Bending stainless rod

[doug748]

Apologies for I am sure this has been aired recently. I want to bend a piece of 8mm stainless round bar, in order to make a drop nose pin for the anchor. I am pretty sure it is work hardened stuff, possibly old rod rigging.
What will happen if I just wallop it over in a vice? (pretty sure I know the answer).
Can I soften it? I only have access to a gas blowlamp.
Thanks.

 

[vyv_cox]

If it's rod rigging it is likely to be hard drawn, perhaps Nitronic 50 stainless steel. You will probably not be able to bend it in its current condition without introducing cracks. Annealing temperature for this material is slightly more than 1000 degrees Celsius.

I suggest you ask a machine shop or fabricator for a short length of stainless steel rod, either 304 or 316. This will be in the annealed condition and you will be able to bend it quite easily.

 

[matelot]

Bend it and see - you've nothing much to lose. Stainless can be bent without problem - what you cant do with austenitics is bend and re-bend. And annealing to restore the structure needs more than 1000C which you wont get with a blowlamp.

When you have bent it, clean up the surface if necessary and check for cracks with a magnifying glass.

Stalok rod rigging is 316 so whether yours is nitronic or not I dont know

 

[simonfraser]

wear safety spex please !

 

[earlybird]

How long is the pin to be? I once used a long 8mm bolt, which had a 75mm long plain shank, cutting off the threaded portion and slotting the end. Since it comes with a hex. head, bending wasn't neccessary. Stronger than 304/316 as well. Vice and hammer won't result in a pretty job.

 

[Heckler]

For what it costs to buy a new one it hardly seems worth it, if you have nothing to lose , go for it, if it doesnt work, Hey. If you are worried about it failing then dont do it, buy new, if you want to play, again, go for it.
Stu

 

[doug748]

Thanks for the response everyone. I have just got back form the shed. The application of a lump hammer moved it so little that I have sadly abandoned that plan.
It drills and files quite well so I will fabricate the drop nose pin and screw and rivet a nut on t'other end.
As has been suggested I could just buy one
......but I don't think I will.