Metal cutting band saw, acetylene torch, plasma cutter, grinder or sawzall???

[Spooled-up]

To go along with my welding project, I'll need a way to cut metal up to 1/4" thick. I'd really like a vertical metal cutting bandsaw, and I may have a lead on a good one, but they are expensive and I may not be able to afford one. What other ways do you guys recommend cutting the metal to size that I want to weld that is fairly affordable, will cut fairly cleanly, and will cut up to 1/4" steel without taking way too long?



What do you use?

 

[Hoefler]

I use a band saw that can be found at Grizzly, Harbor Freight, MFA, Northern Hydraulic, etc. . They are all made the same way if not by the same manufacture, just different colors. They all run about $175. 00 - $300. 00, depending on who you get one from. They may be a little slower, but the cut is clean and accurate. I also use a Plasma cutter and a Oxy-Acetylene torch as well, but you will have to clean up the cut before you weld in and if it showed. Plasma cutters big enough to cut 1/4" are pricey, over a $1,000. 00. You can get one that will severe 1/4", but it will not be pretty, and you will still spend over $700. 00 for a decent one. I have used a band saw for years, and I would take it over any other method. Check out this thread: https://www.turbodieselregister.com...es-your-average-bare-bones-flatbed-weigh.html. All the cuts were using a band saw and plasma cutter.

 

[GOlsen]

Each of the tools you listed all have their benefits and disadvantages. Mostly based on what you're going to use it for. If you're going to be cutting a large plate, a bandsaw isn't going to be your best option. If you're only going to be cutting 1/4" thick bar stock, a bandsaw would work well. It all just depends on what type of 1/4" metal you'll be cutting.

 

[tgordon]

What size of plates you will be cutting will be a big determineing factor in what would be best, along with what other uses you have for it. On the farm the torch is indespensable for other tasks also, and when we bought it there was no other option. we would just use that and after you do enough cutting you will learn how to cut and need minimal cleanup before welding.

 

[BHenn]

I am a weekend welder, love it, but just for myself at this point. I started my "career" cutting everything with a sawzall. Big mistake and I learned that was probably the worst choice out there. That thing will rattle your teeth out and I couldn't even luck into anything close to a straight cut. Next was a chop saw made by Milwaukee. I bought it at Home Depot for about $160. The blades are about $5-$7 each and last fairly long. I think it is a very well made tool, but not exactly made for making precise cuts. It does not make long cuts thru plate steel very well, and long with this tool would be anything over about 2" in my opinion. To cut plate with the chop saw the plate is placed on edge, and then chopped. A 2" or longer cut will eat up a blade pretty quick. It will also "glaze" the blade and severly retard the blades cutting efficiency. I think the chop saw excels at cutting square stock, pipe, and the like. It does okay on A-iron also. I am still using mine. Not the greatest tool for cutting steel, but I do not regret buying it by any means. What I use for making long cuts in plate is a 5" grinder with an abrasive wheel. I have heard some call it a death wheel as they can come apart it used incorrectly. I recently made a wood burning tent stove and cut all my 1/8th plate with this tool. I made several cuts in excess of 20". What I found to work for me was to mark my plate and then set up a fence to cut against. I used a long length of A-iron for the fence. I was able to cut very, very straight using this method. Poor mans method, but it works. Don't expect to blaze thru in record time with this method though, or you may indeed find out why some call it a death wheel. If you have the bucks I would agree that a band saw is where it is at. I would love one. My welding supply store that I frequent sells Jet saws and they look just trick. Big bucks I would guess. And whatever you decide to cut with, never, ever forget your glasses. Better yet glasses and a shield. Keep in mind I am an amateur. Just letting you know what works for me. Remember, fitment of the steel you are joining is where all the work is. Actual welding time is usually pretty short. A straight cut is sure critical to a sound project.



Brent

 

[RHestand]

For cutting plate steel IMO it's hard to beat a plasma cutter and a straight-edge. ($?)

Ray

 

[GOlsen]

For cutting plate steel IMO it's hard to beat a plasma cutter and a straight-edge. ($?)
Ray

Agreed. With a straight edge, you can make pretty good cuts with a torch. It does require a pretty steady hand to get a clean cut though. But, if you get a torch, you can use it for a lot of other things too (burning out bolts, etc. ).

 

[CWebster]

What is your power capabillities? 110, 220, 440?



Categories



Since your amongst the manufacturing center of America, and considering the state of manufacturing, there is lots of equipment available at great prices. On the link above, halfway down the page is a W. F. Wells 110v bandsaw that will probably go for a very reasonable price. Could be a very inexpensive and reliable entry into cutting material. I think your close enough that a half a days worth of driving will get you there (Grand Rapids) and back. Check locally also as the rate of manfuacturing auctions has been very robust the last 5 years. Would be nice to see equipment get bought and used instead of sitting in storage or scrapped... .

 

[Spooled-up]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've got 220 available in the garage. I'm thinking a vertical band saw would be the best option, but finding one for a reasonable price is proving to be difficult. I've found a couple of 3 phase saws that I could get a 220V motor for, but I'm not sure if all the controls will work properly. Some of these saws have quite a few knobs and buttons on them.



A plasma cutter is out of my price range right now.



If anyone knows of any used equipment within a half a days drive of Cincinnati, OH, let me know. Thanks for the link CWebster, but I'm looking for something a little larger than the saw in that auction. Seems that prices on eBay are running anywhere from 500 to 15000 for a large vertical band saw. The cheaper ones are usually 3 phase or are in terrible shape which I assume would mean bad mechanical condition in most cases. If I can find one locally that I can see in operation, I'd have no problem if it looked bad as long as it worked good.

 

[rbattelle]

If anyone knows of any used equipment within a half a days drive of Cincinnati, OH, let me know.

BANDSAW BANDSAW BANDSAW!! Oo. Oo. I LOVE mine. Here's the story of mine. Most fun I've had with machinery to date.

I'm quite unimpressed with the modern renditions of vertical bandsaws, so I'm a big proponent of rebuilding old stuff. My saw is only 16" throat but weighs at least 1200 lb. A new Enco 18" machine only weighs something like 800 lb.

There are a number of machinery dealers in the Cincinnati/Dayton area. I bought my machine from AMS. CW Wood Machinery is in Cincy. I haven't been there, but their website shows some really good stuff.

Then, of course, there's the Mecca of machinery - HGR Industrial Surplus. I visited there once - when I walked in the door the sky opened up and a voice from heaven said "welcome to paradise".

Bear in mind you're going to pay more going to a dealer. My saw cost me $600 (they were asking $1000, I think), and I probably overpaid by about $200.

If you want any advice at all on purchasing or evaluating a band saw, I've become somewhat experienced with them. I'd be happy to tag along and look at machines anytime.

Steel that won't fit in my bandsaw I've been cutting with my Skil worm drive saw and an abrasive wheel. Works remarkably well.

As someone else mentioned, a band saw can be tiring making very long cuts. But they cut quiet, cool, and with very little mess. And they're extremely versatile in terms of non-straight cutting (scroll cuts, for example).

Ryan

 

[BGarofalo]

Torch with a straight edge. When you get the hang of it you can cut just as good as a plasma cutter. Torches have so many other uses and they arent too expensive if you rent the bottles. That would be my vote.

 

[Grizzly]

For cutting plate steel IMO it's hard to beat a plasma cutter and a straight-edge. ($?)

Ray

X 2 on the Plasma Cutter.

 

[magothy1]

For thinner stuff get the 4. 5" metal cutting wheels for a side grinder, go slow, no cleanup. Hard to beat a torch in a good hand, tho. I drink too much coffee to be steady. Skilsaw and blade can do wonders. All depends on your space and $$$$.

 

[nickleinonen]

Hard to beat a torch in a good hand, tho. I drink too much coffee to be steady.

i can sever stuff good with the smoke wrench. . make a pretty clean cut not so much but sometimes i can do good [and my arms are burned all over by the spatter/slag from cutting. . i really should start wearing my welding jacket when cutting and maybe some cutting goggles too, as for most of the cutting i do at work, i cut by braille...

 

[MChildress]

I have acetylene,plasma,porta band,a couple chop saws,sawzall depends on what your cutting size,thickness,ect. The plasma will spoil you.

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

I have acetylene,plasma,porta band,a couple chop saws,sawzall depends on what your cutting size,thickness,ect. The plasma will spoil you.

I couldn't agree more with you they all have there place and purpose you know what they say the right tool for the right job

 

[icman95]

I'm a backyard welder, too and started off by putting a metal cutting wheel in my circular saw. Works pretty well, actually. A few bucks for the wheel and no bucks for the saw since I already had it. Can't do everything with it and it's a slow way to go. I REALLY wanted a plasma cutter so I looked and looked and found CHEAP ONES on ebay. I was skeptical because of the cheap price, but I got one sufficient for homeowner use new for under $400. Granted it's the made in China stuff and the owner's maunal is horrible, but it works great. Comes without a plug on the end of the wires so you can set it up for either 110v or 220v-your choice. Beyond that it comes with all the stuff you need to get started. Bought it last December and used it a few times since. Love it. Keep looking on ebay-maybe the same retailer will have more on there.

 

[AClayton]

I just purchased a Milwaukee 14" chop saw that looks similar to the chop saw you can get at Home Depot but uses a metal cutting blade instead of the black abrasive blades. Super clean cuts,very accurate,ability to change angles quickly and best of all much faster cuts. I cut a piece of 5" C-channel last night in a few seconds. Even a commercial/Industrial band saw will not cut that fast!!Very pricey for a chop saw at $440. 00 but when you cut that fast,it is worth every penny. Only problem is that they are relatively new to the market and you need to order through a dealer. Dewalt also recently designed one and they retail for around the same money. If all you do is weekend welding like I do,then I think this will work for you also. If you,re interested,I can give you a Model #. I made a railing last night for my home and had the steel cut in a hurry... I have used the bandsaw and abrasive chop saw also and I can tell this tool is far superior. As for the bandsaw... . just a $230. 00 cheapo that I've had for years... Import!The more Industrial ones will be much quicker but it has been my experience that the chop saw is faster and better and by far the easiest to change angles with.

 

[ryecreek]

if ya dont have one ya need a torch and grinder to start id get that before a welder. once ya learn to use a torch(practice w/knowledge) you would not ever be without one

 

[DJW]

AClayton, regarding that 14" metal blade chop saw. Years ago I used a German one, it was the same size as the large industrial abrasive blade cut off saws, but this one used a metal blade blade about 24"? Dry cut, a lot of noise and sparks, had to be extremely cautious cutting metal structural steel and angle-iron. Years ago I almost bought a cold cut saw, cost around $2,000 at the time, wet cut, a machine tool room quality, down to thous. Is your blade Tipped? how much cutting life before resharpening, if it can be resharpened, often one can buy a assesory sharpener with the saw so not have to take blades to be resharpened. Trouble is, unless one can rent or try a tool often one is disapointed after using it for a time and see it's short comings. Once I was coping a lot of 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" pipe and was seriously thinking of setting up my plasma in a machine and design it and doing the coping, that way you'd cope two pieces at one cut. (2 for 1) I have built machinery for an employer by never designed or made my own. I favor the large band saws, simply because one can walk away from them while they cut, I used to cut about 20 lengths at a time of 1 1/4" sch. 40 steel pipe, tack the free ends, (drop end of pipe) to prevent turning but in reality had them cut to length cheaper than I could do it myself by the steel supplier. When I worked for an employer I often had to make do with the tools he had, when I had my own business I could buy what I needed. Your saw capable of cutting 5" channel is a real buy at $440. (sure you didn't steel it?)