How do I cut metal (pipe, sheet and channel)??

johnbilt · Jul 16, 2004

Hi

That's the beauty of steel. It's strong tough material that works well for many things. That feature also makes it tough to cut and form without the proper tools.

Ditto on all the other comments posted.

I would definitely recommend a real metal cutoff saw to start with. Any metal shop should have one. They are fairly inexpensive and do a nice quick job for many tasks. My 14" dewalt with the abrasive blade cuts angle, pipe, solid, tube, etc...Keep the blade rpm up with the right pressure and get a quality blade. Actually, several quality blades. They do wear.

A band saw would be beautiful also.

I too struggled with cutting flat stuff. I have the air cutoff saw and sawzall and nibbler and air shears......Another handy deal is a long handled 8" metal shear. They are fairly cheap, mount to a benchtop, and will cut 3/16" strap and rod cleanly with a big pinch.

Also, I bought one of those 12 ton tubing benders for less than $100. Great for cages, winch mounts, railings etc...

Bottom line. I broke down and purchased a plasma cutter. Yep they are expensive and you need a good compressor and air filter system to feed it. It cuts steel like butter in any shape. It also cuts aluminum and any other conductive metal. This is my shear, pattern cutter, demolition tool, and super sawzall. I guess I decided I wanted to continue metal working for the long term and needed the capability to make some cool stuff. It's an investment.

Have a great day !!

John

MikePA · Jul 16, 2004

<font color="blue"> Careful using your woodworking saw to cut metal. </font>
I've always resisted the urge to use my stationery wood working saws, e.g., radial arm saw, for cutting metal. Those sparks flying all over the place and getting into crevices that already have sawdust in them made me feel a little uneasy, perhaps inappropriately so. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

However, I've used metal cutting blades in a portable circular saw to trim T posts, but this was outside. Wore gloves and safety glasses. The saw's metal guard got a tad hot. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif And a 7 inch metal cutting blade wears down to nothing after not too many T posts.

mrcaptainbob · Jul 16, 2004

I use an old table saw with the cut-off disc in it. It's great to have the rip fence and miter as a guide. Plenty of power and good speed at 5k rpm. Sis have a provlem with sparks, though. It melted the plastic protective cover over the switch.

Laminarman · Jul 17, 2004

I posted this originally, and here's my follow up.

I "banged" the edge of the abrasive wheel to get it unglassed. No luck. Still melting the plastic on the woodworking compound saw.

Shopped around on the 'net. Saw a lot of stuff.

While getting doggy food t'other day I saw a $99 metal chop saw at TSC and said "fudge it" and bought it on the spot. Best thing I did, for the little I do.

Went home, laid out my 5" channel steel, and started my first cut. I guess the sparks were more than I expected, and decided to point the saw OUT the garage door as the sparks were landing on my full 5 gallon diesel can. Next to that was a full 5 gallon can of regular unleaded. Next to that a 1 gallon can of my oil/gas mix for chain saw.

So, I'm cooking along and happy as a clam as my first piece of channel stock falls. Glee! I set up my next piece (4 cuts to make) and cut away. All is well until I realize my new landing spot for the sparks is a dried out arborvitae tree...now in flames on it's lower 1/3. Put that puppy out with a little kick and water, but not before my mother in law, wife, son and neighbor notice. Big grin. Life is great.

I'll likely add to the chop saw if my metal working expands.

Thanks for your help!

markct · Jul 17, 2004

yea we have a makita chopsaw, i like it for light stuff and cuts that dont need alot of acuracy, i also have a bandsaw that will cut most anything perfectly square but when im building stuff outa pipe or light angle the chopsaw is so much handier and faster, and its nice that its portable too, one of these days i want to make a shoe for the saw so i can use it like a giant metal cutting skilsaw, that would be very handy i think

DaveNay · Jul 17, 2004

I find that if you take a carefully measured length of prime-a-cord, and wrap it around the angle to be cut, you will get a perfect slice in just a fraction of a second.

Errrr......ummmm.....nevermind. Do not do this....just use a torch.

Dave

rockinmywaypa · Jul 18, 2004

I saw that stuff used for demolition on discovery channel and yes it makes things happen in a hurry once everything is ready.

mrcaptainbob · Jul 19, 2004

Don't tell Laminarman about that stuff! No telling what would be lost besides the arborvitae!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Laminarman · Jul 20, 2004

You have no idea how destructive I can be!

riptides · Apr 18, 2005

I have a dairy barn with tons (literally) of pipe that I'd like to clear out. A lot of it is right into the concrete. I was thinking of using an angle grinder with a metal cutting disc? Since I will be making BOTH vertical and horizontal cuts. The horizontal cuts will be right flush with the concrete.

Or is there a better tool for the job? I really am not interested in torches inside this barn.

Yes, GUILTY of digging up an OLD post.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif