Stainless steel tool and method of forming

Abstract

Mortar joint finishing tools, such as jointers, beaders, and sledrunners are disclosed. The tools may include a stainless steel body. The tools and may be formed by a method such as casting, forging, or stamping.

1 . A mortar joint finishing tool, comprising: 
 a cast stainless steel first mortar-contacting element having a first mortar-contacting surface, the first mortar-contacting surface having a first contour; and    a cast stainless steel second mortar-contacting element adjacent the first mortar-contacting element and having a second mortar-contacting surface, the second mortar-contacting surface having a second contour.    
   
   
       2 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the casting is investment casting.  
   
   
       3 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first mortar-contacting element and the second mortar-contacting element are polished.  
   
   
       4 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first contour is convex.  
   
   
       5 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first contour is concave.  
   
   
       6 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first mortar-contacting element has a longitudinal axis and a cross-section, the cross-section a plane taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the cross-section is shaped as a “U.” 
   
   
       7 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first mortar-contacting element has a longitudinal axis and a cross-section, the cross-section a plane taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the cross-section is shaped as a “V.” 
   
   
       8 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first contour is different than the second contour.  
   
   
       9 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the stainless steel is martensitic stainless steel.  
   
   
       10 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the stainless steel is austenitic stainless steel.  
   
   
       11 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a cast stainless steel connecting element extending between the first mortar-contacting element and the second mortar-contacting element.  
   
   
       12 . The mortar joint finishing tool of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting element is formed with the first mortar-contacting element and the second mortar-contacting element.  
   
   
       13 . A cast stainless steel jointer comprising: 
 a first element having a first surface, the first surface having a first contour configured to impart a first indent in an unfinished mortar joint;    a second element having a second surface, the second surface having a second contour configured to impart a second indent in the unfinished mortar joint; and    a connecting element that extends between the first element and the second element.    
   
   
       14 . The cast stainless steel jointer of  claim 13 , wherein the casting is investment casting.  
   
   
       15 . The cast stainless steel jointer of  claim 13 , wherein the first element has a first shape, and the second element has a second shape, and wherein the first shape is different than the second shape.  
   
   
       16 . The cast stainless steel jointer of  claim 13 , wherein the first contour is different than the second contour.  
   
   
       17 . A sledrunner comprising a stainless steel body that comprises: 
 an elongated mortar-contacting element having a mortar-contacting surface; and    a handle support affixed to the elongated mortar-contacting element and configured for fastening to a handle.    
   
   
       18 . The stainless steel sledrunner of  claim 17 , wherein the handle support comprises two brackets adapted for fastening to a handle.  
   
   
       19 . The stainless steel sledrunner of  claim 17 , wherein the stainless steel sledrunner is formed by casting.  
   
   
       20 . The stainless steel sledrunner of  claim 19 , wherein the casting is investment casting.  
   
   
       21 . The stainless steel sledrunner of  claim 17 , wherein the stainless steel sledrunner is formed by forging.  
   
   
       22 . The stainless steel sledrunner of  claim 17 , wherein the stainless steel sledrunner is formed by stamping.  
   
   
       23 . A stainless steel beader comprising: 
 a first stainless steel element having a first surface, the first surface having a first contour configured to impart a first form to an unfinished mortar joint; and    a second stainless steel element adjacent the first stainless steel element and having a second surface, the second surface having a second contour configured to impart a second form to the unfinished mortar joint.    
   
   
       24 . The stainless steel beader of  claim 23 , wherein the stainless steel beader is formed by casting.  
   
   
       25 . The stainless steel beader of  claim 23 , wherein the casting is investment casting.  
   
   
       26 . The stainless steel beader of  claim 23 , wherein the stainless steel beader is formed by forging.  
   
   
       27 . The stainless steel beader of  claim 23 , wherein the stainless steel beader is formed by stamping.  
   
   
       28 . The stainless steel beader of  claim 23 , wherein the first element has a first shape, and the second element has a second shape that is different than the first shape.  
   
   
       29 . The stainless steel beader of  claim 23 , wherein the first contour is different than the second contour.  
   
   
       30 . The stainless steel beader of  claim 23 , wherein the first contour is convex.  
   
   
       31 . The stainless steel beader of  claim 23 , further comprising a stainless steel connecting element extending between the first stainless steel element and the second stainless steel element.  
   
   
       32 . The stainless steel beader of  claim 31 , wherein the connecting element is formed with the first stainless steel element and the second stainless steel element.  
   
   
       33 . A method for manufacturing a mortar joint finishing tool, comprising casting a unitary body of stainless steel that comprises a first mortar-contacting element having a first mortar-contacting surface adjacent a second mortar-contacting element having a second mortar-contacting surface.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the casting is investment casting.