Cutting copper lugs with oscillating multi tool

[iamhomeless]

I frequently have to cut through 5mmx20mm copper posts at work, I have been using a rotary tool for this, but the dust is definitely annoying and not conducive to some of my goals, I thought about getting a multi tool if there is a blade that would be up to the task.

Do any of you have any experience cutting thicker copper or other thick soft metals with a multitool and can recommend a blade choice?

 

[ArcReactorKC]

I have cut through some much harder steel with the diablo carbide blades from home depot. It works surprisingly well.

It will still make dust of course, but it is more contained I find.

 

[iamhomeless]

I have cut through some much harder steel with the diablo carbide blades from home depot. It works surprisingly well.

It will still make dust of course, but it is more contained I find.

I've cut through plenty of nails and screws at home with my multitool, but the lug size I'm looking to cut is a lot bigger than a screw or bolt, even if it is just copper, so my biggest worry is making sure I don't eat through blades or burn out the tool. Not exploding cutting disks is a huge benefit as would be a lower amount of dust, and considering how much dust I'm making now, anything would be an improvement.

 

[Sumboodie]

Portaband

 

[nbpt100]

You do not need a carbide multi tool blade to cut a soft metal like copper but it may make sense. It will last longer. The biggest mistakes people make with cutting steel/metals with a multi tool is that they try to force the cut and wear through the blade prematurely. Let the tool do the work and do not apply too much pressure.. If you put some oil on the blade it make help cut down on dusting. It will add life to the cutting tool as well.
The other thing you can try to reduce on the dusting is get a helper to hold a vaccum nozzle close to the cut and it may **** up a lot of the dust. Just an idea.

 

[PoorUB]

Copper typically is pretty gummy to cut. A multi tool blade might just plug up. If you can use a bit of lube, just about anything, even WD-40 will help. As for blades any decent bi-metal wood blade should do fine.

 

[shawhite]

Are these post solid or hollow? Is access limited? Multi tool would probably be the last tool I would reach for unless I’m trying to cut them off flush with a floor. Portaband like listed about would be great if access is not an issue. Honestly you could cut 5mm copper with a pipe cutter.

 

[pbon]

Hackzall? Grittier debris, but better than the dust of the dremel or 3” M12 cutoff tool unless you need the finer cut.

 

[iamhomeless]

Are these post solid or hollow? Is access limited? Multi tool would probably be the last tool I would reach for unless I’m trying to cut them off flush with a floor. Portaband like listed about would be great if access is not an issue. Honestly you could cut 5mm copper with a pipe cutter.

Limited access is why o am thinking about a multi tool. Height of the blade and length of the tool are both issues. A hackzall would be ideal if I had a larger access, but I only have a couple mils to slide in a blade, and the body of the tool would prevent the hackzall blade from coming in without bending the hell out of the blade. Multi tool blades already have the bend in them that would give me straight access, I'm just not sure what kind of blade would survive cutting copper without getting gummed up.

 

[toplessHO]

a wax stick will work to reduce dust and gumming of blade

 

[rust in the eye]

I frequently have to cut through 5mmx20mm copper posts at work, I have been using a rotary tool for this, but the dust is definitely annoying and not conducive to some of my goals, I thought about getting a multi tool if there is a blade that would be up to the task.

Do any of you have any experience cutting thicker copper or other thick soft metals with a multitool and can recommend a blade choice?

I'm curious about what it is that you are doing. Are these posts then replaced? Mounted to a substantial piece? Is this simply demolition work?

I'm reminded of a simple method I've used when replacing shock absorbers on some cars. The ones with a single stud mount, usually on top, have the nut threaded quite a ways down a long-ish threaded portion to compress a bushing. Removal here in the rust belt can be tedious. The treads are rusty and the whole shebang wants to spin when you turn the wrench.
Since the worn out shocks are to be discarded many will cut or torch them off to save a bunch of fighting with rust. I'm not suggesting using fire and you are already cutting which suggests the stud if not the whole device is sacrificial. What I am suggesting is putting a deep socket on an extension bar and rocking it back and forth until the stud snaps off.

 

[seber]

Copper will gum up anything that moves fast. For what you are doing, could you use a hand saw? I generally use the coarsest tooth blade I can find in a hacksaw for copper.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Any chance that bolt cutters, cable cutters or a similar shearing tool would work?

 

[gahrajmahal]

I use my Fein multi tool for cutting copper plumbing pipes all the time. I don’t hesitate to cut through fittings or valves either. It just cuts easy, like a hacksaw, but with power. I have a bunch of bi-metal steel blades, cheap generics I use for most everything.

 

[PelicanPines]

I use my Fein multi tool for cutting copper plumbing pipes all the time. I don’t hesitate to cut through fittings or valves either. It just cuts easy, like a hacksaw, but with power. I have a bunch of hardened steel blades, cheap generics I use for most everything.

I have the vacuum attachment for my Fein multimaster... ***** the dust real good !!!

 

[Jim greengo]

Side ways Cresent wrench?

 

[ching0n]

yeah portaband

You do not need a carbide multi tool blade to cut a soft metal like copper but it may make sense. It will last longer. The biggest mistakes people make with cutting steel/metals with a multi tool is that they try to force the cut and wear through the blade prematurely. Let the tool do the work and do not apply too much pressure.. If you put some oil on the blade it make help cut down on dusting. It will add life to the cutting tool as well.
The other thing you can try to reduce on the dusting is get a helper to hold a vaccum nozzle close to the cut and it may **** up a lot of the dust. Just an idea.

honestly as great as the multi tool is, it never is my first choice to cut anything if I can avoid it. The portaband as suggested or a cold cut blade, even a sawsall w/a fine blade if precision isn't a concern. I think most wood blades will do aluminum and maybe other non-ferrous metals but obviously you'd want a metal blade. Something like this:



one hand sawsall:

 

[ching0n]

Limited access is why o am thinking about a multi tool. Height of the blade and length of the tool are both issues. A hackzall would be ideal if I had a larger access, but I only have a couple mils to slide in a blade, and the body of the tool would prevent the hackzall blade from coming in without bending the hell out of the blade. Multi tool blades already have the bend in them that would give me straight access, I'm just not sure what kind of blade would survive cutting copper without getting gummed up.

I've used long sawsall (maybe a foot long) metal blade that's fairly broad w/good success (when I need to reach into a tight space). Banging the blade against a dead stop is always the issue so having a progressive trigger that can slow down and learning the plunge depth helps here as well. Also bringing the blade down at an angle w/the shoe resting against the work piece.

 

[tarbellb]

Multi Tool will eat right through it

Grab the lowest tooth count metal blade you can find and have at it


BTW he's done... it's been almost a Year since

 

[inphx]

Maybe a nut splitter or home made similar if you need to do this all day long doe some reason.