Cutting 1/8" steel plate to make a 1930 Diebold Safe fit a space?

[Hugh R]

I just moved and there is a perfect spot to stick my 1930's Diebold Safe, the trouble is I need to cut off a portion of the back flange to make it fit the spot. Cutting drywall is not an option as the foundation and existing cabinets won't allow it.

Question? I have an industrial duty worm drive, right angle drive Skil saw, with the right abrasive cut-off blade can I cut off 1/8" steel plate, or should I hire a welder to do the deed?

Edit: I'm sure what you see is red lead primer underneath the paint, and yes I do know how to protect myself from lead welding and cutting dust/fumes.

[GWN7]

A grinder you would be there for a week. Plasma cutter.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Was that safe's OEM color Signal Orange?

[Hugh R]

No black, that is a red lead primer.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Ahh!! It looks like my dad's 914 original color in the pics here at home.
Confucius see many sparks and house fires hazards in future it one attempts grinder.
I've had some limited luck with saw-zaws and metal blades at slow speeds in thicker metals, but that's not what you have. I would experiment with stuff, such as your angle drill, but allude to/admit nothing if experimental cutting doesn't work, and then get plasma cutter when tired of messing with other options.

[fanaudical]

+1 on the plasma cutter.

[cstreit]

I've cut 1/8" mild steel using a 3" cutoff wheel no problem. I wouldn't want to do more than about 6-8" though.

[SeanPizzle]

4" cut off wheel with angle grinder. Ear, eye and respiratory PPE. No worries. Use gloves as angle grinders are the most dangerous tool in my arsenal.

[sc_rufctr]

You'll need a thin kerf cut off wheel. The thinner the better. Only then will you known how mild the steel really is.
If it has a high carbon content then the only real option is a plasma cutter.

Seems like a big job. Good luck.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by SeanPizzle

4" cut off wheel with angle grinder. Ear, eye and respiratory PPE. No worries. Use gloves as angle grinders are the most dangerous tool in my arsenal.

This. Buy a 10 pack of cut wheels and get to town. Shouldn't take more than 30 mins.

[Bill Douglas]

Hugh, I don't want to sound like a know it all... But I know about this

If you do go down the cut off disk route don't be looking directly down on the blade and cut like they do on Orange County Choppers. If it does fly to bits as they often do, it will fly off in the same plane as the rotation. Line up your cut and keep your head to the left of the cutting job. It's just like a chainsaw in this way; let it fly off over your right shoulder.

Have fun and good luck.

[DanielDudley]

Steel blade in a sawzall with cutting fluid will cut that faster and easier than an angle grinder with very little drama. Get a five pack of blades, but if you oil it you won't need them all.

[oldE]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Question? I have an industrial duty worm drive, right angle drive Skil saw, with the right abrasive cut-off blade can I cut off 1/8" steel plate,

Hugh
In the time it took to read all these posts you could have worn out about four blades and have finished the job.
No angle grinder, guys.
Best
Les

[Hugh R]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll let you know what happens. Won't be for a few weeks until I finish unpacking all the junk we moved.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Edit: I'm sure what you see is red lead primer underneath the paint, and yes I do know how to protect myself from lead welding and cutting dust/fumes.

Pssshhaw! What do you know about safety!

[dad911]

My order of attack:
1)Plasma Cutter
2)Oxy-acet torch
3)Sawzall with a good blade

If you don't have any of above, pay a welder to bring his torches over.

[rwest]

Hugh,

Didn't you just retire?

Hacksaw, you have lots of time to get it finished!

[carmad]

I would use cut off wheel or one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0046VUGSU/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3EKODBNTRPD2I&colid=2LL762U91ZN7

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rwest

Hugh,

Didn't you just retire?

Hacksaw, you have lots of time to get it finished!

ROFL. Nice.

[Brando]

I have to agree with the plasma cutter approach. It will be the cleanest and quickest but might set you back a hundred bucks or so.