for the builders who have made their own chassis what tool would you most like to have to make life easier.
When I built my 1st locost i used an abrasive cut off saw, quick but the grit gets everywhere, now i'm building another one i'm thinking of
getting a small metal cutting bandsaw. Just interested in what people have used/ think is invaluable.
Tim
quote:
Originally posted by timf
for the builders who have made their own chassis what tool would you most like to have to make life easier.
When I built my 1st locost i used an abrasive cut off saw, quick but the grit gets everywhere, now i'm building another one i'm thinking of getting a small metal cutting bandsaw. Just interested in what people have used/ think is invaluable.
Tim
I think if you do get a bandsaw it's only worth getting a good one, I was luck enough to be able borrow a big 3 phase one to cut up the plate for
my upright and it practically fell through it and that's 3mm, I also used it to cut up 60mm x 3mm tube, which was OK, but not desperately
accurate, and you had to go in on a corner (no good trying to get it to cut into a face). Liquid cooled metal blade chop saw would probably be a very
nice tool to work with.
Kingr
I posted this earlier... but it's vanished (probably due to ChrisW's reboot)
I used a hacksaw - cheap, effective and accurate.
At least, it's all these things if you spend some money on a really good hacksaw frame and on some decent quality bi-metal blades with the
correct tooth pitch for the job.
It also gives a decent amount of physical exercise!
For me, in my crowded garage attached to the house, it also meant not covering everything in abrasive grit, and very little noise. Finally it takes
very little storage space!
David
masochist. only joking dave
i did 1/2 the firs't chassis i built with a hacksaw then got fed up and brought an abrasive saw, yes the dust/ grit does go every where.
a small tip for those intent on using a hacksaw , make a mitre box for cutting the angles it makes life alot eaiser and accurate
[Edited on 23/5/03 by timf]
Bi-Metal hacksaw blades? Are these common or more special? I've just been using Stanley "lyon" IIRC, do they consitute bi-metal or am I
using the wrong tool for the job?
Kingr
And add to that:
what's the correct teeth per inch to use?
Thanks,
James
The aim is to get a minimum of 2 teeth in the work at any time. For 1.6mm, this means 32 teeth per inch ('scuse the mixed measuring systems 
)
Ideally, it's 3 teeth in the work, but you can't get 48tpi blades! (not easily, anyroads)
David
(TGIF)
When I built mine I used a hacksaw, a grinderette and a B&D Workmate.
All indispensible.
Now, I've got a bandsaw that will also go vertical and I wonder why I didn't get one in first place, sooo much easier. Even makes short work
of small bits of ali sheet cutting.
Rob Lane
Why do they produce anything other than 32tpi? If you want a minimum?
What's the benefit of larger teeth?
I've been using 32tpi for the car (as that was what was lying around!) but we'd had blades with less than that which I've used in the
past and they appear to crack more easily.
Cheers,
James
Who should've paid more attention in CDT at school!
I got a couple of used frames from a car boot sale about a quid each, good makes, and put coarse and fine blades in to save swapping. I have a
14" abrasive chop saw that I bought when cutting my chassis tube and it has been used for several other projects, trailers, security grills etc.
but the things I think make life easier during the build are clamps, grips and clecos once you get into building proper.
yours, Pete.
quote:
Originally posted by kingr
Bi-Metal hacksaw blades? Are these common or more special?
quote:
Originally posted by James
Why do they produce anything other than 32tpi? If you want a minimum?
What's the benefit of larger teeth?
I've been using 32tpi for the car (as that was what was lying around!) but we'd had blades with less than that which I've used in the past and they appear to crack more easily.
Cheers,
James
Who should've paid more attention in CDT at school!
The most useful tool I have is a 9 inch angle grinder with a stand to make it like a chop saw.
The most useful tool I want is a big compressor.
You can get all sorts of power tools to work of an airline and they are less bulky than electrical equivalents.
Terry
ps. Anybody know where to get a good compressor from without taking a second mortgage?
I want about 9cfm FAD.
[Edited on 26/5/03 by Spyderman]
i cheated and brought 2 £100 5 fad cfm compressors from B&Q and joined them together, The result quite happily runs my home made sand blasting
cabinet (£25)
Tim
quote:
Originally posted by timf
i cheated and brought 2 £100 5 fad cfm compressors from B&Q and joined them together, The result quite happily runs my home made sand blasting cabinet (£25)
Tim
quote:
ps. I presume you don't have any power problems when both compressors kit in together - like blowing fuses or triping circuits?