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tibberous
Stranger

Registered: 12/26/04
Posts: 1,194
Last seen: 3 months, 25 days
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Stainless steel shower surround?
#14562827 - 06/05/11 12:32 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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I'm trying to make a shower surround but have never worked with stainless steel. I'm thinking you could build a shell out of wood, line the wood with steel plates, then seal the seams.
Sealing the seems is the part I'm most confused on. Welding is probably the best way, but I'd have to buy an arc welder, welding helmet and I think a special electrode -- plus I'd have to learn how to weld.
Other ideas are:
- Solder, since I already have a good brazing torch, and solder. Might be worth getting a soldering iorn. - JB Weld - Silicone / Calk (don't think it would hold up over time)
As ghetto as it sounds, I'm kind of leaning towards the JB Weld. I'll be able to get it in the seem perfectly - just not sure how it will hold up to long-term use and water.
Anyone have any advice? Think a stainless steel shower surround will be cool? Even if I make it myself - it's going to be about $400-600. A big chunk of that is because I need textured stainless steel for the bottom, to keep from slipping. I'm thinking if it's done right it will last forever and be super easy to clean.
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pipe dope
ghetto plumber


Registered: 10/24/09
Posts: 220
Loc: windy shitty
Last seen: 11 years, 11 months
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Re: Stainless steel shower surround? [Re: tibberous]
#14563211 - 06/05/11 04:09 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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I think it'll rust like crazy. Maybe if you lined it with plastic.
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Re: Stainless steel shower surround? [Re: tibberous]
#14563608 - 06/05/11 08:24 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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you could get 11 or 16 gauge stainless from numerous sources but you're going to be hard pressed to cut it with tools available to you, your best bet would to get the measurements and hit a metal fab shop to have them weld it up because welding stainless is different than carbon steel
the 300 series of stainless it perfect for your use, either 304 or 316 series, it'll be a polished stainless and if you want the brushed look just spray it down with a light oil like wd-40 and hit it with a belt sander with the finest grit paper you can find, I'd opt for a higher polish as opposed to brushed
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eatshrOOms88
jedi like cultivator in training



Registered: 05/16/11
Posts: 82
Loc: the deep south
Last seen: 12 years, 6 months
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Re: Stainless steel shower surround? [Re: Prisoner#1]
#14563633 - 06/05/11 08:33 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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no do not use jb weld you will regret it in the long run. just get the proper welding equipment and watch some vids on you tube on how to weld that what i did and i welded the metal housing for a wheel to this metal cart for doors at my dads cabinet shop and its still holding up just fine 8 years later, i just put a shit ton of weld on it and made sure i penetrated the metal and it worked fine. it doesn't have to look pretty.
-------------------- The interpretation of dreams is the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind
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eatshrOOms88
jedi like cultivator in training



Registered: 05/16/11
Posts: 82
Loc: the deep south
Last seen: 12 years, 6 months
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Re: Stainless steel shower surround? [Re: eatshrOOms88]
#14563641 - 06/05/11 08:37 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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and you don't need the texture steel at all they make some type of clear paint stuff with grit in it made just for the bottom of showers when its marble or granite but im sure it would work with metal
-------------------- The interpretation of dreams is the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind
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TheEnd
Strange Daze

Registered: 09/04/06
Posts: 1,021
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Re: Stainless steel shower surround? [Re: eatshrOOms88]
#14570929 - 06/06/11 06:56 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Welding stainless requires a TIG welder, and a lot of welding knowledge will help out a lot. Sorry, but learning how to TIG weld is not as easy as looking up stuff on youtube and just going at it. It takes many, many hours of practice to get a clean strong weld. I wouldn't suggest even trying TIG to someone that doesn't already have at least some basic welding knowledge such as MIG(wirefeed) or ARC(stick welding). MIG and ARC are fairly easy to learn the basics, its also easy to lay down some booger welds, but laying down a good line of dimes takes a lot of practice.
My suggestion is to either buy the shower already fabricated, or pay someone who is certified at TIG to do it for you.
Some DIY jobs shouldn't be attempted if you don't already have the knowledge and hands on experience.
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Re: Stainless steel shower surround? [Re: TheEnd]
#14573966 - 06/07/11 11:28 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
TheEnd said: Welding stainless requires a TIG welder
nope... it can also be done with MIG and ARC, I did it almost every day for a few years with a MIG gun and learned a bit about TIG, as I stated, the technique is different for a good stainless weld than with carbon so the experience is a must
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TheEnd
Strange Daze

Registered: 09/04/06
Posts: 1,021
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Re: Stainless steel shower surround? [Re: Prisoner#1]
#14577759 - 06/08/11 12:46 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Prisoner#1 said:
Quote:
TheEnd said: Welding stainless requires a TIG welder
nope... it can also be done with MIG and ARC, I did it almost every day for a few years with a MIG gun and learned a bit about TIG, as I stated, the technique is different for a good stainless weld than with carbon so the experience is a must
I stand corrected.
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