Cutting Unistrut Straight

[mobiledynamics]

I need to cut precise straight cuts of shallow strut
All the same length, no fudge factor as they all need to fit in the frame square

I'll be using my Portaband

On Deck are sawhorses and a tristand

Will I have better success if the sawhorse close on each side, with the strut clamped on both sawhorses ?

Or just have the running length support on sawhorses, just clamp it on a tristand and cut.

Each piece I'm cutting will be 12 1/2 inches each.

Miter Saw on hand....but I refuse to put a metal blade saw on my Festool..

 

[rlitman]

You just need it clamped at the side with the saw.

Can you fixture it so it is sitting at a 45 degree angle? It will cut much better on the portaband diagonally.

 

[Brian_WK]

I would cut a jig out of a 2x4 to guide the saw blade free handing it with the portaband is gonna be a ***** to get dead accurate cuts.

Brian

 

[LXCam]

You'd be best off practicing how to cut a square and true cut.

Heck why don't you just get a miter box and use it for your guide.

Also since you're cutting these to 12.5" lengths make sure you use solid strut and not slotted or holed. Otherwise if you're even the slightest bit OCD will be very unhappy with the results.

 

[Shiftless]

"Miter Saw on hand....but I refuse to put a metal blade saw on my Festool.."

I feel the same way about my "good" sliding miter saw.
And that is exactly why I have a beat up old Craftsman 10 inch chop saw with an abrasive cutoff dedicated for pipe, unistrut, etc. Keep your eyes open and you can find old non sliding chop saws for almost nothing.

 

[mobiledynamics]

The reality is I won't really see it.....once it's all jigged and built.
I have some slight - 1/16' allowable slop factor..

Basically 2 Horizontal 20 footer struts.
All the legs are forming the ends and the support inside the ~box~.
All to be attached via L flats on the corners and just straight stock from V/H runs.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Got me a Mak Cold Saw on its way........

 

[sberry]

Draw a line around, follow line.

 

[Furious Filipino]

Having a cold saw is nice for metal work, but at 1/16" tolerance, I've free handed unistrut with a porta-band before. Depending on how many sections you needed to make, I've made do with an angle grinder, a hand held belt sander, and a mill ******* file for unistrut that needed to fit in a box down to 1/32".

 

[Bohdan]

Miter Saw on hand....but I refuse to put a metal blade saw on my Festool..

But Festool actually sell a blade specifically for that.