Anyone have a good (cheap) source for stainless steel

[Hennesseystealth]

I am going to cover my galley counter top with stainless steel. I am trying to find a piece of 316L at 24" x 60". All I can find from my local suppliers is 48x120 for over $100. I just hate to waste money and good material. I am in NorCal.

Thanks

[shootr]

Does it have to be 316? That's pretty heavy duty in the corrosion resistance category, food uses are usually OK with 304.

Might be less expensive, but I don't know in sheeting.

[Hennesseystealth]

304 is fine too but the prices I found weren't much different, so I was opting for the better product.

[Redneck Teepee]

A local Sheet Metal shop should be able to help you with a drop or rem sitting in their rack and only charge you for the actual size and maybe some shear/forming time if needed.

[Hennesseystealth]

Good idea.

[Jiminsav]

If you have a McElroy Metal place close by, try them..i got 4x10 sheets of aluminum there at a good price.

[ctstaas]

IMHO, Stainless steel is around 3 x $ of mild steel but you get what you pay for. True Fact-Food grade SS is not magnetizable. Imagine having metal slivers magnetized to your counter top.
Enjoy, Chris

[Hennesseystealth]

The reason for stainless is it is much harder to cut into with a knife. No McElroys out here in CA as far as I can tell. And yes, I definitely want Austenite.

[cheri832]

Try a salvage restaurant supply. I redid kitchen counters in stainless when I lived in TX and I was picking up beautiful rolled front pieces for $30-$50. Just an option.

[Hennesseystealth]

Try a salvage restaurant supply. I redid kitchen counters in stainless when I lived in TX and I was picking up beautiful rolled front pieces for $30-$50. Just an option.

Found a local company that makes industrial fryers and cookers in stainless and seeing if they would sell a small piece or direct me to a supplier that will. I am hoping they have scrap in their process and will be willing to let it go.

[Hennesseystealth]

My aluminum supplier now carries 4'x8' 24 gauge in 304 with a #4 finish for only $66. While I still end up with waste, it isn't as bad as the larger sheet I was originally quoted.

[Esteban]

My aluminum supplier now carries 4'x8' 24 gauge in 304 with a #4 finish for only $66. While I still end up with waste, it isn't as bad as the larger sheet I was originally quoted.

How much does a square foot of 24 gauge stainless steel weigh? if it's not too heavy I may use it too.

Google is my friend. Found out it weighs 1.008 pounds per square foot.
engineeringtoolbox.com Gauge and Weight Chart

I would need about 8 sq.ft. for my galley's 18" x 62"counter top. That would weigh about 8 lbs. Good if all the details could come together. Would need a source for the stainless steel and someone to cut and bend it to the size and shape needed.

[Hennesseystealth]

I thought about the next build...if that ever happens. Given the issues I have with finger prints and surface contaminants that stick to mill finish aluminum, I was thinking about 304 as a substitute. It is about 2x the price, but also 2-3X the weight, which is a bigger deal.