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metal cutter recommendations
omega0684 - 24/7/09 at 10:21 AM

morning guys

i have no idea where to start on this one, im looking for a metal cutter, for cutting box section accuretly etc at different angles?

what do i need to be looking for, price, makes models, reliability, quality etc

cheers

Alex


Mr Whippy - 24/7/09 at 10:32 AM

all depends on how much your cutting and from that what you are prepared to spend. If its not much then I'd use a disk saw, if loads then a band saw


dinosaurjuice - 24/7/09 at 10:33 AM

a metal cutting bandsaw is the best.

but they cost about £230

i would look out for a second hand one, i doubt youll regret buying it after using it a few times.


scottc - 24/7/09 at 10:37 AM

hacksaw and some spinach


Mr Whippy - 24/7/09 at 10:39 AM

At least with the band saw you can use coolant and there's no sparks, it’s also far quieter

But you do need to check on blade availability as you can bet it will snap when the shops shut. I broke the work one several times out of carelessness or forcing it to cut to quickly. You also need to check the teeth spacing is correct for what your cutting, you need at least a couple over the cutting area, if the spacing is more than the area your cutting then the teeth will usually chip or the machine will stick when starting up.


flak monkey - 24/7/09 at 10:51 AM

Either a metal cutting bandsaw or a power hacksaw is the way to do it if you are lazy.

Otherwise just use a hacksaw you lazy git


iank - 24/7/09 at 10:54 AM

Good solid hacksaw handle, high quality bi-metal blades of the right pitch and some cutting lubricant. The time it takes to cut inch tube pales into insignificance in the scheme of things and hacksawing straight is a skill that's with you forever.

or a bandsaw depending on budget and space you have available.

Cheap and nasty hacksaw handles and blades from the local pound shop are no good. I've never got on with chop saws either as the good ones take a long time to set up and the cheap 'hinge for an angle grinder' ones are a waste of time, space and the material you'll waste. They're also noise and dirty things.

Get a decent bench linisher to finish up the tube ends, and/or learn to file accurately


Volvorsport - 24/7/09 at 10:58 AM

rage mitre saw .


r1_pete - 24/7/09 at 11:44 AM

Hacksaw and build a barmaid's, sorry barperson's bicep!!


designer - 24/7/09 at 11:46 AM

Ditto - Rage mitre saw.

Along with Machine Mart disc sander to finish off ends at whatever angle.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cds300-300mm-disc-sander


Peteff - 24/7/09 at 03:41 PM

Get your deaf aid ready when you use the Rage mitre saw, that is a good way to annoy the neighbours.


MikeR - 24/7/09 at 05:29 PM

I did mine the old fashioned way - hacksaw.

Its possible but you get a bit pee'd off eventually. I'd like one of those toothed cutting saws. They don't spin that fast so don't make that much noise. Do good, repeatable cuts .... just wish they where cheaper


907 - 24/7/09 at 07:49 PM

Another vote for a band saw.

A saw is only as good as the blade.
Although twice the price a bi-metal blade does last ten times longer.

Cheers
Paul G


eccsmk - 25/7/09 at 12:23 AM

i used a hacksaw for all my cutting etc
infact we've build 3 race chassis and apart from the odd dodgy blade never felt the need to get a band saw or the like