Should I use aluminium or stainless sheet?

[Otter]

We're in the process of refitting the galley, I've ordered the worktop and want to put sheet metal around the back and sides of the oven and hob, it looks good, it's safe and easy to wipe down. I thought I'd extend it and fit it as the splash back as well (unless other ideas?). I planned on using 0.9mm and would prefer aluminium as it's so easy to cut but doesn't it go dull and mottled after a while? How easy would it be to cut the stainless sheet and would it suffer from those surface rust stains you get on galley items?

 

[Nigel-in-Oxford]

Angle grinder with a thin cutting disk make short work of SS, a power file to tidy up. Make sure to use cobalt drills. I've never worked with thin sheet but cant see why it should present a problem.

 

[sailorman]

Angle grinder with a thin cutting disk make short work of SS, a power file to tidy up. Make sure to use cobalt drills. I've never worked with thin sheet but cant see why it should present a problem.

why cobalt drills, i seem to manage with HSS ones

 

[Stork_III]

I have textured SS sheet round the oven area. 11 years old unmarked,no rust stains. Don't use Aluminium, it will dull and become scratched/dented.

 

[JumbleDuck]

A local architectural stainless fabricator was very happy to make a backing plate for my charcoal stove in 3mm mirror-finish stainless. Trimming a bit of 0.9mm would be a quick bit of work with a guillotine for someone with the right kit.

 

[KevO]

I just spruced up my galley area and installed 1mm stainless sheets on either side of the cooker (each about 400mm x 300mm if I recall) to act as a heatshield/splashback thingy.

I had the sheets cut on a guillotine there and then at ABS in Falmouth, about £10 the pair. I then drilled 'em and smoothed off the edges etc. They look nice (better than aluminium IMHO) and do the job very well.

 

[KellysEye]

I agree about stainless steel and cobalt drills. The surface of Aluminium oxidises giving a white surface as you see on Aluminium unpainted yacht hulls, that does however stop corrosion.

 

[KevO]

I agree about stainless steel and cobalt drills. The surface of Aluminium oxidises giving a white surface as you see on Aluminium unpainted yacht hulls, that does however stop corrosion.

Oh yeah, cobalt drill bit, drop of oil applied to the area periodically, slow speed, steady pressure, job done :encouragement:

 

[sailorman]

Oh yeah, cobalt drill bit, drop of oil applied to the area periodically, slow speed, steady pressure, job done :encouragement:

no different to HSS then

 

[KevO]

no different to HSS then

I never said it was. I just went with the instructions from the steel supplier. 2 x cobalt drill bits in a duo pack from Toolstation for less than £3. It worked for me, you use HSS if that works for you mate. Whatever gets the job done

 

[Otter]

Can you cut 0.9mm cleanly with amateur tools?

 

[Blueboatman]

Its mirror finish is its worst enemy if you handle or drill or bend it in a er amateur ( ie cackfisted) way. Templates for the panels, a pro cutter, collect, mount, I would suggest

Remember the house of mirrors at the funfair?

You have rejected the formica finishes I assume.


EDIT: Sure you can cut it with a powertool or a hacksaw, the trick is to clamp it with wood battens over the edge of a bench to avoid undue vibration or 'chatter', creases or saw jambs that will tear it or bend it, but yes it is straightforward. And blurry sharp on the edges..
And dont scratch it with the base of say the power jigsaw, use masking tape, or cut through a thin batten as well.

 

[ianabc]

Galley counter top, over fridge and around sink all stainless steel sheet

recycled from a local restaurant.

glued down with polyurethane construction adhesive and lots of bricks as weights plus wood struts sprung between pads on new countertop and overhead.

 

[Graham_Wright]

why cobalt drills, i seem to manage with HSS ones

+1 - it's a myth.

 

[Otter]

Regarding mirror finish - should I go for brushed stainless steel then?

 

[Stork_III]

Regarding mirror finish - should I go for brushed stainless steel then?

Diamond pattern.

 

[Otter]

For a splash back? Won't greasy stuff get in the grooves or am I thinking of something else?

 

[Stork_III]

For a splash back? Won't greasy stuff get in the grooves or am I thinking of something else?

Should have said Raised diamond pattern. Easily cleaned and does not mark easily.

 

[Blueboatman]

Regarding mirror finish - should I go for brushed stainless steel then?

Hmm, brushed looks greasy and like aluminium..look at some internet boat adverts maybe but I would go full shine and just be aware that it must be stuck down carefully and evenly ( say, using plywood pressure plates to keep it flat, then wedge sticks across the aperture to press the whole lot into place)

What do others do on same boat refurb?

( BTW I have plain old white formica. Some have stunning black but it is inevitably a darker space to work..Style over substance to this writer)

 

[coopec]

Angle grinder with a thin cutting disk make short work of SS, .

I have previously gone to sheet metal shops and paid to have the s/s sheet guillotined and folded but you can do it at home.

The only thing I would suggest in addition to what Nigel has said is to "G" clamp a metal strip and use that as a straight edge. (run the cutting disc against the metal strip). The edge then only need a slight file to remove any burring. (The result is perfect)

When I fold I place the metal between two pieces of angle iron and then clamp the angle iron using a vise and "G" clamp. Then I fold using a piece of timber and mallet.