Ask Frank
Customers often ask questions about Quick Ship Metals products – about custom cuts, how to install kitchen backsplashes, trim, molding, whatnot. Blogger and man of all trades, Frank Ross knows how to dig for answers.
Frank has access to all of the people working at Quick Ship Metals’ fabrication, sales and customer service. So consider this page a forum for all kinds of ideas, questions and best of all – answers.
Enter questions in the “Your Comment” box.
Ask Frank your how-to or DIY questions.
Janice, that sounds like an interesting project with great potential visually and gastronomically! You should use our 2″ .020/24-gauge copper foil strips. Here’s a handy link that should get you there quickly. Good luck with your project, and let me know how it turns out. I love a good steak and might have to try that myself!
http://store.electrical-insulators-and-copper-ground-bars.com/copper-foil–020–thickness—24-guage-copper-foil–020-thickness—24-gauge-x-width-2-00-.html
Thanks for asking Frank
Frank,
I have a deck supported by log posts that sit on stands to keeps the logs from sitting on the concrete and rotting. I am looking for a copper flashing to attach to the bottom of the logs and cover the 3-4″ gap between the log and the concrete. Is there an “L” shaped flashing that would have a 3-4″ height and a perpendicular lip that would rest on the concrete?
Thanks,
Mike
My electric stove abuts the cabinet panel for my refrigerator. I was thinking of adding a stainless steel backsplash from the stovetop level up approximately 16 inches.
Will this protect the cabinet wall from heat/fire; if, sowhat specific type of product should I buy.
I’m an avid cook and came across a cooking method that I’d love to try. The recipe calls for a used wine barrel head to use to “roast” steak. Found a barrel head supplier, but the thing will be huge having the 3 rings and the side staves. My idea, to make it more practical for me, was to just buy the charred used bourbon barrel head which is 24″ round and 1″ thick. The thing is it needs a rim to hold cooking liquid in/on the charred side surface. I was thinking that a copper rim attached around the outside would do the trick and look fabulous. I would need something about 2″ wide and be pliable enough to bend and screw into the white aged American oak and strong enough to make a solid rim. Hope you have a suggestion for me.
Ross, All you have to do is email or fax a drawing of your project with detailed, accurate measurements and the fine folks in customer service will give you a quote very quickly. If you log onto quickshipmetals.com and click on the Live Text & Chat icon they will take care of your needs. Or you could just call the toll-free number 1-888-334-2177. The hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 EST.
Frank–thanks for your response. What is the proceedure if I want to get a quote from you guys to length cut the pieces and make the 3 corner bends (16″ heigh 20 ga. stainless for backsplash) ? The total length is about 12′–could I buy a piece (roll) 16″x12′ ? Thanks—Ross
Hi Rhonda, Our stainless steel Trim molding is not designed as an add on after the fact. Not sure I would try this. You can always go back and add a stainless steel bar stock. Unfortunately we do not carry this item.
Good luck on your project.
Frank
Bill, I wouldn’t recommend using stainless steel as a cooking surface. The heat will discolor the metal and it will quickly become unattractive.
Frank
Hi Frank….I want to use a sheet of stainless on my grill which measures 19 1/4″ x 31 1/2″ to use as a cooking surface….support would just be around the edges…what do you suggest as far as type and thickness and how much would it cost….thanks
From your description, Ross, I’m not sure where the 10” come into play with your design. Will this portion extend up over the drywall you mentioned?
If you plan on bending the material with general household tools, definitely use the 24 GA. Stainless steel is not easy to bend. If you have a larger break or access to a machine shop any thickness will work. You can use up to 20 GA, anything larger is just overkill.
If you would like for us to make custom cuts and a few bends we’ll need a drawing with exact measurements, but I would recommend that you make the cuts for outlets on site.
Thanks for asking Frank
Hi Jennifer, I’m sure your scouts will enjoy tooling copper. If you’ve not read the post I recently wrote on the subject, you’ll find it listed as Techniques for Tooling Copper.
If you do a Google search for copper tooling history you’ll come up with lots of rabbit trails to go down. Unfortunately I’m not aware of any definite source for this information.
Good luck with your scout project.
Frank
Our magnetic stainless steel comes in .030. Since you’ll be attaching the metal to your door thickness isn’t an issue relative to structural support.
Here’s the link for easy reference. Magnetic Stainless Steel
Sorry but we don’t have any resource for recommending installers. I would suggest that you start with your local better business bureau and see who they list as reliable. One of the best sources for finding quality craftsmen is friends that have personal knowledge.
Thanks, and good luck with your kitchen. If you need metal, we’re here to assist with quality product and excellent prices.
Frank–want to work up a stainless backsplash for a concrete counter in my kitchen. The height is 16″–the pieces: 24″,24″,53″,37″. Was planning on folding a 1″lip on two of the pieces and a 10″ on the long one. Will be cutting for receptacles. The walls are sheetrock. What do you suggest?
I am the Director of the local Cub Scout Day Camp. We will be doing copper tooling with the boys in July. The theme of our camp is “Adventures Through Time” and we would like to tell the boys a little bit about the history of tooling. Can you point me in the right direction to find this information?
I want to learn more about having stainless steel countertops installed in my kitchen at home.
Can you recommend a craftsman in the Chicagoland area?
NFT
I want to cover my office doors with steel so I can use magnets. like a magnetic bulletin board idea.
What would I use for that. 16 gauge ok?
Hi Frank, I have just installed a metal laminate backsplash similar to your hammered product. J-molding was not used on the initial install so now I’m looking for a metal molding that I can use to cover the seam between the countertop and the backsplash. I see your inside corner mold but again, my application is after the fact so the laminate will not slide into the molding as shown in your pic. The seam is quite small so I would really like as small a molding as possible. Any suggestions?
Hi Ted, That’s a great use for Diamond Plate and we have just the thing for the job. Go to this link and scroll down to the section on Corner Protection.
http://www.quickshipmetals.com/mancabeideas.html
These are manufactured in standard 3″ x 3″ widths and are available in either 48″ or 96″, so you can easily cut them down to the size you need.
You’ll have one fine-looking shed when you’re done.
Thanks for asking Frank
Hi Frank!
I ‘d like to add a piece of diamond plate aluminum on the entrance to my shed to protect the edge from damage when I pull the garden accessories in (ie:small lawn tractor). What size do you recommend? I would need @ 4 feet. Thanks
Morning Gary, In response to your question, the .063, .080 and .125 will bend very easy. The .250 is a structure grade aluminum and if you bend it the metal will break. You will be able to bend the .063 with just a few tools.
Good luck dressing up your wrecker and thanks for asking Frank
I want to use aluminum diamond plate to cover some rust and dress up my wrecker. In order to make it look right I would like to make a 90 degree bend. Does the diamond plate bend easily with a brake or does it tend to crack?
Anthony, I’ve been doing to checking with some friends in the restaurant business to get feedback on your question, and finally got what I think is a realistic look at this challenge. First of all, the question of durability will depend largely on the structure that supports the stainless, and how it is to be transported about. The input that I’ve gotten is that restaurant employees are not very gentle with the equipment they are provided to work with, and you need to think “tank” when you design this grill. Given the right framework, the 12-gauge stainless in question should be well suited to this purpose. As far as the durability of stainless, it will last a lot longer than the framework it covers.
Thanks for asking Frank
Hi Frank I am a fabricator in Southern California. I have a request from a restaurant that would like a portable grill. The grill does not need a top and must be sturdy. The chef would like to move it into a seating area using charcoal to grill steaks burgers and so forth. And then be able to move it promptly. Everything prefabricated seems to be way too flimsy. The chef says the cooking area must be about 2′ x 4′ with a few different levels. My question for you is will 12gauge stainless steel look good and hold up? It is an upscale restaurant with an outdoor seating area. Anthony
Rocco, I can get you started in the right direction, but with the limited amount of information you’ve provided it would be impossible for me to make a recommendation on how to make it water tight other than soldering the overlapped seams. The critical question is how are you joining the copper to the structure and what type of treatment will you give the edges. I also have some concern about recommending a gauge when you want it to support snow but have not said what the distance is between the supports the copper will be attached to. What is the thickness of the lattice, and are there additional supporting beams under the lattice. If not, I would doubt that it would hold any amount of snow accumulation, especially a heavy wet snow. With these concerns, I would say 24 gauge copper is the very minimum gauge of copper sheeting you should consider. You might want to check the building codes in your area to see what weight loads are normal for roof construction.
Hi Oskar, That should be a great looking trailer, as well as very functional with the ramp dressed out in Diamond Plate. We are happy to do custom cuts. Just give our customer service staff a call, and they’ll work up a price for you. The toll-free number is 1-888-334-2177.
Thanks for asking Frank
Hi Barry, I’m afraid you’ll have to keep on looking. We wouldn’t be able to do the design and fitting of a dishwasher without having it in hand. I’d recommend you look for a local metal shop.
Good luck with your search.
Frank
Hi Vanessa, For this project, 24 gauge copper sheet will work great. You can also use the copper foil, which would be easier to cut. The 24 gauge copper sheet must be cut with a shear. Use Storm Copper Coat to preserve the “new shinny penny look”.
Thanks for asking Frank
I a m working on my Motocross Race Trailer and want to cover the Ramp with Diamond Plate. The dimensions are as follow 70 1/2″ x 73 1/4″ and 16″ x 69″.
What would you recommend and does your company cut to specification. Would love to have a price.
Thanks
Oskar
Frank
I have an outdoor pergola approx 10′ X 14′ with an open lattice roof. It does not provide adequate shade from the sun and, more importantly, it obviously does not provide shelter from the rain. I therefore want to install/construct a flat decorative roof. The pergola is not an inexpensive dyi project but, rather, an elaborate, expensive structure so I do not want the typical canvas awning. I have been searching for months on the internet for ideas and now came upon your website.My questions are (1) what gauge of copper would you recommend – I will need to drill small holes through it to screw the copper to the lattice and it must be able to support snow and withstand winds (I live in the Northeast) and (2) how do I affix the panels to each other to make the roof water-tight?
Your anticipated prompt response is sincerely appreciated.
Hi Frank,
I am creating an outdoor kitchen and would like to use sheets of copper to cover the cabinet doors instead of sheets of stainless steel. Is it possible to use sheets of copper and if so, what thickness do you recommend. One more thing, the kitchen, including the doors, are under a pergola so all would be exposed to the elements. Thanks for considering my question.
Vanessa
Hi Frank!
Though ive been looking for awhile, i cant seem to find a [mobile?] stainless steel dishwasher; that is- a regular household size dishwasher that has wheels, but more importantly, stainless steel sides and top. We are not looking to roll it around, but the sparse style of the kitchen design requires that the sides and top of the dishwasher be exposed to one’s eye… ….in this kitchen there will be few overhead cabinets and NO undermount cabinets or countertops. any countertop space will be provided by tables..i found a Siemens dishwasher SM25M830, that looks like what im looking for, but its made for europe only [50hz]….know any one that can custom fabricate st.steel sides and top for a dishwasher, but does not exceed the cost of the dishwasher?
Thanks for your help!!
BARRY
Hi Alicia, That will be a nice father’s day present. Aluminum is one of the softest metals available today. It is very easy to drill through. If all you’re going to be hanging on the Aluminum Diamond Plate will be license plates, the only issue you’ll have is keeping the DP from bowing away from the wall. Depending on the length you use, that should be an easy remedy by anchoring the middle edges to the wall with screws. Or, you could frame it in with a decorative piece of molding. I’d go with the thinner gauge, .063. Send me a photo when you’re done. It should be a very nice addition to any man’s shop.
Thanks for asking Frank
I am working on an art project. My Dad collects old license plates for his garage, and I wanted to mount some on a piece of diamond aluminum. I’m not sure if I can drill through this material. What would be the best thickness for this sort of project?
Thanks!
Looking at the product detail for this mail box, I would not recommend it for the location and installation you describe. The quality of the stainless must be marginal because it says “It is possible that this item will rust if placed near salt water, polish daily to avoid this.” I don’t know about you, but the chances of me polishing a mailbox daily are minuscule.
Return the mailbox if possible.
Frank
I bought ss mailbox. http://www.chiasso.com/shopping/modern-outdoor-accessories/mailboxes/signo-letter-box.aspx
I would like to mount this on a ss plate with spacers and then mount the ss plate on a ss pole and stick that into a hole in the ground. Sort of high tech look. I live about 1/4 mile from the ocean. What can you recommend? I was going to screw the mailbox to the back plate with chrome screws.Thanks.
Marc, that should be a sharp looking Jeep when you get the diamond plate installed. It would be possible to use a metal-to-metal glue, but with the vibration, road dirt and exposure to heat and cold I’m concerned that in time they would part company. In really cold weather the steel in the door would contract at a different rate than the aluminum, and hot summer days would see the reverse. My recommendation would be to use rivets.
Thanks for asking Frank
Hi Jennifer, I believe you mean thickness, not width. Gauge is a term that is applied to thickness, and which particular thickness you need will depend on the project you have in mind. You didn’t mention what you were going to do with the metal, so please provide that information so I can help you decide what you need.
Thanks, Frank
Hi, Can you suggest a way for me to measure the width ( gauge ) of sheet steel? When I try to order, I am supposed to already know, but I don’t. I need the sheet to be thin enough to work with , but not so thin that I can emboss it. Nor too thick!
Thank you for any help.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
I own a 2000 Jeep Cherokee sport. There is a bit of rust on the driver’s side door, at the bottom. I am going to get rid of the rust, bondo it and then want to cover the bottom of all four doors in diamond plate. What would be the best method of attaching diamond plate to my doors?
Good morning Amy, that’s a new concept and no one had ever tried it here, so some testing was done in our shop. The dry erase markers will not come off of the stainless, so you will need to get a dry-erase board for that purpose.
Thanks for asking Frank
We ordered a couple of the magnetic stainless steels; we’re wondering can we write on them with dry erase pens? Will it come off or will it stain the metal?
many thanks
Brian, you are undertaking a fun project that will look great with the quilted stainless steel. This is a very durable metal that is as carefree outdoors as it is inside. You won’t have any problems in either situation and there are no special maintenance issues because stainless steel is not a coating like chrome, the mixture is consistent through the entire sheet. Road dirt or film may be an issue over time, but you can wash and wax it just like any metal surface. Send me a photo. I’d love to see the finished project. Oh, one more thing; our stainless steel expert suggested that you should make sure you have the plastic pink flamingos to complete the 50s look!
Thanks for asking Frank
Brian, you are undertaking a fun project that will look great with the quilted stainless steel. This is a very durable metal that is as carefree outdoors as it is inside. You won’t have any problems in either situation and there are no special maintenance issues because stainless steel is not a coating like chrome, the mixture is consistent through the entire sheet. Road dirt or film may be an issue over time, but you can wash and wax it just like any metal surface. Send me a photo. I’d love to see the finished project.
Thanks for asking Frank
Hi David, you didn’t specify which way the bend was to be formed, and with a rectangle of those dimensions the difference could be significant. Our staff did some experimenting in the shop and would recommend either 24 or 22 gauge metal. Anything thicker will be pretty stiff and more difficult to bend. Also, they have some concern about your “self-supporting” statement. If this project is going to be exposed to the wind, you should consider making a frame to support and stabilize the metal. If exposed to wind, a piece of metal this size would make quite a kite! Good luck with your project, and thanks for asking Frank.
I am restoring a 1957 12′ Tour-A-Home vintage travel trailer. I think a quilted stainless backsplash would look great inside above the counter and also OUTSIDE in to the left and right of the picture window. Are there any concerns for exterior use? Any maintenance or treatment issues?
Thanks!
B. Cools
I live in Southern Arizona.I want to make a solar water heater using 12 X 48 inch sheets of #8 mirror finish stainless steel bent lengthwise to make parabolic reflector. What guage would be easyly enough formed over a homemade jig yet sturdy enough to be self supporting?
Afternoon Glo, you’ve picked the right product. Diamond plate aluminum will dress up that trailer nicely. You should use .063 for the rock guard on the front and for the steps move up to .080 for the increased traffic. We can cut the Diamond Plate to fit your measurements, and that should simplify the job quite a bit. Just log on and click on the Live Chat icon, provide the exact measurements and you’ll get a fast, accurate quote.
Thanks for asking Frank
I have a horse trailer with some major rust on the front, I would like to sand and clean it and cover it up with some sort of diamond design sheeting i need a piece about 10′ by about 8″ wide and a piece to cover all the steps any ideas on how to do that?
Hi Cathy,
For this application, 24 gauge copper sheeting would be ideal. You could use copper foil, but it won’t lay down as smoothly. The price for .020 36” x 60” copper sheeting is $198.77, with Free Shipping. Good luck on your project, and send a photo when you’re done. We’d love to see the completed project.
Thanks for asking Frank