Cutting Tools

[grsthegreat]

Plasma cutter hands down. Mine is currently limited to a mechanized cutter head, as its on a cnc table. im looking to get a hand held tip for it to increase its usefulness.

i routinely cut thru 1/2" and 3/4" steel. very clean edges.

 

[tj2]

I think highly of these:

Amazon.com: Freud D0738FM Diablo Steel Demon Ferrous Cutting Saw Blade 7-Inch/180 mm by 38t 20 mm arbor: Home Improvement

I haven't tried it on 1/2" yet, but it works great on 1/4" steel. I use my very old, cheap Craftsman for cutting steel, not my nice Milwaukee, because I don't want to mess up a new saw (just in case).

Very clean cut, perfect for long cuts in sheet steel. It's rated for 1/4", but I suspect would handle 1/2" fine, just a bit slower.

 

[moored4]

I have a cutting torch, chop saw, angle grinder, I am looking for something to make long, clean cuts on larger steel, like if I was going to make a BH bucket or something. I was going to look into a plasma cutter, but trying to cut a straight line may be challenging. I like the bandsaw idea, but can you cut large pieces with a metal band saw? I've never used a metal band saw, but does it work pretty much like a wood one? The metal circular saw looks like it may work well also. If I am going to spend the money, I want something that will be very versatile.

For layout of sheet, ｼ inch and thicker I think either the gas torch or plasma is your best bet! If you are going to use this in a shop setting only in the future then I would go with the plasma, but if you ever want to / or have to take this unit out into the field the gas torch set is the way to go. They do not require such a long extension cord like the plasma rigs do!!:laughing:

 

[J_J]

Plasma cutter hands down. Mine is currently limited to a mechanized cutter head, as its on a cnc table. im looking to get a hand held tip for it to increase its usefulness.

i routinely cut thru 1/2" and 3/4" steel. very clean edges.

You can not get a perfect vertical hole, so what is your angle at the bottom. For instance, if cutting a 1 in hole on the top of 3/4 or 1 in, what is the width of the hole on the bottom? I had to ream out the hole for bushings and pins.

 

[grsthegreat]

You can not get a perfect vertical hole, so what is your angle at the bottom. For instance, if cutting a 1 in hole on the top of 3/4 or 1 in, what is the width of the hole on the bottom? I had to ream out the hole for bushings and pins.

there not absolute perfect, that is true, but if the tips are new or near new, they only need a very little deburring (usually with a dremmel tool and stone). I just cut the 1" holed in the 3/8 plate for my bucket, and it only took 20-30 seconds with the dremmel to smooth it out. If i need a 1" finish hole, i set the cnc to cut me a 0.98" hole, then i grind it to fit.

I wish i could afford a laser....but that will never happen.

Straight cuts are usually better than full circles, but id rather have to use a dremmel than a drill press.

 

[galaxie428]

I saw this neat little tool in an AWDirect catalog last night. I don't know if it works or not or would be worth the price but it would aid in cutting with a plasma or torch.

4-in-1 Cutting Torch Tool | AW Direct

 

[TRUKFXR]

For cutting straight-line 1/2'' thick and less I use the Evolution circular saw. It works great and doesn't leave a mess in the work area. When you are done, the pieces are clean and ready to assemble. Cost is a lot less then investing in a plasma cutter if you don't plan on doing a lot of cutting.