How do I cut metal (pipe, sheet and channel)??

[Laminarman]

I find myself doing more welding and more projects with metal lately, and now realize getting metal cut elsewhere is a pain. How can I do it myself?

I am currently trying to cut 1/4 inch weldable steel, and my cut off wheel on my chop saw is not cutting it (pardon the pun). I may also need to cut metal pipe for a roll cage for a race car, sheet metal for other projects....etc. I tried a cut off tool with my air compressor, but it's sloppy. I need clean edges. Is there a different wheel? I got a cut off wheel from Lowes for $10, but it ain't working. Thanks for the help.

 

[daedong]

<font color="blue"> I am currently trying to cut 1/4 inch weldable steel, and my cut off wheel on my chop saw is not cutting it </font>

Why will it not cut? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
A 14" cut off wheel would cut railway iron

 

[GEB]

Plasma cutter!
If you run clean air you can cut very clean.
There's all sorts of ways to cut stright lines and perfect circles.
A good 220v machine will cut 1/2in or better.
A chop saw works well for cages, use a metal hole saw to
cut your notches to connect your tubing.
I have a Jeep shop and do all sorts of custom fab work.
My plasma cutter was money well spent!
Gene

 

[MadReferee]

Get one of those 4" x 6" bandsaws from Harbor Freight or similar for under $200. They work and with a few mods they can be made to work even better. There are several sites and forums on the web that have info on how to make them work well. I have one and it performs well.

 

[Laminarman]

Plasma cutter's too expensive. I hope I didn't mislead. I'm using one of those 10" metal cutting blades on my regular woodworking compound miter saw (just swapped out blades from my regular wood trim work blade). Generated enough heat to melt the plastic base of the saw slightl...bummer. It gouged the metal and sits there making sparks, but won't go any further. New blade helped a little, but then stopped cutting as well. I'm afraid of pushing too hard and breaking the blade, but I'm bearing down as it is.

 

[bgott]

I've had this problem with my 14" chop saw. It seems like you get the edge of the wheel too hot and it turns to glass. I was cutting a 4" x 6" block of steel in half and it was a little too much for the saw. When it would quit cutting I started dressing the cutting edge with a file. I would just use the end of the file like a grinding wheel dresser and it seemed to work pretty well. I set the file down in front of the wheel and slowly lowered the wheel down on the sharp corner. DISCLAIMER!: I am sure this is highly unsafe so you probably shouldn't try it. If you do wear safety glasses *and* a face shield and a leather apron at the least. There are recent posts on a blacksmithing site I frequent pertaining to a guy losing part of his giblets from a grinding wheel exploding, take care when working with stuff that rotates at high speed!

 

[Larry_Van_Horn]

I too find that my chop saw will get hot and just not cut any more. I would recommend that you get an oxy_acet cutting torch. Much cheaper than a plasma cutter and you will find it very useful in heating metal to bend it. I use mine all the time. With practice you will be able to cut pretty straight and clean, just takes practice.
Larry

 

[hockeyhead]

A 4" wide by 6" thick by undetermined length should be cut in a band saw . Preferably clamped in a liquid cooled horizontal, but a vertical band saw is better than a chop saw if available.

 

[MarkV]

Careful using your woodworking saw to cut metal. As you have already seen it generates a great deal of heat and the bearings on a wood saw are not made to take it. A metal cutting chop saw would be a good investment if you have a number of projects coming up.

MarkV

 

[Egon]

Sounds like you may need more than one tool.

A proper cutoff saw
torch
pipe cutter
mechanical hacksaw or metal cutting band saw

A reciprocating saw with proper blade will also give nice clean cuts as will a hand operated hacksaw.

Egon