How To Cut Half Inch Steel?

[jimainiac]

I have an old cutting edge left over from replacing it on my nine foot snowplow and I'd like to cut it shorter to bolt it onto my seven foot rear blade for some extra weight. It is half inch steel, about five inches wide. I don't have a cutting torch, and I'd like a smooth cut anyway. I tried cutting it with a Sawzall with a 10 TPI Milwaukee "Torch" metal cutting blade with no luck. I bought some assorted sizes of cutoff blades for my four and a half inch portable grinder. I wonder if one of those would work? Or any other suggestions?

 

[TRR]

The 1/8" abrasive wheels in the angle grinder will work, just don't be in a hurry. I've cut 3/8" by 4" steel with one. Be sure to use the thin wheel. BTW there is a type 1 and a type 27 abrasive, I have some of both and are trying them out to see if I can tell the difference. The jury is still out, but leaning toward the type 27 as the better one.

 

[hodge]

A cutting wheel (the thin one) for your grinder will cut it. There will be lots of sparks, so stand to the side so that it doesn't catch your cloths on fire. It will give you a clean cut, but you will still need to use a grinding wheel to clean the edges up.
Have you thought of taking it to a shop? They would probably cut it down for you for a small charge, probably comparable to buying grinding wheels.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Take it to a shop that has a bandsaw. It could also be plasma cut and ground smooth or you could use a big dewalt abrasive chop saw.

I would hope you could find somebody to saw it for $30 if they'll do that small of a minimum charge.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Do you need a small amount cut from each end to center the mounting holes?

 

[BHD]

if you have a stick welder one can turn up the amps and burn cut it with welding rod, and then grind it smooth, to cut you strike an arc and just push the molten metal out of the grove with the stick, 6011 works,

and there are special cutting rods one can buy,

 

[strum456]

I use worn out abrasive cut off wheels from my chop saw on my 9" milwaukee grinder for jobs like this. I have cut 1" already this way. Just make sure the arbor centers the wheel and tightens properly.

 

[k0ua]

Another vote for the bandsaw.. easy job for it. I realize you don't have one, but any friends with one.? or take it to a shop, Yes the cutting disk will work, but it will take a while, and you need to do it outside, lots of sparks. I wish you were close, I would cut it for free on my bandsaw.

James K0UA

 

[Zebrafive]

A snow plow cutting edge is hardened. It will ruin a bandsaw blade.

 

[k0ua]

A snow plow cutting edge is hardened. It will ruin a bandsaw blade.

Well I didn't think of that. Then I would get the torch out.. that explains why he had no luck with the metal blade in the sawzall.

 

[k0ua]

A snow plow cutting edge is hardened. It will ruin a bandsaw blade.

Well I didn't think of that. Then I would get the torch out.. that explains why he had no luck with the metal blade in the sawzall.

 

[/pine]

I would try .045 abrasive cutting wheels and see if you can etch a straight line across your mark...it should not take more than 2 disks to cut 5"'s of 1/2" hardened steel...if it etches a groove across the 5" stay with it and take your time to maintain the cut line and get the most out of the disks...if it is so hard that the disk wants to skate I would opt for a torch or plasma cutter...if the .045 wheel is ineffective it will be just as hard to grind smooth with an abrasive grinding disk... if it's that hard it may be easier to snap it off if you can make some control cuts at either edge... JMO...

 

[ericher69]

A snow plow cutting edge is hardened. It will ruin a bandsaw blade.

Not so!

Lenox has a number of bandsaw blades that will cut this material

 

[strum456]

The cheapest and fastest method is going to be a grinder with a cut off disc. There are so many ways this could be done. There are definitely better ways than a grinder, given an unlimited budget. A 7 or 9" grinder with the correct disc will really shine in this application compared to a 4.5". It will take you a lot longer to read all the replies in this thread than it would to cut your steel with a 9" grinder.

 

[jimainiac]

Wow, thanks for all the advice, so fast! I'll try the cut-off wheels in my 4 1/2" grinder. I just had regular grinding wheels, so I stopped at the hardware store and got one of every thickness and type of cutoff wheel they had that fit my grinder. Some are type 1 and some are type 27. Thicknesses .045", 080", 090", and 1/8". They're not that expensive, so if it takes a couple that would be okay. I hated to ruin that Sawzall blade right off the bat, though, with no results.

 

[crazyal]

I would avoid using a band saw. Even if you did get blades that wouldn't dull it'll still take forever. A cut off wheel on your grinder would work but my guess is you'll go through a lot of them. I would call a few welders in the area and ask how much they would charge to cut it with a plasma cutter. You could find someone willing to do it at the end of the day for a 6 pack or for real cheap since it'll only take a few minutes to set up and cut it. Plus they could cut both ends so the holes don't end up in funky locations.

 

[duroc]

Wow, thanks for all the advice, so fast! I'll try the cut-off wheels in my 4 1/2" grinder. I just had regular grinding wheels, so I stopped at the hardware store and got one of every thickness and type of cutoff wheel they had that fit my grinder. Some are type 1 and some are type 27. Thicknesses .045", 080", 090", and 1/8". They're not that expensive, so if it takes a couple that would be okay. I hated to ruin that Sawzall blade right off the bat, though, with no results.

You might also want to buy/wear a dust mask. The abrasive wheel dust is tough on the lungs.

 

[Deere Dude]

Do you have any neighbors with a 14" chop saw? Those work great for that stuff.

 

[Frankdozer]

I've been a steel worker for 42 years, 25 of those on my own. My first choice would be the Chop Saw. Second choice if my Chop Saw was down would be the hand grinder with cutting blade. Cutting edges are tool / hardened steel. All other ways will fail. Now everyone tell me I'm wrong................Frank

 

[71bronco]

Should take about 3 minutes max with a grinder. You're way over thinking this.

Jeff