You might also consider making the prototype in mild steel. And then powder coat it. Probably would not last forever, but still might be the least cost per year of use.
An Engineer is a guy that makes things that any fool can make, but he does it for less money.
=20 Dan
I have a steel cutting blade in my chop saw, so I'm actually a little more advanced than a 4" angle grinder (a LITTLE bit any way).
There is that pesky break in the sides that gives it some lateral stiffness. Other than that, not a bad suggestion.
I'm not sure about using a chop saw with stainless (I don't have one anyway) The problem is that stainless work hardens very easily and possible would using a saw.
I have an extremely slow connection but what you posted looked like a four sided mount. If you want more lateral strength you can either weld stiffeners to the sides, make it out of slightly thicker metal or put a top and bottom on it with a large hole to allow access to internal fasteners.
Buy seriously, if you have a welding machine and can weld a bit then stainless is not at all difficult to arc weld. Use 3/32 rod, of even smaller and grind between passes if necessary. Try a few test pieces and you'll be surprised how easy it is.
You must passivate it though. I don't know about the U.S. but over here every shop that stocks stainless rod also stocks the passivation get/liquid. I've also used various acid containing cleaners - one tile cleaner has 20% acid... but they don't work anywhere as well as the real passivation stuff which contains, IIRC, both nitric and sulphuric acid.
Re: someone else's suggestion. I once built a clip on outboard mount for a soft tail inflatable. Had it galvanized and then painted it with two part paint. Lasted until I sold the boat. Powder coating might also work. Cheers,
John D. Slocomb (jdslocombatgmail)
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