Cutting 11ga. plate

[MoArk Willy]

I have a table that I want to put a metal top on. I am thinking that a 11ga plate would be fine.
I can get a sheet of that for about $90 locally. I wanted to have it cut into a few sizes so I could use it for other fabrications I have planned.
The steel supply quoted $150 for cutting it into 5 pieces. I thought that was a bit extreme.
Now I am considering purchasing the sheet and cutting it myself.
Sooooo.
I do not have a plasma cutter or torch.
I do have a grinder but I can't see that being very practical to get straight cuts.
Of course I do not have a shear available to me.

What methods will work well for doing this?
I just watched a video with a guy cutting a piece of 3/16" plate with a circular saw and a metal cutting blade.
Is that the route I should go?
Or is it worth it to just pay the steel shop and have them do it? I am not opposed to doing it myself but I am evaluating the way to do that.
Any ideas or help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[CalG]

The circular saw blades are very effective. I've used them for doing the lion's share of cuts on structural steel.
Dress for the task! those red hot bullets fly everywhere!

 

[MoArk Willy]

The circular saw blades are very effective. I've used them for doing the lion's share of cuts on structural steel.
Dress for the task! those red hot bullets fly everywhere!

Thank you.
That was what I was hoping for. I can pick up a cheap saw and a good blade and have something that I can use just for steel.
Besides I like buying more tools.
Thanks for your input.

 

[bikerdib]

A circular saw with metal blade will work since this isn't something you will do a lot of. One suggestion I'll make, don't try to draw lines and manually follow them to cut. Instead, measure how much off-set you will need from the edge of the saw base to the blade then use a 1x4 or something else clamped to the sheet as a guide. That will produce a much smoother and straighter cut. It will also be faster since you won't have to be watching the blade to try and follow a mark on the material.

 

[Big Barn]

I agree with the above suggestions of a metal cutting circ saw blade.

FYI (and imo) if your five pieces you needed cut were square in shape, your metal supplier was wanting way too much money for shearing that sheet. Especially if the sheet was to be purchased from them.

 

[MoArk Willy]

Bikerdib. I cut a lot of sheet goods, plywood and such and am very accustomed to layout and cutting with guides. I have done quite a bit of carpentry over the years. A guide would by my only way to go.
Big Barn. Yeah, I thought it was quite high myself. And they were supplying the sheet goods. The estimate calculated 2 hours to make the cuts. I can't imagine what process would take that long. Scissors maybe?
Do either of you have a recommendation for the saw blade you would use?
Maybe I will retire my old circular saw for metal work and buy a new one for my woodworking project. All in all it will still be cheaper than the $150 they want to cut the sheet to size.
And thanks again for your suggestions and help.

 

[dragoneggs]

Also know that a typical circular saw is going to run at much higher RPMs than a dedicated 'dry cut' saw. This will be very hard on the blades. Ideally find something less than 3600 rpms. 1800 would be best. Some circulars are up to 5400rpm. Bad idea. That said, if you have just a bit cutting in 1/8in material, using an existing 'wood' cutting saw with a metal blade can get you by.

 

[3Ts]

If you're going to get a circular saw, what about one of these:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/evolution-7-1-4-in-9-amp-corded-circular-saw-with-steel-shoe-and-hard-case/1000129715?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-tol-_-google-_-pla-_-129-_-soshandheldpowertools-_-1000129715-_-0&gclid=Cj0KCQjwp5_qBRDBARIsANxdcino0vdmsrSX550DK3URta4D9YBlf3c9wHyDDRMuOukbgqeKY975ClAaArUEEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I do not have one, but from all I've read they might be a good choice. And last time I was in HF I thought I saw a knockoff version of it, but I can't find it on their website.

 

[BukitCase]

For "on the cheap", get one of these for $30 (with 20% coupon)
7-1/4 in. 12 Amp Heavy Duty Circular Saw With Laser Guide System

And one of these for $19
7-1/4 in. 48T Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blade

The blade is an in-store only item, in fact this is the first time I've even seen it mentioned online -

I've used that exact combo to cut 16 gauge, 2 at a time (with guide, of course) - works fine, blade still cuts after about 30 feet (doubled sheets), haven't done any in a few months. I have NOT tried thicker stuff yet. I HAVE read of others doing up to 1/4" plate, but no personal experience on that yet.

For crosscut stuff there's big and small bandsaws and the evosaw380.

Note that the blade is "rated" to 8000 rpm, saw is 5500 rpm. My saw worked the first two times, then wouldn't - took it apart, slave labor didn't bother to tighten 2 of the wires to the switch. Tightened all the connections, used it afterward to cut up about a dumpster load of old siding (used a "construction" blade for that, the metal cutting blade seems to ONLY work for that.)

I have 3 OTHER circ saws (4 if you count the Milwaukee beam saw) but don't use those for any "iffy" stuff, one's a no longer made left blade porter cable that NOBODY gets to use but me, 'nuther one's a Skil worm drive, then a dewalt 6-1/2" 18 volt.

Each has their uses, but the HF saw gets any/all "demolition derby" stuff, 'nuther $30 would replace it if I accidentally dropped the backhoe bucket on it :laughing:

HTH... Steve

WARNING - that HF saw is NOT intended for metal cutting and does NOT have anywhere NEAR as much chip control, I STRONGLY recommend welding leathers, gloves and a face shield if you do this - one of their 30" magnetic sweepers for afterward is a good plan too...

 

[yomax4]

Also know that a typical circular saw is going to run at much higher RPMs than a dedicated 'dry cut' saw. This will be very hard on the blades. Ideally find something less than 3600 rpms. 1800 would be best. Some circulars are up to 5400rpm. Bad idea. That said, if you have just a bit cutting in 1/8in material, using an existing 'wood' cutting saw with a metal blade can get you by.

Correct. You really need a saw that is Made for steel cutting.

 

[mikester]

The steel supply quoted $150 for cutting it into 5 pieces. I thought that was a bit extreme.
Now I am considering purchasing the sheet and cutting it myself.

I think you should spend $3,000 on a new plasma cutter and then you can cut your metal 吐or free? Now you can go into business custom cutting metal for free! You can rent a shop, pay taxes, hire employees, pay more taxes, pay for utilities, pay more taxes...

Why do you expect someone else to work for free when you dont want to yourself?

Naw Im just being cheeky. 11 gauge is like paper. Buy about $60 worth of metal cutting skilsaw blades and cut it yourself. Or spend $1200 on a cheapo nibbler. Or $60 in jigsaw blades. Your time and aggravation is free.

 

[MoArk Willy]

I think you should spend $3,000 on a new plasma cutter and then you can cut your metal 吐or free? Now you can go into business custom cutting metal for free! You can rent a shop, pay taxes, hire employees, pay more taxes, pay for utilities, pay more taxes...

Why do you expect someone else to work for free when you dont want to yourself?

Naw Im just being cheeky. 11 gauge is like paper. Buy about $60 worth of metal cutting skilsaw blades and cut it yourself. Or spend $1200 on a cheapo nibbler. Or $60 in jigsaw blades. Your time and aggravation is free.

Cheeky....naw, I don't think so. I would certainly spend the money if it was my profession or if I did enough of it. I've always been a tool nut but somehow space and finances seem to limit just how "nutty" I can get.
I think I will try the circular saw route. I have been thinking about upgrading my Skilsaw anyway so I will get a few blades for that and see how it goes.
Time to upgrade my woodworking saw anyway.
As far as time and aggravation go, it's like time and money. When you have one you seem to never have the other.
But a plasma cutter...they have gone down quite a bit in cost....
Tine to start thinking about more projects.

 

[dragoneggs]

As someone already suggested, use a guide... and clamp it down. Make a test pass with the blade all the way retracted to see that your push will be nice and smooth and even slow speed. If you have to, wax your saw base to get it to glide easier, then you will be able to control your speed better.

 

[MoArk Willy]

I have been cutting sheet goods for decades...just not sheet metal.
Duct tape on the base helps with the slide as well. And taping the cut line will keep some of the debris from becoming airborne.
Not my first rodeo with cutting flat goods. Once I determine the best way to cut it I will go from there.
So far it's a quality metal cutting blade on a circular saw. The guides I already have.

 

[PILOON]

I have cut many a steel plate with my angle grinder.
I use the very thin blades on my grinder,
For a guide I simply clamp a scrap of angle stock and use it to guide my blade 'til about 1/4 way thru then use that shallow slit to finish the job.
I then draw file for a nice finish.

In fact just yesterday I cut some 1/4" stock for a project using that method.

 

[downsizingnow48]

For thin metal and straight cuts I use a Makita cordless metal saw.

 

[Big Barn]

For thin metal and straight cuts I use a Makita cordless metal saw.

.

My cordless tools are all Makita. I’d be fine with a used Makita in good shape as I wouldn’t be using it a lot.

A fellow has had one for sale locally for almost a year now. Unfortunately he wants too much money and won’t budge on price.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

A special saw is not needed.

I use this diablo blade in a 25 year old skill saw and it works perfectly.

I used only one blade on this full rotation gun turret I built. I cut all the 1/4" sheet pieces and I'm still using the blade.

 

[Big Barn]

Cool lookin gun turret, Dave!

 

[mikester]

Cheeky....naw, I don't think so. I would certainly spend the money if it was my profession or if I did enough of it. I've always been a tool nut but somehow space and finances seem to limit just how "nutty" I can get.
I think I will try the circular saw route. I have been thinking about upgrading my Skilsaw anyway so I will get a few blades for that and see how it goes.
Time to upgrade my woodworking saw anyway.
As far as time and aggravation go, it's like time and money. When you have one you seem to never have the other.
But a plasma cutter...they have gone down quite a bit in cost....
Tine to start thinking about more projects.

Heres a warning about plasma cutters...once you use one you wont want to use anything else! Cuts aluminum, stainless, severs metal fast, leaves a nice edge,... my acetylene torch is feeling neglected.