best way to cut 16ga metal and 1 inch tubing

[acs55812]

I need to cut 6 inches off the bottom of a tractor cab that is made with 1 inch square tubing for the frame, and (this is a guess) 16 gauge metal.

The weapons at hand are sawzall, and 4 inch grinder. A torch could be borrowed but I prefer not to do that.

For those that work more with metal fabrication---suggestions?

I have a welder so putting the frame back together won't be a problem===just the cutting part is.

 

[whistlepig]

Put a cut off wheel on the 4" grinder. It will cut through it like butter.

 

[Scotty370]

Ditto to Whistlepig! Protect other surfaces, vinyl, paint etc from the spark 'shower'....~S

 

[whistlepig]

Protect your eyes also.

 

[whistlepig]

My bestest favorite cut off wheel is a Sait A60S .045". Last ones I got I bought at Lowes. It's been awhile so I don't know if Lowes still carries these or not. Not China stuff for cut off wheels. These things can eat your face off if they blow up. Cutting Wheels - Angle Grinder - Featuring .045 and .090

 

[k0ua]

I have been using the Dewalt brand of cutoff wheels, they have been working well, and lasting a long time. Mark it hold the grinder square, and it will knife thru it pronto!
James K0UA

 

[crazyal]

My bestest favorite cut off wheel is a Sait A60S .045". Last ones I got I bought at Lowes. It's been awhile so I don't know if Lowes still carries these or not. Not China stuff for cut off wheels. These things can eat your face off if they blow up. Cutting Wheels - Angle Grinder - Featuring .045 and .090

The last few times I've been to Lowes all they had was the DeWalt wheels but they seam to work well.

 

[The Haymaker]

Protect your eyes also.

And ears.

 

[Mace Canute]

If you can clamp a strip of metal to the cab to guide the cutoff wheel, you'll be able to make a cut that will look like it was sheared after you clean it up a tad. I saw a friend do that when he cut through a big I beam. It was truly amazing just how even and square his cuts came out. Made a very nice job. Don't try to cut full depth all at once, sort of go back and forth a bit grinding a "guide slot" that will help keep the grinding wheel from going off on an angle.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

I just got done cutting a bunch of 18 ga. I had a couple of cheap cutoff blades for my skillsaw and they cut well unfortunatly they didn't last long enough. I was able to finish up the job with one of my old aluminum cutting blades for the skillsaw. If it had been a new blade(like in not missing half the carbides) it would have cut quick, but even as is, it made really nice cuts, just slow. I have better luck making straight cuts with a skill saw than I do with a grinder, even using a straight edge like Mace suggested. I clamp it down for the skilsaw as well.

Rick

 

[whistlepig]

Crisp, easy, precise, and clean with a cut off wheel. Cuts through steel like butter. I'm from the old school. I can, if so required, do bypass surgery with a cold chisel and a hammer. Do the cut off wheel thingy and be happy.

 

[snbolson]

I have over 20 years experience doing sheetmetal work (I still learn something new everyday) and for your project the cutoff wheel as whistlepig suggests is by far the best way to accomplish this task. Besure to wear your hearing and eye protection. Watch where the sparks go because it would be hard for Santa to bring you a new shop for Christmas.

 

[acs55812]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I will be stopping by Acme Tool today and getting a couple thin (.045?) wheels and will use 1 X4 or 2 X 4 clamped on as a guide----even with lots of airflow underneath--and using the cab held on the tractor with ratchet straps---it has become CLEAR to me that ANY cab is better than not cab.

 

[flusher]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I will be stopping by Acme Tool today and getting a couple thin (.045?) wheels and will use 1 X4 or 2 X 4 clamped on as a guide----even with lots of airflow underneath--and using the cab held on the tractor with ratchet straps---it has become CLEAR to me that ANY cab is better than not cab.

Angle grinder with cutoff wheels will do the job. Just be sure to keep the shield installed on the grinder (it's removable and adjustable). I've had cutoff blades come apart and that shield saved me a trip to the ER or worse.

 

[jayste]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I will be stopping by Acme Tool today and getting a couple thin (.045?) wheels and will use 1 X4 or 2 X 4 clamped on as a guide----even with lots of airflow underneath--and using the cab held on the tractor with ratchet straps---it has become CLEAR to me that ANY cab is better than not cab.

Acme tool? I thought only Wiley Coyote shopped there!:laughing:

My first choice would be the cut-off disc as well. If space doesn't allow it then a metal blade in a sawzall.

 

[rjmack]

i try not to make any sparks until i check for sure that the hose has water pressure in it.:thumbsup:

it's hard on the system (heart) trying to round up a hose, nozzle etc as the flames are licking at your equipment/building/forest.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I must be old fashioned but I would use a hacksaw. Should cut easy.

 

[crazyal]

I would use my new Plasma cutter but it wasn't listed in the choices.

 

[Mace Canute]

Acme tool? I thought only Wiley Coyote shopped there!:laughing:

An acquaintance of mine actually has a real ACME catalogue.

Amazon.com: ACME Catalog: Quality is Our #1 Dream (9780811851152): Charles Carney, ACME: Books

 

[doall]

I would use my new Plasma cutter but it wasn't listed in the choices.

You beat me to it.:thumbsup: