Cutting metal?

[cspcrx]

I just got my HH 210mvp, gas, etc. now i am looking at how to cut metal to make some items. I have a small HF chop saw, 4in grinder with cutoff wheels, small air cutoff tool and dremel. I am looking at cutting 1/4in and smaller plate to make some parts for my car.

I was looking at getting a used portable bandsaw off of craigslist, lots available for $150 to $200. I figured with the addition of a SWAG table i would have a band saw that would cut most everything i would for $300 to $350.

For those more experianced with metal work am i totally off base. Seems like a much less expensive solution that a plasma cutter. Seems the most recommended plasmas are well over $1k.

Thanks all.

 

[zkling]

Horizontal bandsaw and make a small table for the vertical position.

Or look for a dedicated vertical metal cutting bandsaw.

IF you only want to contour plate steel, a cutting torch could be beneficial, but you will have other considerations for that.

 

[Lx460]

1/4" is tougher to cut than you think. It will eat up 4 1/2" wheels rather quickly but it's doable. How much are you really going to cut and how big are these pieces? An oxy/acetylene torch would work well but you'll need practice to get a decent cut but so will a plasma.

 

[ToddG]

Circular saw with Diablo metal cutting blade. Very clean cuts but lots of chips!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm a home hobbiest. I've used oxy-acet., miter-saw with 10" metal blade, 7 1/4' circular saw with metal blade, 4.5" grinder with 5/64" grinder blades, 4.5"x6" metal bandsaw. The one I use the most is my bandsaw... once I got one. Then the grinder and then the circular saw on long straight cuts.

 

[classicJackets]

Those portable band saws are pretty stout. Cut out 1/2" plate at work with no problem. Ate through it like butter. That was a Milwaukee..
I personally would love to have a dedicated vertical metal cutting bandsaw, but they sell for $1000 plus here..

 

[cspcrx]

Thanks guys really not going to cut a bunch. Here are my projects right now.

1) cross brace mounting plates to go under my camber/caster plates
2) rear upper spring cup adapters
3) seat mounts

The plates will be no larger than 5.5 in at their widest. I also see there will be a need to cut and shape 2in wide band steel.

Thanks again.

 

[JonBoehman]

I set up a modular stand like a lot of guys on GJ do and made a table and post for my portaband.

 

[Nor'Easter]

Portaband won't be too happy continuously cutting 1/4" material. If you need to cut shapes out of plate a plasma is your best choice. If you are cutting things to length you can't beat a dry cut chop saw or horizontal band saw.

My 8x12 horizontal bandsaw rotates up to vertical... much more stout that my portaband.

 

[McLean]

You definitely don't need a plasma nor even a bandsaw. You have all the tools you need.
Get some good cutoff wheels and flap discs for your 4" grinder. Yeah, you'll burn up some discs and kick up some dust, but that's what it's all about, right? With proper layout and technique you can make these parts as good or better than anyone else despite their tools. Plus, it builds character.

 

[Mike F]

I have found that the portaband will not cut accurate miters, so if that is a consideration I would look to a dry cut miter saw or a horizontal bandsaw. For freehand stuff and for cutting flat bar stock it works really well. If you get the portaband, I would advise against the miter gauge as the blade is not really perpendicular to it and accurate cuts are not achieved with it. I wish I would have known that before I bought it.

 

[kazlx]

The Swag table with a band saw is very handy, but like someone mentioned they don't cut miters very well, but you already have a chop saw. The swag table is good for freehand cutting to scribe lines and then finishing with files or flap wheel IMO. I cut 1/4" steel on my portaband all the time. Just make sure you have the right blade. Lube helps. I use stick-kut. If you want to free form shapes that's a good way to go. You are just limited with the throat depth, but you can flip and get creative if you need to.

A Harbor Freight horizontal bandsaw is a good start for chopping materials and would be a good addition after that. Don't waste your time using cutoff wheels if you don't have to. They are messy and awkward. There are way better ways to cut curves.

X2 on the miter gauge like Mike said. Waste of time. I use my portaband table all the time and it's handy but it takes some getting used to. It's definitely not an actual vertical band saw.

 

[rcjoy]

A jigsaw with a metal cutting blade is another option. That's what I often use.

 

[MushCreek]

+1 on the jigsaw. I use one a lot. I use a SawZall, too, with the appropriate blade. SLOW speed and heavy pressure. Oh yeah- the little hot metal chips that shower all over you are a thrill, too!

 

[PCO6]

12" metal shears are rated for 1/4" and are reasonably priced.
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/12-in-metal-hand-shear/A-p8096000e

Here's what I did with mine to make it work better.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=284652

View media item 48934

 

[raddksn]

I use all of the methods mentioned, my go to is Milwaukee portaband picked up on e-bay $200.00. For vertical free hand stuff I swivel my vice around so saw rests on workbench and carfully clamp the handle in soft jaws. Going to make as stand someday.

 

[sanddan]

I used to use cutoff wheels a lot but I have better tools now. The horizontal bandsaw is perfect for cutting tubing, bar stock etc to length. A must have if you do a lot of fabrication. One of the most used cutting tools I have is a converted 14" wood bandsaw. I built a jackshaft speed reducer setup to get the correct speeds for metal. This is the single most versatile cutting tool I own. I only wish I could afford a real, full size, vertical metal bandsaw but this is the next best thing. It's main limiting factor is the 14" throat, 20" would be better. I have a plasma cutter, it is the least used tool in the arsenal for the work I typically do and makes a big mess but does have it's place.

 

[Professur]

A jigsaw with a metal cutting blade is another option. That's what I often use.

This is my goto for most light metal cutting. Good control, very flexible, and no fire risk. Gotta pay the $$$ for the best blades tho.

 

[Zick]

I just got my HH 210mvp, gas, etc. now i am looking at how to cut metal to make some items. I have a small HF chop saw, 4in grinder with cutoff wheels, small air cutoff tool and dremel. I am looking at cutting 1/4in and smaller plate to make some parts for my car.

I was looking at getting a used portable bandsaw off of craigslist, lots available for $150 to $200. I figured with the addition of a SWAG table i would have a band saw that would cut most everything i would for $300 to $350.

For those more experianced with metal work am i totally off base. Seems like a much less expensive solution that a plasma cutter. Seems the most recommended plasmas are well over $1k.

Thanks all.

Sounds like exactly what I did. Just picked up a HH 210MVP too recently and needed something better than my cheap menards chop saw to cut stuff.
Picked up a used Dewalt D28770 portaband saw and then bought the Swag v3.0 portaband table.
Paid around $300 for it all.

It's nice that it doesn't take up much space and can be removed from the table quickly to use by hand if needed.
However, it can be tiring when your trying to hand feed a plate of 1/4" steel and making long cuts. Would have been much easier in a regular band saw that you could clamp down the steel and walk away letting it do the work on it's own.
My choices were either this setup or something like the HF horizontal band saw $200+ or find a nice used 5x7 or 6x8 but nothing like that ever seems to appear around here.

Think about what you will be mainly using it for and how often. I don't use mine that often so I didn't want it to be taking up space but I think in the long run I will prefer to have a regular horizontal band saw someday.

 

[Ilikeike]

The few time I've cut small section of plated for frame work,I use the angle grinder and a few blades, it's not efficient but I don't cut 1/4" much at all.
When I made a few tables/benches over the years I used the gas powered Partner cut off saw.

I'd buy or borrow a plasma if I did much cutting on the heavy plate often.

 

[cspcrx]

I really appreciate everyone's advice and experience! Storage is an issue for me which is partly why I am staying away from the horizontal band saws, which is what got me looking at the SWAG and a portaband. I have a good quality jig saw as well that I can use. I will not be doing a ton of fabrication. All though now that I have a good welder, my previous was a older blue HF 141, I may find more things to build.

JonBoehman, that is a nice setup. I will have to search for instructions on a DIY stand.

Zick, I have not used mine yet. Just got a bottle of gas last weekend and some solid wire. Getting a subpanel for 220v added into the garage in a couple of weeks so I can use it at full power. This weekend I hope to make a few test sparks. Need to get some scrap as well. Hope you enjoy yours.

Again I really appreciate everyone's help here.

 

[Copper head]

I tell you what,.......

I've been longing for a nice metal cutting horizontal band saw for several years now. I just never wanted to pony up the $$ for one,.....and I wasn't thrilled about loosing floor space in my small 24x24 garage.

WELL,.......
I recently picked up a brand new DeWalt portaband 120, on Ebay for 200,......and I decided to buy a Swag stand assy to go with it. This thing is AWESOME. I absolutely love it.

Should of bought one of these years ago.

If you get one,.....you won't be sorry.

 

[cspcrx]

Thanks copper head and thats a heck of a launch!

 

[BD1]

We use Milwaukee and Dewalt portabands all day cutting 1/4'' thick material. No issues at all. As for miter cuts, get yourself a bench or floor model belt sander. A 4''x36'' or a 6''x 48'' will do a nice job to true up a miter cut. Here is a post on stands, mine is #26
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192538&page=2

As for belt/disc sanders here's one, http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186092&highlight=disc+sander&page=2
Mine is #23

 

[cspcrx]

Thanks BD1.

Large sander I do not have. I can see where that would be very helpful in squaring and trueing up edges of material.

I think I need to get some bimetal hole saws as well for my drill press, which is variable speed. The cross brace plates will need a 3.5 in hole in the center of them where the shock tower comes through. The rest of that will be straight cuts on a fairly square plate.

My tool list keeps growing. LOL