"Ted" wrote in message
...
What is the best way to make a cone from 18 gauge stainless steel? I need
it to be 23" diameter one end, 16" diameter the other end, 18" long.
Can a template from cardboard or somethimg be made, how would I go about
it?
Will be tig welded at the seam.

How accurate does it have to be, Tim? Is it a cone for appearance's sake, or
some basic function, or does it have to precisely fit into or onto something
else?

Laying it out can be done by drawing two half-circles on cardboard and
transferring the shape. Or, if you have a beam compass that will stretch to
46", you can lay it out directly on the stainless. With good practice you
probably can get your shape accurate enough for most uses that way. And, for
one-time use, you can make a temporary beam compass out of a piece of wood
lath and a couple of nails.

The tough part with stainless is, first, cutting it so it doesn't warp; and
then bending it so it makes a smooth shape. It will try hard to defeat you.
d8-)

I have some tricks I use for jobs like that but others here probably have
better solutions. Unless you want a lumpy mess, don't cut it with tin snips.

--
Ed Huntress