If I could only have one cutting tool...?

[CATMAN]

Iplayfarmer, If you want the proper professional tool for cutting a straight line with a torch. It is called Contour Curv-O-Mark Model 28 Magnetic burning guide. It is basically a "raised" straight edge with 3 strong magnets underneath and offset a little. There are additional aluminum angle pieces that you can purchase that bolt to the top which increases the total lenght. I used/borrowed one once to cut out pieces on 4' x 8' sheet steel. That next week, I was on the Internet and bought my own. You still hand cut with the torch, but it works so much better than angle iron because the straight edge is raised about 3/4" to 1" off the plate steel. I sometimes wonder if one could bolt some horseshoe magnets underneath some 1/8"x1 1/2" angle iron and maybe accomplish the some function. I barely had to grind anything off compared to when I try freehand or clamp angle iron directly on top of the steel. Airgas, Inc. sells them or do a google search.

 

[AlanB]

This may not be a popular refrain, but if it was my money, a torch is something I would buy new if I could not test it out, yes, they can be repaired, reseated, etc. etc. but are you really "ahead" if you have to do all that?

In many ways I consider a torch (hold your laughter just a moment here) a "precision" tool, not in that the cuts you make will be precision, but in that the valves, the tips, regualtors etc. are precision devices that need to be well kept and cared for.

For the money, I would buy new.

But take that FWIW.

Victor, Harris, Smith, MECO anything of qaulity, I might would even be tempted to try one of those chinese sets for $100 or whatever they are, but would probably just go pick up another Victor if mine died to be honest.

 

[tawilson]

I just bought a power hacksaw last week for 50 bucks used. It has a patent date of aug 1893 and under that it has a jan 1892 date. It has a flat belt that drives the saw and an electric motor has been added to it at some point but originally I beleive it ran off a over head belt line{ just kindly guessing] . My first cut with it was a little skueed but I adjusted it a little[ I beleive it got out of line during moving it] after adjusting it a little I got a good straight cut. I'm tickled with it 114 years old and still chugging along just fine. Our ancesters when they did it they did it right. I have the 14 inch abrasive shop saw it does ok but I don't like the smell of the abrasivewheel when it is cutting. I have a two stage torch regulator set does a good job in the hands of my brother who knows what he's a doing and not me. Ps. I'm getting better at it though.

Your lungs and sinus's don't like the dust that comes along with the smell of that abrasive wheel. I've got allergy issues and metal and abrasive wheel dust are at the top of the make me sick list.

 

[irwin]

I use my deep cut portable band saw more than torch or sawzall.. quieter, fairly exact. and less grinding after. and it's under $300.00.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

For the money, I would buy new.

But take that FWIW.

Thanks for that input, really. I do appreciate all the advice.

Keep it coming everyone...

 

[chabat124]

I don't make my living metalworking... That said... for $200 I got two saws (plus add a little $$ for blades....)

I have a $59.00 Harbor Frt 14" Chop saw that has been in use for over 3 years... It is great for quick and dirty cuts like rebar, chains, angle iron, flat steel, anything where speed of cut is valued over precision.

Last year I bought a 4x6 metal bandsaw from Harbor Frt for $140 or so on sale... I replaced the blade with a Starret from Enco ($15), and I couldn't be happier. It is great for cutting thicker steel, or any cut that you need to be precise. It is Quiet, Precise, no sparks... I cut some 1/2 thick flats with no problem at all. The abrasive blade chop saw does not like cutting thick metal like that... (keep in mind I have a $59 chop saw...) I love my bandsaw! I am glad I did not spend $500 plus, on a better bandsaw, left me more money for other projects, since I am a hobbyist... Even the cheap HF bandsaw can be tweaked and set up to make accurate cuts. I am not suggesting the HF is just as good as a High quality bandsaw... But for what I do, it is more than adequate.

If I did metalwork very often or was a welder, I might have opted for a NICE bandsaw with liquid coolant and all the bells and whistles. I am satisfied, nonetheless. I don't buy Everything HF... I have lots of other good name brand tools, Porter cable router, PC belt sander, PC Circular Saw, Delta Wood chop saw & stationary sander, Lincoln AC/DC Welder, Jet Tablesaw, A dewalt drill... I hate Cheap Quality Tools... however, I have been satisfied with the bandsaw and chop saw from HF. I just could not justify the big bucks for the others, at this particular time.

I don't have an OA but would like one.

 

[HomeBrew2]

I use my 14" Ryobi saw 99% of the time. Think I used my torch to do a bit of brazing, or maybe cut a rusty 1" bolt ... a year ago.
I have easily cut 1/2" x 4" bar and 3.5" schedule 80 pipe with it. The only times I have had an out-of-square prob was when I didn't have the material clamped properly.

 

[Renze]

Last autumn i bought a 7x12" band saw from an internet auction. The guy was an importer of cheap china tools, and had this band saw in a return trade. He didnt know if it was running and didnt want to invest time in this 1991 machine. I bought it for 150 Euro and luckily it was running right away. Two band saws cost me 19 Euro each, and the missing coolant pump was replaced by a pond fountain pump, the cheapest i could get was 25 Euro.
So for under 200 Euro i had a very nice saw, the very same model is sold new these days for 1200 Euro...

Right now i wouldnt want to miss it anymore, the band saw cost me 19 euro but i have saved me 150 euro worth of abrasive disks, lots of smelly clothes, pricking eyes and lungs and dust in the workshop.

since i have this saw i use every bit of steel i have. I also cut up flatbar lengthwise if i dont have the exact size i need. When i had to do this with the 2300 watt Hitachi 230 mm angle grinder, i wouldnt even think of grinding that much for just a piece of steel, so i would throw it away and spend my $$$ for a meter of flatbar of the size i need. My band saw is saving me money in many ways, and i dont need as much working clothes anymore, because i dont burn holes in them anymore with the angle grinder.

 

[chabat124]

One other advantage a horizontal (4x6, 7x12 etc) bandsaw offers I forgot to mention: You can literally cut slivers off... I mean you can cut just a very thin wafer of metal off the end if you end up needing to go shorter. I can't do that with my abrasive chop saw.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I have lots of other good name brand tools, Porter cable router, PC belt sander, PC Circular Saw, Delta Wood chop saw & stationary sander, Lincoln AC/DC Welder, Jet Tablesaw, A dewalt drill...

Okay, it worked. I'm jealous.