How to tell Stainless from Chrome Plate?

[maggiethelab]

I'm building the tap system for my bar and ordered the Stainless Steel Elbow shank assembly, part 4329AS-3E from BeverageFactory.com. I called and they told me they were back ordered 2 to 3 weeks, and then the next day I got a ship notice. My order arrived today, but I'm starting to think they grabbed a couple of chrome plated shanks and threw them in to complete the order.

I was expecting them to be a more brushed look to match the tower I purchased from ACU (http://www.acumetalfab.com/index.html).

Anyone know how I can tell if these are stainless or chrome plated brass? I don't want to scratch them in case I have to return them.

 

[v2comp]

I'm building the tap system for my bar and ordered the Stainless Steel Elbow shank assembly, part 4329AS-3E from BeverageFactory.com. I called and they told me they were back ordered 2 to 3 weeks, and then the next day I got a ship notice. My order arrived today, but I'm starting to think they grabbed a couple of chrome plated shanks and threw them in to complete the order.

I was expecting them to be a more brushed look to match the tower I purchased from ACU (http://www.acumetalfab.com/index.html).

Anyone know how I can tell if these are stainless or chrome plated brass? I don't want to scratch them in case I have to return them.

most stainless alloys arent magnetic, see if a magnet sticks to them!

 

[Timboosh]

most stainless alloys arent magnetic, see if a magnet sticks to them!

300 series Stainless isn't magnetic... and neither is brass... so a magnet isn't going to tell you much of anything.

 

[maggiethelab]

Tried the magnet thing and SS and brass are the same. Should these look any different? Should the SS versions of these be more brushed, or should they be all super shiny?

 

[maggiethelab]

Ok, I figured it out. The shank is indeed Stainless, but the outside flange is chrome and is exactly the same as both models. I was confused because I thought the flange would be brushed stainless, and it's not. The picture on the site is misleading, because it shows a slightly brushed look to the flange.

Had to go to Micromatic's website to see an exploded diagram of all the replacement parts for the stainless model, and it shows the same flange for both stainless and brass.

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/towers-parts-pid-D6P3C.html

Keep this in mind if you are thinking of matching a brushed stainless tower and the shank, because the shank's flange is chrome plated...