Cutting Tools

[lzicc]

What does everyone use to cut heavier steel like 1/4" - 1/2"? I'm looking for something that would leave a clean cut.

 

[kennyd]

I have:
A stationary 4x6 band saw
A Porta-Band
A Plasma Cutter
A 14" Metal chop saw
A Saws-All
A Air powered die grinder
A Electric 4 1/2" angle grinder that I can put cutting disks on

 

[bobodu]

A properly set up torch is what I use. Clean tip and correct pressures.....and a little know how.

 

[teg]

Power Tools - Mechanical Contractor's Top Tool Choices - 8" Metal Cutting Saw

Bought some 1/4" tube and this guy came out with this saw... very impressed but not enough to spend $260 +/-

 

[20 20]

I use an old skill saw with a metal cutting blade, built many things with this setup{trailers, plows, etc..}.

 

[mroldstyle]

plasma, 14" chop saw, 4" grinder with 1/16" blade.

 

[pickstock]

depends what we want to cut we have access to pretty much everything but mostly i use the 4 inch or 9 inch angle grinder, cheap cut off saw or plasma

 

[Zick]

Power Tools - Mechanical Contractor's Top Tool Choices - 8" Metal Cutting Saw

Bought some 1/4" tube and this guy came out with this saw... very impressed but not enough to spend $260 +/-

Depending on how many times you'd use it, you could always get one of these for less than half that price. But I'm sure it wouldn't last as long as the Milwaukee will.
7-1/4" Metal Cutting Circular Saw

I've got one and it works pretty good. Don't use it much so it should last me for a while.

Here's a good thread on it.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/157375-have-you-tried-hf-metal.html

 

[Army grunt]

I use a "Jet" stationary 4x6 band saw. works great.
Army Grunt

 

[lzicc]

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.

 

[jimgerken]

Plasma torch following a clamped -on straight edge like a pc of angle iron. Nice clean straight cut. Right after that you will want a PlasmaCam.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Plasma torch following a clamped -on straight edge like a pc of angle iron. Nice clean straight cut. Right after that you will want a PlasmaCam.

You can also follow a straight edge with a oxy acet torch. Takes some practice, but you can get nice cuts that don't take much clean up.

 

[lzicc]

I am looking at some of the reviews on Amazon for that Milwaukee circular saw and it got excellent reviews. It looks like it cuts 1/4" steel pretty fast and leaves a clean edge. It also has the capability of going up to 3/4". I like Milwaukee tools.

 

[weldingisfun]

For most of my cutting needs this saw does it all. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Bandsaw It has placed my cutoff saw on the shelf.

For plate, and I have cut up to 1/2 inch, and sheet metal to include roofing tin this saw can't be beat.
7-1/4" Metal Cutting Circular Saw

 

[Gary Fowler]

For 1/2" and thicker, I would use a oxyacetylene torch and have it cut, cleaned and welded to whatever before you got it cut with an abrasive saw or even home sized (30Amp) plasma. For thicknesses up to 1/2", I use a 00 tip that cuts a small kerf and when cleaned properly leaves very little slag. You can drag a OA torch beside a piece of angle also to make straight cuts. The problem folks have with OA torches and slag clean up is usually they use too big of a tip (and it usually is not properly cleaned)and mostly melt the metal off rather than cutting it via High Pressure oygen. Sure it takes a little longer to preheat with a smaller tip but once it is hot, you can cut 1" thick with a 00 tip easily. For most stuff around farm / hobbist an 0, 00 and 000 tip will do all your cutting needs. I have cut 16 gauge sheet metal with a torch with hardly any slag and very little warpage. You just have to move fast and steady.
You could also use a #2 cutting tip for heating if you dont have a rosebud. A #3 or #4 welding tip also works good for concentrating the flame to a smaller area than a rosebud.

 

[PutnamVictor]

I purchased a Metal Cutting Circular Saw and my chop saw has never been used again. Clean, cool, dust free, and very little sparks.

I have nothing agent HF, I buy stuff from them too, just not stuff that I plan on using more then once or twice, and not anything that can hurt me when it fails.

 

[J_J]

Using the plasma cutter to cut a straight line is not difficult at all. You simply use a straight edge guide, and drag down the guide.

 

[lzicc]

It seems like Plasma may be the way to go. I've used one before on sheet metal, but that was over 10 years ago. I like the idea of being able to make difficult cuts. Does the edge of the cut have much left on it?

 

[Gary Fowler]

Check the IPM cutting rate of the plasma rig you think you can afford and see what it says for 1/2". Most of those home units barely cut 1/2 plate at max power. If you can afford a 100 amp unit or bigger, you would be ok, but I think (and I am not an expert on plasma, because I use OA rig) you will be disappointed with the cut speed and quality on 1/2" plate. Thinner stuff, would work great with less distortion with plasma. Thicker stuff works good also, but you need more thatn 30-40 amps to get good cuts on thick material. Most of my experience with plasma has been on industrial 400 amp rigs and they work great. The sure made a lot of smoke though

 

[RPW]

I've cut 1/2 with a 40A plasma but it was s-l-o-w. For that thickness I'd be looking at a 60A minimum or O/A. One of my goals is to get a torchmate CNC table with both plasma and O/A torch attachments. Currently have chopsaw, portaband, die grinder, circular saw, plasma (40A) and of course O/A. Been buying shop tools a little bit here a little bit there so a to not get the better half too angry at me
Richard