Nice cuts on thick sheet metal

[j2k]

I'd like to build or buy a welding table. How does one go about getting the right sized top? I don't have a plasma cutter or anything like that so what is the normal way to go about getting a clean cut sheet?

New to the metal working.

 

[A_Pmech]

A really cheap way is with an abrasive blade on a Skilsaw.

 

[Falcon67]

I'd like to build or buy a welding table. How does one go about getting the right sized top? I don't have a plasma cutter or anything like that so what is the normal way to go about getting a clean cut sheet?

New to the metal working.

I need to do one of these and my plan was to go to the scrap metal yard and just hunt around in the junk. The place I frequent is pretty friendly and the guy in the cut shop can scare up various sizes of "stuff". I was just going to find an appropriate piece of steel that wasn't too big - and build around that, rather than trying to get real specific on size. Anything close to 2x3 and 3/16~1/4 thick or so is my target.

 

[mjozefow]

A really cheap way is with an abrasive blade on a Skilsaw.

Done that one. It works but it is not fun. Especially half inch.

 

[APEowner]

If you're buying the steel new either build the bench to a standard size or have the supplier cut it to the size you want.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Exactly. The easy way is to just buy what you need. If it's 1/4" or less, you can cut it pretty easily with a $20 steel-cutting blade and a circular saw.

Video of what I mean

With a jigsaw, it's not going to be easy to cut a clean, straight line.

Much thicker than that and you're going to want to have a steel supplier or shop cut it for you.

 

[j2k]

Thats pretty cool, I might use that blade for another project I'm thinking of. Seems my best bet is to get with a supplier to see what they can do for me for a table top.

 

[Professur]

Exactly. The easy way is to just buy what you need. If it's 1/4" or less, you can cut it pretty easily with a $20 steel-cutting blade and a circular saw.

Video of what I mean

With a jigsaw, it's not going to be easy to cut a clean, straight line.

Much thicker than that and you're going to want to have a steel supplier or shop cut it for you.

A trick for getting straight cuts with a jigsaw is to drill a small hole in the rear of the shoe, and drop in a small nail the width of the saw blade. If you can manage to make the first 4 inches straight, the saw will track true for the rest of the cut.

 

[fabrk8r]

Call around to local sheet metal shops and ask if they will shear it for you.

At my shop I have the capability to shear 1/4" mild steel sheets 10' long. Most medium to large sheet metal shops have this capability or more.

Better yet don't even call, just find a shop that you know can do it and take your material in. It takes longer to answer the phone than to shear your pieces and it will just annoy the foreman to have to walk across the shop to answer your call. I do it everyday...get annoyed every day too!

 

[mdbeck1]

I've put a metal cutting blade on my table saw or my radial arm saw and made multiple passes on small stuff (raise/lower the blade about 1/2 a turn each pass). I don't know if I'd want to try a piece of 4' X 8' X1/2" though.

Oh, and make sure you clean out the sawdust from around the equipment BEFORE you start. Those sparks will start a fire...

 

[Ign]

The Milwaukee 8" metal cutting circular claims it can cut up to 3/4". Never tried that thick tho.

I'd go no less than 1/2" for a table you want to last.

 

[gorilla]

My local metal supplier charges $7.50 per cut to shear plate. For this amount of money it"s not worth it to me to burn it and then grind it smooth. If you are buying new material try to make you bench 4' x whatever, 4' is the standard width for plate so you will only have to pay for one cut. FYI <1/4" is sheet 1/4" and above is plate.

 

[fabrk8r]

My local metal supplier charges $7.50 per cut to shear plate. For this amount of money it"s not worth it to me to burn it and then grind it smooth. If you are buying new material try to make you bench 4' x whatever, 4' is the standard width for plate so you will only have to pay for one cut. FYI <1/4" is sheet 1/4" and above is plate.

What he said!

 

[Deltarat]

Check machine shops and such going out of business. You can find odd pieces cheap. I bought a new piece of 4' x 8' x1/2" plate for my top for less than $200 from a shop that was closing. I bought a 20' section of safety railing 36" high to make the frame from for $20.

 

[blaze_125]

http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/msc-home.aspx?Country=US
Maybe they have a supplier close to your location.
There is one around here and I enjoyed dealing with them everytime I had to. Tell them the size you need and they'll hook you up for a fair price.

 

[George185]

Yeah the Metal Supermarket is a decent place to go. The large steel yards are cheaper but don't usually have the customer service.

 

[Spareparts]

I have cut plenty of thick plate with what I call a burn bar, I like to use 3/4" flat bar about 3" wide as long as you want and or can handle. weld a couple of handles on it to move it with. Lay it on the plate your going to cut and hold the torch right along the bar for a straight cot. I have used angle iron but it is to light unless clamped. On one that is going to see several cuts I will bevel one corner about for the slag to go and it wont interfer with the cut. I have several in different lengths and they work well. A little grinding will remove the slag and have a nice straight line.