Highway guard rail
- Thread starter Edhuntr
- Start date
metaldad
Well-known member
never done it, but, a sawzall will take a bit of time and be noisy as hell.
use an oxy/ acetylene gas axe
use an oxy/ acetylene gas axe
Rarified27
Well-known member
Sawzall's going to take a while. FD's are fans of partner saws for similar work.
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LryFx1
Active member
Ive had best results with a cutting torch ( O/A is best ). Had to do it many times when I had my towing biz. I figure the guard rail is private property ? Most government entities don't appreciate people cutting up "their" guard rails, without permission.
If you do use a torch, be careful to not inhale the fumes - very toxic. The galvanizing on them is put on very thick, and makes nasty smoke.
If you do use a torch, be careful to not inhale the fumes - very toxic. The galvanizing on them is put on very thick, and makes nasty smoke.
Probably be easiest to use a cutting wheel. Gonna have noise and sparks still but sawzall would probably have some trouble from grabbing. Or go the big guns route and find a giant cutting wheel like the highway depo uses. Don't know if it's supposed to be used for them but if it goes through metal, concrete, asphalt, and your foot in one go it'll do about any job you need. Or quick and most available, a cutting torch. Not the cleanest but a good cut and a grinding wheel to clean it up and you're good to go.
malibu101
Well-known member
Are you cutting one or one hundred? Need a clean or a severance cut?
Torch, plasma cutter, or a gas demo saw is what I'd want to have lined up if I was cutting many.
1 or 2 cuts, use what ya got!!
Torch, plasma cutter, or a gas demo saw is what I'd want to have lined up if I was cutting many.
1 or 2 cuts, use what ya got!!
readhead
Well-known member
Is it galvanized or rusty. Galv will be easy. Rusty will be Corten and be more work.
kabinenroller
Well-known member
I would not use a torch to cut anything galvanized, the fumes will make you very sick, even outdoors. Use a cut off wheel, you will have cleaner results.
driz
Well-known member
Saw is slow. Torch can get expensive depending on amount needs cutting and how much they are robbing you for O2 acetylene ect.. Whiz wheels get expensive and PITA. Plasma cutter great , if ya got one. I doubt you can get it in a 14” cutoff saw and if ya do it
Will need extra hand cuts[emoji29].
If you have none of those things but have a skill saw WITH A METAL GUARD. Just use that. Those 7 1/4” disks cut off disks are $4 each, last a long time and cut darned well for things like this. Ear plugs and safety glasses ( I use a shield) and you’re all set. Those are fine for straight cuts and work about as well as my 14” chop saw.
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Will need extra hand cuts[emoji29].
If you have none of those things but have a skill saw WITH A METAL GUARD. Just use that. Those 7 1/4” disks cut off disks are $4 each, last a long time and cut darned well for things like this. Ear plugs and safety glasses ( I use a shield) and you’re all set. Those are fine for straight cuts and work about as well as my 14” chop saw.
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bob15
Well-known member
A guardrail to be used for a pasture fence for cows? Barb wire or an electric fence is easier, quicker and works pretty well well over a 100 years.
Plasma cutter would be the meow. I welded a lot of sawdust pipe and was told to drink milk to ward off metal fume fever.( galvanized, zinc oxide) I don't remember it ever bothering me but I used to drink a lot of milk anyway.
P.S I've cut guard rail with a Quikie saw no problem
P.S I've cut guard rail with a Quikie saw no problemLeaflessshadetree
Well-known member
If you use a sawzall lubricant/coolant will help. I use dish soap diluted with water.
juddspaintballs
Well-known member
The Diablo Steel Demon blades in a reciprocating saw are pretty badass. I've cut a few truck frames with them in very short order. I'd probably reach for the M18 Fuel reciprocating saw with one of those blades first if I wanted to cut guardrail.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
Hot saw is going to be worth it’s weight in gold over a sawzall.
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
Either a plasma cutter or an oxy-acetylene torch, just like we did when we were installing guardrail to keep cars from going over cliffs. Anything else will be a long and drawn out process... Sawzall? That's gonna take a while and burn through some blades. You CAN do it but it's no fun.
It's to counteract the galvanized fumes... not sure WHY it works, but it does. Surprisingly well.
It's to counteract the galvanized fumes... not sure WHY it works, but it does. Surprisingly well.
logical
Well-known member
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
We just installed a few thousand feet around a resivior , all cuts with a 14" demo saw, sliced right through it and pretty clean.
fl18guy
Well-known member
Gas powered cutoff saw. I work for highway department. Thats what we use. Of course that galvanized rail, so torching it is all dangerous due to coating.
rustyjames
Well-known member
I'd go for the demo saw as well. Torch would be the quickest though.
Staying clear of the torch for the zinc fumes and not having a a long term access to a 14" chop saw or demo saw, I'd probably go with the 7" HF (disposable) grinder I bought to cut concrete block and masonry work.
Add a blade like this
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...4771931083.htm?tid=-467314177941318679&ipos=2
and let the tool do the work.
Add a blade like this
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...4771931083.htm?tid=-467314177941318679&ipos=2
and let the tool do the work.
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
Concrete saw with an abrasive blade is what I do. Each cut takes about twenty seconds. That tool would be one of the first I'd replace if I had to start over. Truly amazing.
seber
Well-known member
I use a skilsaw with abrasive blade. Extremely loud but very fast.
pepi
Well-known member
Short cows ?
Speaking from experience forget the sawzall and cutoff wheel. The rail I have is 3mm thick and 18 1/2" wide.. with the wave pattern it measures 12 3/16" wide and is 3 1/2" overall "thickness" while I have no clue as to the alloy it is NOT mild steel. I ended up taking a torch to it. A plasma may work but that wave pattern may limit the torch head from getting in there unless you flip the piece.
Good luck man.. took me half a day to figure it out and get the piece i needed cut to size.
I don't know what blade or saw the other posters used to cut thru a rail in 20 seconds but when i tried dewalt abrasives in my 3hp skilsaw.. ate the blade up AND since you only get a tad over 2 1/2" depth.. that blade gets smaller the more you cut and you still need to flip that 10ft beast over and do it again...
Good luck man.. took me half a day to figure it out and get the piece i needed cut to size.
I don't know what blade or saw the other posters used to cut thru a rail in 20 seconds but when i tried dewalt abrasives in my 3hp skilsaw.. ate the blade up AND since you only get a tad over 2 1/2" depth.. that blade gets smaller the more you cut and you still need to flip that 10ft beast over and do it again...
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Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Big difference using a demo saw like this...
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/cut-off-machines/professional-cut-off-machines/ts420/
Well ya got me there but show of hands.. who has one of those?? At what 6-700 bucks i aint buying one... might be able to rent one for 75-100/day.. and for the record.. i aint putting an abrasive wheel on that then standing over it while cutting corregated guard rail.. but thats just me. The reality of the situation is this a cutting torch is the most reasonable way to cut it.. or just splurge and get a waterjet table
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Unfortunately there about 1k, but when time is money tools like this get the job done if you have the work for them. I haven,t used one yet but the dewalt rep is dropping one off to try
https://www.toolnut.com/dewalt-dcs6...MI-YyIqPaZ7gIV2frICh1Zgw-3EAQYAyABEgLfHvD_BwE
Have some confined space work to do & can,t use gas.