Metal cutting??????

[Power2ll]

I use mainly stock but using plate would expand my possibility. By your answer in guessing a plasma is primarily for plate.

 

[Power2ll]

This is actually my first time to ask a ? On here but I can tell this is a very hand site. I'm new to the forum

 

[Power2ll]

Build yourself a power hacksaw.

What is a power hacksaw

 

[Power2ll]

If you want to get real serious about metal cutting, get a plasma CNC cutting table.

It can also do woodwork projects, etch glass, etc.

That just sounds expensive

 

[Power2ll]

Metal fabrication is just like wood working- it takes many tools to cover many tasks, to complete one project. No one cutting tool will do it all. You may find one, like a band saw or a sawzall that will do a lot of it, but it won't do everything neatly, and it can get expensive over time (sawzall blades, for instance). You will need some different tools, if you want to do the job well, effecient, and cost effective. It takes money to make money, and it takes tools, plural, to do the job. I have a small fabrication business, and I use a portaband and an Evolution chop saw the most, along with my grinder/flap disc. I also have a sawzall, plasma cutter, cutting wheels, die grinder, hydraulic press, drill press, and my welders. The welding is usually the shortest part of the process- manipulation/preparation of the metal takes the time, and is the most important part of the job.
So, if you saw fit to invest $1500+ in a good welder, you will need to do it justice and start investing in other tools.

. I have a Milwaukee chop saw but it is again to cut angles and it is extremely messy. I really think I need a band saw maybe a 4x6. But not sure if I need a wet cut or not. Any advise?

 

[Shield Arc]

. But not sure if I need a wet cut or not. Any advise?

Be real careful buying dry cut saws. I have an Ellis which is dry cut. I was really concerned about that before buying. I asked a lot of questions on welding, and tool forums. I've had mine for almost 6-years. I can go 10-months on one blade. But in an industrial setting who knows how long the blades would last. Every steel supplier I've been to have very large HE&M saws which are wet cut.

 

[DAD1220]

I cut angle, round and bar with plasma. As long as you have the power for the thickness.

 

[IslandTractor]

Lots of options already mentioned. As usual it depends on what job you are doing, where you are doing it and how much money you have to spend. Plasma on a CNC table is pretty sweet looking. Laser and water cut systems are way out of hobbiest or tradesman price range. Handheld plasma makes real nice cuts and can be reasonably affordable. Oxyfuel is the tried and true and very versatile method in the field especially. Bandsaw is a must for a serious fabrication shop. Iron worker is fantastic for rod and angle iron. Chop saw is probably the cheapest for materials that can be fit. One other option not mentioned yet is a portaband saw which is very nice for cutting pipe and other lengths of steel in the field. You can get small tables (SWAG) that mount the portaband to work like an upright bandsaw or a different table (Milwaukee) that makes it work like a chop saw too.

 

[jmc]

Be real careful buying dry cut saws. I have an Ellis which is dry cut. I was really concerned about that before buying. I asked a lot of questions on welding, and tool forums. I've had mine for almost 6-years. I can go 10-months on one blade. But in an industrial setting who knows how long the blades would last. Every steel supplier I've been to have very large HE&M saws which are wet cut.

I like the way you jacked that saw up to a level that was comfortable for you instead of having to bend over excessively when using it.

When I had a shop, I avoided coolant like the plague since, back then, the coolant would get rancid, especially if you didn't run the machine every day. Coolant additives may have advanced since then but on our bandsaw, we picked a middle of the road solution between totally dry and flooded. Someone made a "grease-stick" that was about the size of a grease cartridge, but solid, like a crayon. Every-so-often we would plunge that crayon into the running bandsaw blade and it seemed to help blade life. I think we bought them thru MSC.

 

[Shield Arc]

I like the way you jacked that saw up to a level that was comfortable for you instead of having to bend over excessively when using it.

One of these days I'm going to make a stand for it. I used the timbers just to see if I liked that height. Well it seems as I must like the height.