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