Cutting a Metal Door

[fireberd350]

I have a Metal Fire door between my attached garage and living space. I believe it's original to the house, so ~60yrs old. I did a quick google and a few sites recommended using a standard circular saw. That seems like a bad idea.

I have the following tools. What's my best bet?

• Sawzall
• Jigsaw
• Rotozip
• Dremel
• Oscillating tool
• Pneumatic cut off
• Circular Saw

Pic to follow.

edit - I'm only cutting < 1/2" off bottom to make room for a sweet race deck tile floor.

 

[fireberd350]

Here's a shot from above. Not sure what the bottom looks like yet




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[matt_i]

If you have an angle grinder, a few thin cutoff wheels will make medium work out of it. Wheels available at most big box stores.

 

[dogdog]

Why would you want to saw off a perfectly good fire door, that makes a good welding table top. They don't make those door like they used to any more....

if you must a fiber metal cutting disc on a circular saw or an angle grinder would work. Jig saw works too probably will be takes forever.... unless you are cutting odd shaped stuff on the door.

but if you post in craigslist probably some one will probably be there to remove for you.
.....


.... nvm does those things have asbestos in them?

 

[rsanter]

Why do you want to cut it?

And is the door a filled fire door? Could it have asbestos panels inside?

Bob

 

[The Cobbler]

are you planning to install a lite? or do you need to undercut it?

to undercut, use a cut off wheel in angle grinder. to install a lite... don't do it as it will sacrifice the fire rating. but if you still insist on installing one, measure and drill the 4 corners , use a fine tooth metal jigsaw blade , cut so it only penetrates the one side, then flip the door and cut again. . as said it may contain asbestos, so judge accordingly

 

[fireberd350]

I'm cutting off the bottom to allow for racedeck flooring. From the top view it does look like some sort of non metal material is lining it. That would be terrible if it's asbestos.

 

[The Cobbler]

for undercutting I use a thin cutoff wheel in angle grinder. then clean up the burrs as they can be sharp.

 

[dogdog]

just confirm if it is or not have any sort of asbestos insulation inside ....Not sure how thin/thick of the cut you needed to trim to accommodate the race deck.

if no asbestos a circular saw with a fiber metal cutting disc (they sell these at HD / lowes) and clamp down a straight edge as a guide (just like as if you were cutting a 4x8 plywood using a circular saw) would be better for a more even straight cut. Just cut a little above the bottom quadrant. most of these door are hollow inside with a few cross braces. the 4 edge of the frame and some support bar if any... the cheaper ones now have corrugate cardboard inside ... or think metal tack weld up
just weld the sections back after you have trimmed enough if it from the bottom..... so you really can't cut at all the way on the bottom if it is more than certain thickness.

Why not just redo the door and frame? it would be that much harder would it?

 

[6768rogues]

I have cut steel doors with a fine carbide blade in a circular saw, but the blade will be shot when you are done.
That said, the fire rating of the door is negated if any field modifications are done.
And, yes, I have seen fire doors lined with asbestos, so be careful of what might be inside.

 

[ADSR]

For that door i would use this, and make like 3 passes.

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/freud-7-1-4-in-metal-cutting-blade-48-teeth/973203