I am nearly finished with my salt tanks...

But I am having a Hel of a time finding a piece of stainless steel tubing! I am looking for 4-5" outer diameter, 3/8" wall thickness and 36" long. Found some 1/4" thicknesses but I really don't want to have to replace anything on this sucker for a while.

I've tried a bunch of search engines and haven't come up with anything in New England. I'd be willing to pay for shipping if I can find a good deal.

Anyone have suggestions?

Online metals has 4 and 4.5 inch stainless pipe in schedule 80. It will range around .330 in wall thickness, but it is very pricey. www.onlinemetals.com (http://www.onlinemetals.com) If you find a cheaper source please let me know as I have been thinking of building a salt pot myself.
Where are you getting the salts?
Mike

Yikes Mike,

$675 for the 3/8" wall 4" OD x 36" in 316. You weren't kidding when you said they were pricey. On the wrong side of the sandpile too.

Mac Steel, a local unit here in Vermont said they could get me something for $300 in 304.

They have a piece of 1/4" wall & 4" OD 304 stainless for $75.

I'm going to try that and inspect it often. If I have to replace that once a year it'll be a deal but in the meantime I can keep looking for the big piece.

I am making my high temp salts... equal parts calcium chloride and sodium chloride. For the low salts I am using brownell's bluing salts.

Anyone else out there find a good source for stainless pipe let us know!

You might try a stainless fabricator, or a pharmaceutical manufacturer in the area. I spent 10 years in the industry and 316 and 304 S/S is required for just about everything they do these days. I don't know your exact location, but I know there are a lot of phama manufacturers in that area. They may have a name or an old piece of scrap you could have. I know I used to send about 2000 lbs a year of S/S to the scrap yard.

If you don't come up with anything drop me a line and I'll dig around for a name or two for you.

Thanks Mondt,

I just picked up the 1/4" Wall material and I'll weld it up tonight. I found some scrap that looked like stainless plumbing which was almost perfect but too short. I wondered then if it was pharmaceutical. There's some medical equipment specialists who advertise 'stainless,' around here but they turned out to be needles.

I'll put the word out if this stuff doesn't hold up.

Thanks!

If anybody comes up with a source for these at a reasonable price, please let me know. I need a piece about 16 to 18 inches long, as none of my knives are over 14 inches long. Most are around 8 to 9 OAL.
Mike

THERE IS A MM MARS PLANT HERE. ALL OF THEIR SUPPLY LINES ARE STAINLESS. I HAVE A FRIEND, A PIPEFITTER, WHO WORKS AT THIS PLANT AND I WILL SEE IF THERE IS A SCRAP PILE.
16-18 INCHES LONG
4 INCH MINIMUM DIAMETER
YOU GUYS EMAIL ME IF THIS IS OK AND I WILL BE ABLE TO EMAIL YOU THE RESULTS.
KEN (WWJD)

saw you were still looking for a piece of 4" s/80 s.s. pipe.
I have a piece of 4" s/80 (.337) duplex stainless pipe.
how long do you need it. maybe we can workout a deal