Tell me something

[OSSCA]

300 series stainless is basically the same.I work in the metalworking industry,if i were to hand you a piece of 302(18-8) and a piece of 304 unless you looked under a microscope at a cross section you wouldn't notice any difference.316 is much harder due to both a higher nickel content and processing,all wire is drawn to size from a larger diameter so if you draw .312 18-8 down to .100 it'll be hard as a rock due to the density of the drawn material.Most of the hardware store wire is drawn from wire thats within .020" of the finish diameter so the difference beetween 302,304,308 is minimal.

[ProfessorM]

When I think of soft stainless I think 303. I am also looking at these materials as far as machinability. 303 machines like butter compared to 304 with 316 a little more of PIA. Never machined any 308 but i would think it would be like 303. If you want the best go with 316. Not an expert on wire. Thanks for the info. OSSCA. Learn something every day. P.

[OSSCA]

316 IMO is the best choice

[Charleston]

The use of 316 is bt far better but the way I see it: You will loose the plug long before 304 or 308 let you down!

[capesams]

I think we all agree 316 is the longest lasting,,best wire...But it's a bitch to work with if using plyer's by hand....now back to the annealed wire...there has to be something between soft and rock hard 316,,,where's the middle ground here??

[ProfessorM]

I would have to say 308 gets my vote. Very easy to work with using plyers.

[OSSCA]

Here's a link to Carpenter Technology's website,These guys are the world leader in top quality stainless hope it helps http://www.cartech.com/

[wheresmy50]

Originally Posted by capesams

I think we all agree 316 is the longest lasting,,best wire...But it's a bitch to work with if using plyer's by hand....now back to the annealed wire...there has to be something between soft and rock hard 316,,,where's the middle ground here??

I don't think you can temper 316, so cold worked would be as hard as 316 gets. I'm no metalurgist, but the annealed wire has to cold work to some extent just by twisting it. Maybe someone could shed some light on that.

You know . . . you could just use titanium.

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by wheresmy50

You know . . . you could just use titanium.

I do but very pricey$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[capesams]

you can turn 316 into putty if you heat it..but who wants to be a fire bug everytime you want to bend a nose loop or tail...now! I've been making some very small noses on some cherry needles..and with the 316/308 it's been splitting the nose of some plug's ..this need's to stop..to much work involved in these little begger's to be tossing them in the trash.