Bridge I-Beam cutting.

[Deere Dude]

I am in the beginning stages of building a 12x24' bridge across a gully. I have 6 8" 20' I-beams I need to make 24' long.

That means I need to cut another one into 4' sections.

I don't have a torch, bandsaw, plasma cutter or anything fancy. I do have 4-1/2" grinders and chop saws and a couple hundred HF 1/16" abrasive discs for the handhelds.

My question is, would it maybe better to use 4-1/2" abrasives or get diamond discs. I am sure diamonds discs would last longer, but how much longer. If a lot better then I will run down to Home Depot Monday and get a couple or a few. They are about $13 each. I am sure they would be safer from the shattering aspect.

.

Any other ideas about cutting other than the ones mentioned would be helpful. I need the cuts to be fairly straight because I need to butt weld them. I will weld a plate on the sides of the joints also.

 

[4570Man]

I always run the diamond disk because they don’t explode. They last pretty good. I’d say they come close to the claimed 30 times life span.

 

[bcp]

Build a 20 foot bridge, instead...

with a short approach span on each end, if needed.

Bruce

 

[groundcover]

Hire a mobile welding guy to do it !

 

[newbury]

Reads like an excuse to buy Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, toolbox coupons - 10 AMP DEEP CUT VARIABLE SPEED BAND SAW KIT for $100. And maybe a swag table.

 

[CADplans]

Come visit me,, I will cut them for you,,,

or, pay a local fab shop to make the cut,, they can make 4 cuts in 20 minutes total,,,

This is 4 pieces of 1X8 solid steel bar, my saw can cut them all in less than 5 minutes,,

 

[Oldpath05]

I wasn't impressed with this diamond demo>>Lenox MetalMax 4.5" Cut-off Wheel Review & Comparison, Lenox VS Dewalt - YouTube

 

[Big Barn]

Find someone with a plasma cutter or cutting torch. Bandsaw would be way too slow for me.

Depending on web thickness, 8” I beam should only take a minute or two for each cut.
Here’s a pic of plasma cutting 24” I beam for my welding table legs. Probably took me about 5 minutes per cut.

 

[RNeumann]

Metabo vs Cutting Torch - YouTube

Abrasive is fine.... you already own them!

 

[Oldpath05]

After watching that Metabo video (excellent video) I'd go with them, could refab your grinder guard or buy a new Metabo grinder. Metabo 6"X.45"X7/8" Original Slicer Long Life Cutting Wheel (Qty of 5) | eBay

Metabo 6.3353 Grinder Guard Clip 6" Cutoff Wheel Protective Separating Cover | eBay

Metabo WEP15-15 Quick 6" Angle Grinder w/ Paddle Switch 69597646381 | eBay