Metal cutting tools recommendation?

[rbstern]

I'm getting a bit more into welding. Mostly light duty stuff so far, done with inexpensive wire fed MIG and arc welders.

Any cutting and fitting I've done so far has been with a Harbor Freight 4 1/2" angle grinder using a cutoff wheel. It works well for the rough cutting I've been doing. For example, yesterday I welded a small tab made from 3/16" flat stock, on a broken 22 rimfire spring actuated/knockdown target reset paddle. Exact fit was not important. I just needed a 3/4" x 3/4" piece from a piece of flat stock, roughly in the shape of a square. Cut it with the angle grinder.

I suspect I will get to projects where I want to fabricate mounts or fixtures out of 1/8th, 3/16", or 1/4" mild steel, where a close fit between two parts is needed.

Is there a decent, one tool cutting solution for a casual/occasional welder?

Also, could use a recommendation for good sources of scrap metal that any good scrounger would be adept at finding. Tube, flat, angle, etc. I'm sure, with more experience, I'll come to "see" perfectly good scrap metal about to be discarded, but my eyes/brain aren't trained for that. I "see it" with wood, but not yet with metal.

 

[AWSubie]

I use a porta band for cutting smaller pieces of metal. I can’t imagine being without it. Works great and is also a good beginner project for you to make a stand as well as a small table rest.

A tool I wish I had is a metal chopsaw. (Not the abrasive type, I have that) but had I known in the beginning I would’ve bought the metal blade chopsaw.

 

[bigtiller]

Is there a decent, one tool cutting solution for a casual/occasional welder?

The short answer is no.
I used an abrasive cut 14" saw for many years and was happy. And then I bought a dry cut saw. I use it most of the time and seldom ever use the abrasive saw anymore. There are times when a band saw would be handy and a plasma cutter, but remember, it's just a hobby.

You also need at least 4 angle grinders and 2 die grinders so you don't spend a lot of time doing change-overs.

I have a dry cut saw made by Fein with German engineering, it came square and plum, right out of the box.

FEIN-729 | Acme Tools

 

[metalbender]

+1 on the deep cut porta-band. Have most of the required metal cutting tools. Stationary band, abrasive chop, 12 inch shear, electric and air shears, angle grinders, plasma and the deep cut porta-band. Next to the plasma, the porta-band is among the most versatile. Had the Chicago electric version, worked well untill some heavy cutting, then it let out a bunch of the magic Chinese smoke, upgraded to a Milwaukee model. Still made offshore, but with better QC.

 

[Big Barn]

You are already familiar with using a cut off wheel in your angle grinder. If you are using a traditional thin bonded abrasive wheel I would recommend getting one of these instead:

Lenox 1972921 4-1/2" Diamond Cut-Off Wheel - KMS Tools

I’ve been using this one for almost a year. I’m certain I would have gone through at least twenty abrasive discs by now. I find it is way easier to control with greater precision. And no wasted time with blade changes or loss of cutting diameter.

Also safer as they are less likely to explode than questionable quality abrasives.

 

[metalbender]

Been using the Makita thin abrasive discs, that Lennox is looking good at the price, even in Canuckland. Thanks

 

[TractorGuy]

I may have to try a diamond cutoff wheel when I run out of abraisive discs.

My cheap bandsaw died again this year and I replaced it with a Cut50F plasma cutter. I like it so far but takes a while to set it up and start cutting. I am using my generator to run it. Cuts are nowhere as clean and precise as a bandsaw.

I almost bought the small HF bandsaw which is similar to the saw I had. It can be used in the vertical or horizontal position and was very handy when it worked. It would try my patience at times.

 

[Big Barn]

metalbender I think you’ll be quite pleased with the Lennox.

I really should order a 4” one for my extended reach cut off tool but I still have three boxes of 3 and 4 inch abrasive discs.

To the OP. Another great tool is the extended reach cutoff tool. I wouldn’t put it on your priority list as what others have mentioned well do you well. But it is an awesome tool.

 

[Mowens]

I have the 4.5 angle grinder, and a HF bandsaw that does 4x6 vertical and horizontal. I honestly use the crap out of that bandsaw. I dread pulling the grinder out.

 

[Dneel81]

OK ill be the jerk and mention a plasma cutter. They're expensive but so efficient. They do require the big plug but they're so fast. I learned on the grinder with the lenox wheels and then borrowed an oxy/acet torch. Plasma is so quick and nice. I've built several tractor implements, tools, bumpers for my tahoe, etc. it'll sever 1" if you go slow enough but I can get through 1/4" so easily. I bought a hypertherm45. As always buy more than you think you'll need.