Metal cutting??????

[Power2ll]

I am in search of the best metal cutting tool for a n amature fabricator.. I have a new Hobart 230 iron man and a millwakee 14" chop saw. I feel I am fairly skilled at fabricating but am limited because of cutting parts. I spent quite a bit on my welder and don't want to spend a fortune on cutting tools but on the other hand the money I spent on the welder is kind of a waste without parts to weld. Thought about a horizontal band or maybe a plasma. The thing with the plasma is I have never used one and the price varies a lot. Don't know what I need.will probably hardly ever work with 1/2 steel or above. Probably mainly 1/4 or 3/8 need some advice thanks

 

[k0ua]

Hard to beat a band-saw. Quiet, precise, doesn't build up heat. Here is mine. A grizzly with swivel head

G9742 5" x 6" Metal-Cutting Bandsaw w/ Swivel Head

James K0UA

 

[Power2ll]

Thanks actually been watching that exact one on eBay. Has it been a gook one

 

[Ted Summey]

I asked a very similar question here.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/274012-how-do-you-cut-metal.html

There was a very informative discussion of saws, grinders, cutoff saws, plasma cutters. The TBNers helped me tremendously.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks actually been watching that exact one on eBay. Has it been a gook one

Seems to be, I am not a big fabricator, and don't use it a whole lot, but when I have needed it, it works well. I added a folding handle to the front of it to make moving it around easier. You may notice it in the photo. I also built a small table for it so I could use it in the vertical mode for some free hand cutting.

James K0UA

 

[Shield Arc]

I'm a little confused, do you want to cut plate, or stock?

 

[bikerdib]

Did you ask this same question on WeldingWeb a couple of weeks ago?

 

[DAD1220]

Plasma cutters are super and pricey, but do it all with one tool!

If I could leave it set up all the time, I would use it almost every metal project.

 

[jwmorris]

For just general cutting of almost anything nothing beats a Roll In band saw.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have both plasma and Oxy-acetylene, and if I was stuck with one it would be the torch. Torches are WAY more versatile than plasma, you can heat, bend, thaw, etc. If you are cutting non ferrous metals however, the plasma will do that while the oxy will not.

 

[R W]

Build yourself a power hacksaw.

 

[J_J]

If you want to get real serious about metal cutting, get a plasma CNC cutting table.

It can also do woodwork projects, etch glass, etc.

 

[jwmorris]

If you want to get real serious about metal cutting, get a plasma CNC cutting table.

It can also do woodwork projects, etch glass, etc.

While my CNC plasma works great for production it does very little of my material cutting other than shapes from flat plate.

A Handy Auto torch is much more versatile than a CNC plasma.

 

[Shield Arc]

A Handy Auto torch is much more versatile than a CNC plasma.

What is a Handy auto torch?

 

[J_J]

Handy Auto Professional Motorized Cutting Torch Kit for Acetylene | Fastenal

http://www.koike.com/Machines/Machine.aspx?MachineID=424

I have one of the older models. Found it at one of our flea markets.

It primary cuts circles and bevels.

 

[Shield Arc]

Oh I've seen them, can't say I ever used one.
I have a more primitive version, I only paid $50.00 for this old thing.

 

[hodge]

Metal fabrication is just like wood working- it takes many tools to cover many tasks, to complete one project. No one cutting tool will do it all. You may find one, like a band saw or a sawzall that will do a lot of it, but it won't do everything neatly, and it can get expensive over time (sawzall blades, for instance). You will need some different tools, if you want to do the job well, effecient, and cost effective. It takes money to make money, and it takes tools, plural, to do the job. I have a small fabrication business, and I use a portaband and an Evolution chop saw the most, along with my grinder/flap disc. I also have a sawzall, plasma cutter, cutting wheels, die grinder, hydraulic press, drill press, and my welders. The welding is usually the shortest part of the process- manipulation/preparation of the metal takes the time, and is the most important part of the job.
So, if you saw fit to invest $1500+ in a good welder, you will need to do it justice and start investing in other tools.

 

[Scooby074]

Those Auto torches are the cats ***.

Basically its like a hand powered CNC. Torch height and speed is constant, so nice clean cuts. All you have to do is trace the line. We had one in a fab shop where I worked and some of those guys there were REALLY impressive with what they could make it do, almost looked laser cut. Ours was a little bit different in design than the one above (might have been a Victor?) but it sure was a slick concept.

As to the OP, I suggest a regular OA torch, for the reasons Buckgnarly mentioned, and you already have a chop saw which will suffice for cutting everything besides plate or extremely large pieces. For most "tractor" people on here OA is a better choice than Plasma because it allows you to heat items for bending or removal. Not as sexy as plasma though

 

[jwmorris]

I have a few Handy Autos, they cut circles, straight lines or curves (with or without bevels). They work best with a guide but also work much better than a regular torch free hand because of the height and speed control.

You can also make simple fixtures for standard plasma or oxy/act torches that give you height control but you still have to drag them.

The track torch, like the one above is also a good machine to have, I use mine for heavy plate mostly. They are quite stable but you can't cut around pipe like you can with a handy auto. If you wrap a pipe with a guide, like a section of spring steel, you can cut around something with a Handy Auto where a track torch cannot.

For short runs I use the pantograph machine I built with templates, faster than I can program my CNC plasma.

 

[jwmorris]

I have a few Handy Autos, they cut circles, straight lines or curves (with or without bevels). They work best with a guide but also work much better than a regular torch because of the height and speed control.

You can also make simple fixtures for standard plasma or oxy/act torches that give you height control but you still have to drag them.

The track torch, like the one above is also a good machine to have, I use mine for heavy plate mostly.

For short runs I use the pantograph machine I built with templates, faster than I can program my CNC plasma.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/273086-show-what-tool-you-made-3.html see post #30