Cutting up to 1/4in steel - what do you recommend?

[JKR]

If you are going to cut metal with a worm drive saw. (I have them for wood.) be carful. There no clutch in the saw if it should get stuck. The saw could pull right out of your hand faster than you can think.
Go slow and take your time.
I use a Milwaukee 6370-20 8 in. Metal Cutting Saw. I use Milwaukee 8" blades for my saw.
There are 7 1/4" metal cutting blade to fit your saw. Use a 48 or 50 tooth blade. It will cut smooth and less chance of the blade getting caught.

 

[k0ua]

I have a nice 'wood' cutting Bosch so I suppose I could try it with metal blades for the thin stuff.

I have cut quite a bit of sheet steel with metal cutting blades in my Bosch. It works well. Give it a try.

 

[bumperm]

Be still, my heart! Been thinking more and more about a small plasma cutter, and tho I have no frequent need for one, I think it would improve the quality of life just knowing it's in the shop.

.

Plasma is just flat amazing for this stuff like stainless sheet, where a toothed saw will bend the edges. Also does plunge cuts, inside and outside shapes. Mine does to half an inch nicely, 1" not so nicely.

A "cold cut" chop or cut off saw is way the heck nicer (and more expensive), than an abrasive cut off saw.

Then there's a place for a horizontal band saw as well as vertical.

Can't have too many tools!! :c) I have wife convinced that tools do not count against my toy budget.

bumper

 

[Gary Fowler]

Of all the cutting tools mentioned, I wouldn't buy the first one prior to getting an oxy-acetylene torch. That one tool was in use as a one of for several decades before dual rotating blade saws, cut off saws or even plasma cutters. Sure the specialty tools are nice to have and should be considered as a secondary purchase after your torch and welding machine. To me a person starting to stock his shop needs an oxy-acetylene torch and a DC stick welding machine, a work bench, a 4# shop hammer, a square and level, tape measure, a hand drill motor with assorted drill bits and a grinder or two as first tools. With these basic tools one can fix or build about anything.
Adding a bench grinder, drill press, a MIG machine, plasma torch, band saws etc as money permits. Unless working with stainless or other alloy material the cutting torch will handle anything from gauge sheet metal up to 2" metal by just changing tips and it will heat metal for bending or even welding with a welding tip. Its the best thing to come along for metal working since the forge.

Are all the specialty tools nice to have, sure they are. Are they a necessity? Not at all, just a convenience.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Oh, I left out ANVIL and large heavy duty VISE. Very useful tools for holding and straightening stuff.

 

[k0ua]

I would add that you should get that drill press as soon as you can. It is an investment you only need to make once in your life and will pay for itself right away in the much more accurate holes it can drill safely.

 

[downsizingnow48]

And a good hacksaw. Preferably with a boy to operate it.

 

[Big Barn]

And a good hacksaw. Preferably with a boy to operate it.

Or girl.

Terry

 

[downsizingnow48]

Well yes true enough these days. But, Gary's post made me think of my old dad's shop which was quite a while ago. I started out with a broom and a grease rag for cleaning. Using the hacksaw was my first actual tool-using function. It didn't take long for the excitement to wear off. I was very happy the day he got a power hacksaw that cut steel faster, squarer, and with much less complaint than me. Now in fact, I have had my own girls in the shop, in the garage, and on the tractor. But my folks would never have thought of that. Expectations and practices are different now.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Sorry to drift off topic. Getting back to OPs original and interesting question: For steel up to 1/4 inch I use:
Bosch jigsaw with metal cutting blades for curves.
Makita 12" cold cut saw where the material is suitable and a clean accurate cut needed.
Makita 14" abrasive saw for stuff I think might screw up the cold cut saw blade and accuracy not a requirement.
Makita 5 3/8" 18v metal cutting circular saw for long clean straight cuts.
Sawmaster power hacksaw for large angle material or other things where I don't want to risk the cold cut blade.
Dewalt handheld bandsaw for anything where speed is good but total straight is not a requirement.
Milwaukee sawzall, mostly for rebar.
Victor cutting torch if absolutely necessary.
Those are the main tools for me.