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

wroughtn_harv · Apr 18, 2005

If they don't like you digging up an old post they can "click" on something else.

I use a nine inch Bosch with a pipe cutting disc for flush cuts of pipe on concrete. However, there's not much difference between that and a torch if you're cutting with same for everything. It's still bad sparks everywhere.

I'd use a sawsall for the rest of the cuts. If I could only take one saw to heaven it would be a sawsall. That way if I got bored I could cut my way out. Now matter what the walls are made of. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If there's really a lot of pipe to cut then a portaband would be in order. It'll pay for itself in blades versus the sawsall daily.

Indydirtfarmer · Apr 18, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If they don't like you digging up an old post they can "click" on something else.

I use a nine inch Bosch with a pipe cutting disc for flush cuts of pipe on concrete. However, there's not much difference between that and a torch if you're cutting with same for everything. It's still bad sparks everywhere.

I'd use a sawsall for the rest of the cuts. If I could only take one saw to heaven it would be a sawsall. That way if I got bored I could cut my way out. Now matter what the walls are made of. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If there's really a lot of pipe to cut then a portaband would be in order. It'll pay for itself in blades versus the sawsall daily. )</font>

The above reply covered just about all the options in great detail. I'd add but one thing. A pipe cutter..... If the pipe is relatively clean and accessable, you can make a lot of cuts at little or no expense with one. Porta-Band is my FAVORITE choice for cutting pipe. SawZall is just plain HANDY...

varmint · Apr 18, 2005

The art of cutting metal has been pretty well covered in this thread, but for one aspect: cutting sheet metal. When I had my Morton building put up, they sent the wrong color siding. I was able to negotiate for the sheet metal, since it would work well for my horse-barn rebuilding project, and except for the fact they had delivered it pre-angled for the gables, etc. which wouldn't fit my barn, it was just what I needed. Cutting literally hundreds of lineal feet of 16(?) gauge steel to make it work looked like a problem. The Morton guys used costly electric nibblers- not for me, though. I found, for $20, an air nibbler at Harbor Freight, and that $20 turned out to be about the best-spent money ever. Shears don't work on angle cuts over corrugations, (even the straight, flat cuts wore out your hand pretty fast) but the nibbler is a natural. Clean edges, fast enough, and aside from the million tiny half-moon chips, perfect. Just cover your ears and follow the line.

willfick · Apr 19, 2005

I'm glad somebody dug up this old post. I had gotten to where I thought my recently aquired chopsaw was a waste. Turns out I was using it wrong. I've been trying to cut with the stock laid flat. (Most of what I'm using is discarded cutting edge from graders. Pretty hard.) Turned it up on edge, per one of these old posts, and almost zips through.
Thanks, Wm

PILOON · Apr 20, 2005

Re sheet metal:

I have worked a fair bit with metal roofing and siding.
Tried abrasive disks only to find that it took one disk per 3-4 ft of cutting.

Then I discovered 'friction discs' (7" to fit skill saws).
These 'discs' look like saw blades without teeth.
They have a 1/8" slit about every 10 deg. or so.

One blade has lasted me many roofs and sidings and looks like it will do another 50!

Very noisy to use and does leave a slight burr (easy to trim with a pass with a file).
Better than nibblers and I think they would cut to perhaps 14g or so. For sure it handles 18 g just fine.

Also once used an old 'ceramic tile' 4" cheap diamond blade with success on a small job. (was desperate or too lazy to change over to friction disc)

KennyV · Apr 20, 2005

I also like to see old threads recycled /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif….
Cutting steel… Try liquid fuel. Cuts FAST CLEAN and cheap to operate /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif… See it at http://www.petrogen.com/ KennyV.

tawilson · Apr 20, 2005

I've used a skilsaw to cut metal before. Thus, when I was in TSC a couple of months ago looking for cutting discs and spied the Clarke metal cutting skilsaw for $100 I grabbed it and have liked it so far. I can't swing a plasma cutter yet and it's good for the stuff too heavy for snips or double cuts. I've cut some stainless with it too. Chewed up the blade, but that's what it's for.

riptides · Apr 21, 2005

What is the ballpark figure. I really don't want to give up my e-Mail address yet again, just for price info.

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

KennyV · Apr 21, 2005

Mike Z...
I don’t remember exactly, but I believe it was around $800.00 - $900.00…(this was around 2 years ago). You can not braze or weld with it, but it cuts very fast with little or no slag and no puddle set up while cutting thick metals. Cheap to operate a gallon of gas = 100 cubic ft of acetylene. Light weight … If you are cutting a lot of steel this can’t be beat. KennyV.