Metal Cutting Tools

[legion]

I'm getting my welding rig together. So far I have a Lincoln 140T welder, and 55 cu. ft. tank filled with 75% Argon and 25% CO2, a welding car, gloves, jacket, and apron.

One thing I need to be able to do to make things out of metal is to cut metal.

I have an angle grinder, but that seems inadequate for making long, straight cuts in steel.

I'd like to be able to cut up to 1/8" steel, which works out to be about 10 gauge if my math is right.

Any recommendations on a tool for doing metal cutting?

I've looked at shears, and they seems to get very pricey very quickly. I supposed I could put some kind of metal-cutting blade in my table saw, but the sparks are a deal killer and the blades would wear out quickly.

[Shawn 357]

I use a die grinder, plasma cutter, or even a sawz-all depending on what I'm cutting. A good quality shear that will cut 10 gauge will be pricey.

[legion]

I can think of lots of things that can cut 10 gauge that are in my budget. Heck, a small oxy-acetylene rig only runs $200-300.

The issue is that none of the things I seem to be able to afford can cut reliably straight lines...

[Shawn 357]

We have a very good shop set up between me, my brother and my dad but as far as something that cuts long straight lines I have always had to fall back on patience and my die grinder unfortunately. Cleaning up an edge after using a cutting torch takes me more time and grinding wheels than if I just cut it initially with the grinder. Now that I think about it I have used a jig saw but I didn't get that great of results. We just need to find a place that sells good quality water jets for $200

Check out the Shop section of race-dezert.com, I know that they had a long thread in there months ago when a guy was trying to find a cheap shear with some really good info. If I remember correctly there was a big price difference between something that cut 12 gauge vs. 10 gauge reliably.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

[sc_rufctr]

Would a band saw be any good? (with built in coolant pump and reservoir)

They are very versatile and with a different blade you could cut wood and aluminum.
Also.. They are pretty cheap considering their complexity. (Chinese or Taiwanese made)

Starrett make excellent blades for most models that will cut just about anything.
Saw Products - The L.S. Starrett Company

[legion]

It seems to me that hooking up a shear blade to a bottle-jack hydraulic press would be able to do the trick.

[pete3799]

Clamp a piece of angle iron and run the torch along the face of the angle iron.

[jim72911t]

I think a band saw would be your best bet. In your price range, you can buy a decent quality older (used) vertical band saw, or a crappy quality (new) combination horizontal/vertical one. The problem with most new band saws in your price range are that they are all Chinese junk, but the combination saws can be handy, especially if you are going to be cutting any bar stock. We have one at work, but over the last decade it has been modified with a higher horsepower motor, a double pulley/belt system, and flood coolant. What started out as a $200 band saw is now a $1000 band saw, but at least it is somewhat seviceable.

(For reference, we have a new, fully automatic horizontal band saw being delivered Wednesday. Price? $22K delivered. )

Another option if you want really long, straight cuts, is to have your local steel/fab shop cut it on their shear. IIRC, mine charges me something like $10 a cut if you buy the material from them. Get to know them a bit and bring in a six pack or donuts once in a while, and you can likely get some "preferential" pricing.

Have fun.

[steve185]

Get a cut off saw, it will make straight and angled cuts. You should be ablke to get one for $125. I have used mine to make lots of projects.
Steve

[willtel]

What about a plasma cutter with a roller guide for straight cuts? It seems a plasma cutter would be far more useful than a sheer and it would be portable and easier to store.

[JMPRO]

Get the "Dual saw". Billy can't be wrong.
https://www.dualsaw.com/flare/next

[williecoyote]

How about an abrasive blade in an old POS circular saw. I have cut beer kegs in half, 1/2" steel plates, etc with this setup.

The blades are < $3.00 at the hardware store.

[williecoyote]

How about an abrasive blade in an old POS circular saw. I have cut beer kegs in half, 1/2" steel plates, etc with this setup.

The blades are < $3.00 at the hardware store.

[rick-l]

Harbor freight?

4x6bandsaw : 4x6bandsaw

Not the highest quality but seem to work. Tighten the P out of the blade.

[Zeke]

You can use an angle grinder and a straight edge. You don't have to cut all the way thru. Score half way on one side or less on both sides and bend it. It will break at the score.

Give yourself an 1/8th over, scribe a straight line and grind to your mark. For less than 1/8th steel, you can use power shears and do just about anything.

[legion]

Thanks guys, a band saw seems like the most realistic option for me.

Next question:

When poking around band saws, I found several band saw welders and several band saws with build-in welders. Do most band saws require that the blade be welded on?

This seems to be a decent band saw that will meet my needs:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_78159-46069-PCB330BS_0_?productId=3162487&Ntt=band+saw&Ntk=i_products&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntk=i_products$rpp=15$Ntt=band%20saw$Ns=p _product_price

[Zeke]

The welders are for making your own blades, silly. You will use so many blades cutting steel that you might want to buy bulk. Metal working can be very expensive. Ask me how I know.

[dlockhart]

Originally Posted by legion

Thanks guys, a band saw seems like the most realistic option for me.

Next question:

When poking around band saws, I found several band saw welders and several band saws with build-in welders. Do most band saws require that the blade be welded on?

The welder is also used to cut thru pockets in blocks of steel.
You drill the corners, feed the blade thru then re weld it
Saw the pocket, then cut the blade.
It is an old school die maker technique.

Now-a-days we just cnc the pocket and turn it all into chips. Back then many a pocket slug was turned into V blocks and other precision tools by apprentices.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by legion

Thanks guys, a band saw seems like the most realistic option for me.

Next question:

When poking around band saws, I found several band saw welders and several band saws with build-in welders. Do most band saws require that the blade be welded on?

This seems to be a decent band saw that will meet my needs:

Shop PORTER-CABLE 14" 2-Speed Floor Model Band Saw at Lowes.com

That looks like a woodworking saw to me.

Depending on the job, I use a variety of tools. Angle grinder for portability, cleaning rust, and inconvenient locations. A sawzall with a good blades, or a metal bandsaw like these:

G0622 4" x 6" Metal-Cutting Bandsaw

Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Bandsaw

I suggest starting with a sawzall & grinder, then assessing your needs.

[legion]

What about this?

Black Bull 4-1/2 In. Professional Duty Metal Band Saw - MBS45 at The Home Depot