Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

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Has anyone ever tried to make pots and pans? I can't do it yet since I've never done stainless. I'm just thinking about future projects.Do what it takes to get the job done right.
Reply:I would like to know an answer to this as well.  I'm thinking about giving it a shot.  Wondering how bad the warping issue is going to be.
Reply:Most SS pots and pans are a sandwich of ss, aluminum and SS done in some giant roller presses and then punched and stretched through die to get the pot shape. Progressive dies with lubrication through the process. Not really something that would go too well in a small shop. I have seen some SS sectional cake pans done in home shop for wedding cakes layers but that's all I have seen from shops.
Reply:Pressing/punching them is definitely not an option. I don't have a shop. I was just thinking of a future personal project. I think it'd be cool to have some stainless steel pots and pans that I've made myself. I think I could weld together or cut out a strip of stainless that is the circumference of the pot/pan, bend/hammer it into shape with some auto body tools or something to get it into the right shape. Cut out a circle for the bottom and weld them together. throw a handle on it too of courseDo what it takes to get the job done right.
Reply:Watch this and see if you think you ca do it? If the link doesnt work just google "how its made pots" thats what I did.http://videos.howstuffworks.com/scie...ware-video.htmMiller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:That's what i expected. I'll have to figure out how to do it without the press mold.Do what it takes to get the job done right.
Reply:What about making it from flat plate, cut out the desired sizes and weld them together. Nobody ever said they HAVE to be round, you could make them square, pentagon, octagon or what ever shape you can dream up and build since your doing it for yourself. You could make the sides go straight up or have them tapering outward from the bottom up, You could probably do some from hot rolled steel and season it as you would a cast iron pot or skillet. I've seen a few fish frying pots made this way, used on a propane burner. Some used a piece of pipe with a round bottom, some with flat plat, built square. While your at it you could make matching utencils to go with them, forks, tongs, ladles and such.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauWhat about making it from flat plate, cut out the desired sizes and weld them together. Nobody ever said they HAVE to be round, you could make them square, pentagon, octagon or what ever shape you can dream up and build since your doing it for yourself. You could make the sides go straight up or have them tapering outward from the bottom up, You could probably do some from hot rolled steel and season it as you would a cast iron pot or skillet. I've seen a few fish frying pots made this way, used on a propane burner. Some used a piece of pipe with a round bottom, some with flat plat, built square. While your at it you could make matching utencils to go with them, forks, tongs, ladles and such.
Reply:I don't think the SS aluminum sandwich combo is going to work if your cutting and welding the pieces together. Think SS only in this application. There will most likely be issues with trying to weld with these dissimilar metals in close proximity to each other. In the video they were using powerful presses and heat to join them, neither of which you have access to in all probability. Use the metal you want but it should be 100% one kind or another(SS, Al. or steel). TIG would most likely be the most preferred method of doing this project IMO, but MIG or stick would work depending on the material and finished appearance considerations.
Reply:Do you think it'd be possible to spot weld the sandwich, apply heat to the area to be hammered, and, while it's hot, form it over an anvil? If I'm hammering it as one piece, maybe only weld the handle on, wouldn't that be similar to the presses, just a little slower?Do what it takes to get the job done right.
Reply:[QUOTE=Bistineau;654251]I don't think the SS aluminum sandwich combo is going to work     Think SS only in this application.        There will most likely be issues with trying to weld with these dissimilar metals in close proximity to each other.  Use the metal you want, but it should be 100% one kind or another(SS, Al. or steel). You can TRY the heating and beating method but it seems like ALOT more effort than it needs to be Let us know how THAT turns out. Personally I would use one type of metal for the whole thing rather than try to hybridize something like that.The square pancake skillet sound kinda cool, pour the batter all the way to the edges so the panckes are shaped like the skillet. Then you can tell anyone eating them you want to insure they are getting a square meal.Last edited by Bistineau; 01-09-2012 at 04:32 PM.
Reply:I think the heat and beat method you want to try, will leave you with Hammer marks all over your new cooking pot. But if that's the look you want, go fer it.
Reply:Sounds like a good plan. Why would the pots they make be sandwiched? Aluminum in the middle to add thickness and save on the cost of using thicker SS?Ha, corny but it's a good idea.Do what it takes to get the job done right.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauI think the heat and beat method you want to try, will leave you with Hammer marks all over your new cooking pot. But if that's the look you want, go fer it.
Reply:Couldn't you cut your sheet metal into two pieces, one for the bottom and one that is the depth by circumference of your pot?  Roll the long piece into a loop, and weld it, then weld on the bottom, and a handle.  Why wouldn't this work?__David Hillman
Reply:Originally Posted by dumb as a stumpWatch this and see if you think you ca do it? If the link doesnt work just google "how its made pots" thats what I did.http://videos.howstuffworks.com/scie...ware-video.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by David HillmanCouldn't you cut your sheet metal into two pieces, one for the bottom and one that is the depth by circumference of your pot?  Roll the long piece into a loop, and weld it, then weld on the bottom, and a handle.  Why wouldn't this work?
Reply:Originally Posted by natesuehrGreat video.  I could watch those "How it's made" videos for hours.
Reply:If I were to do it, I would do them out of copper for a few reasons.1) its more malleable2) its better at transferring heat3) it wont twist and warp as easily as SS usually doesAnd if thats what they made them out of in the earlier years, it must be easier to do by hand as thats how they were made. I would imagine though that the sides were probably rolled and the bottom was made out of another piece and then probably brazed on or something. I have a feeling that if do try to make it out of one piece, the only thing that would be considered a cookware and is one of the oldest sort of pans is a Wok. You can easily do it with any material using a few hammers and sand bag. Up from there which was also kinda popular in the earlier ages is cast pots. Then you'll be able to do it all in one piece if you wished I hope I don't sound too old saying all these things
Reply:Originally Posted by dj55bIf I were to do it, I would do them out of copper for a few reasons.1) its more malleable2) its better at transferring heat3) it wont twist and warp as easily as SS usually doesAnd if thats what they made them out of in the earlier years, it must be easier to do by hand as thats how they were made. I would imagine though that the sides were probably rolled and the bottom was made out of another piece and then probably brazed on or something. I have a feeling that if do try to make it out of one piece, the only thing that would be considered a cookware and is one of the oldest sort of pans is a Wok. You can easily do it with any material using a few hammers and sand bag. Up from there which was also kinda popular in the earlier ages is cast pots. Then you'll be able to do it all in one piece if you wished I hope I don't sound too old saying all these things
Reply:Originally Posted by David HillmanCouldn't you cut your sheet metal into two pieces, one for the bottom and one that is the depth by circumference of your pot?  Roll the long piece into a loop, and weld it, then weld on the bottom, and a handle.  Why wouldn't this work?
Reply:Build a WOK first.  It's simple.  It's primitive - illiterates made 'em for thousands of years.  You can hammer or roll or turn it to shape.It's steel or iron so it seasons well.  It's a very efficient shape.  Then make the accessories:  cover, flame ring, spatulas, that inside rack, weld on handle socket, etc. If that doesn't cure you of your idea to build the things you can easily and cheaply buy,  maybe cast a fry pan!
Reply:Have you looked into metal spinning?As for making copper pots... I found this video. It starts a little slow but it shows a 150 year old kettle shop that's still in operation. It has good footage of a large kettle being hammered around 3:50. Also has some great shots of the old overhead belt driven equipment.
Reply:doh, forgot about spinning
Reply:Originally Posted by dkalleckHammers and a sand bag? I've never heard of that, but I'm only 27 and new to the metal-working world. Is the copper safe in the health aspect? I just read some articles that say the copper would have to be lined, I'm guessing with teflon or something like that.Originally Posted by forhireHave you looked into metal spinning?As for making copper pots... I found this video. It starts a little slow but it shows a 150 year old kettle shop that's still in operation. It has good footage of a large kettle being hammered around 3:50. Also has some great shots of the old overhead belt driven equipment.
Reply:Originally Posted by dj55bYa its like panel beating, also sometimes referred to as shot bags I believe. There should be a few videos online in regards of doing it. Another way which would look alot better, is using an english wheel to roll it with. But that is alot more expensive than a hammer and sand bag.I'm not sure what they consider really safe in that aspect, but you could easily do it out of steel also (a wok that is). Would cost a fraction of the cost too for material. Probably start out with a 1/8" thick piece or so. A good wok has even thicknesses, when beating or even rolling on an english wheel, not everyone seems to get the proper thickness all around. Uneven thickness will translate into uneven heat distribution when cooking. Just something else to keep in mind
Reply:i have made a number of large frying pans for fish and wings out of 316 ss.They usually warp the first time and then seem to settle the last pan was 32 inches across for the local legion they loved it and use it almoost every weekend for fundraisers
Reply:I was thinking about warping. I'm going for just household use.Do what it takes to get the job done right.
Reply:iv made a couple off ss frying pans for our camp out off 316 i cut the bottoms out of plate rolled the edges and then tiged them together one is 24: across and one is 32: across there for big fish frys and chicken wings and they work great
Reply:Originally Posted by andre st georgesiv made a couple off ss frying pans for our camp out off 316 i cut the bottoms out of plate rolled the edges and then tiged them together one is 24: across and one is 32: across there for big fish frys and chicken wings and they work great
Reply:Also, I learned that i can buy scrap metal from work for $0.13 / pound!Do what it takes to get the job done right.
Reply:i rolled the edges over the top using  a beed roller we have at work for making duct work