Novice metal cutter

[bluedog225]

Smith MC12-1. One size to large. I was eager to give it a try. I’ll pick up the 12-0 for next time.

Edit-I just noticed that I have an MC-12-1. But I don’t know the difference between SC and MC. I had assumed MC was metal cutting.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Milwaukee 8" skill saw with a good triangle square will cut that with ease. Then a drill press with slow speed will do the holes. No iron worker I have seen will handle anything like that 4x12 angle as most are limited to 4x4 or 6x6 equal leg. Iron worker would do the punched holes at about 5 seconds a hole easily.

 

[drmarkr]

40 holes??

Absolutely justifies a mag drill and annular bits! This is the Garage Journal, for gawds sake!

And I can't believe no one has mentioned it yet, but use cutting oil... your bits will reward you with double the life.

I bought this one 2 years ago. It's drilled several hundred holes and is a huge time saver, not to mention effort saver!

Magnetic Electric Precision Drilling Portable, 2700 Lbs 1100W with 1-1/2 Inch (40mm) Boring Diameter MD40 Magnetic Drill Press Precision Metal Surface Drilling System Portable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V7YGMC3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[msharley]

I have one of these...

Bits are pricey. Last a long time.

DO NOT OIL the fool bits.

If you must do something? Spray a little distilled water on the bit for cooling....

 

[msharley]

If? You go the mag drill route?

Lay out all your holes first. Drill them.

Then cut it apart...

With a good METABO (they make a 13 amp job, now)...and a box of zip wheels....much less grinding than using a gas axe as a beginner....

All your cuts will be straight. With no "shark's teeth"...."blow backs" (some metals are of such inferior quality, it is difficult to obtain a good cut)...no slag. Much less fire hazard....

My two cents....

 

[drmarkr]

I have one of these...

Bits are pricey. Last a long time.

DO NOT OIL the fool bits.

If you must do something? Spray a little distilled water on the bit for cooling....

Why no oil?

 

[Cougar]

I have one of these...

Bits are pricey. Last a long time.

DO NOT OIL the fool bits.

If you must do something? Spray a little distilled water on the bit for cooling....

Why distilled water.

 

[Cougar]

Use a straight edge to guide the torch.
If you are steady the cut finish will be fine.
Get a spring punch for laying out the holes.
If you have a bunch to do, you can make a drill jig.
Then you only have to lay them out once.
Good quality drill at the right speed with cutting fluid can easily drill holes in one pass.

 

[welder4956]

Smith MC12-1. One size to large. I was eager to give it a try. I’ll pick up the 12-0 for next time.

Edit-I just noticed that I have an MC-12-1. But I don’t know the difference between SC and MC. I had assumed MC was metal cutting.

MC tips are medium duty, SC tips are heavy duty. The MC-12-1 tip will work on 3/8, but cut quality will suffer due to excess heat. The MC-12-0 will give a crisper cut.

 

[msharley]

Why distilled water.

That's what it says on the box, the bits come in....

 

[kwb]

I have apparently been doing it wrong all along- I use the spray-able foamy cutting oil on every hole I drill with the Mag Drill.

Unless I do something dumb with the tool cutters do hundreds of holes.

 

[Cougar]

That's what it says on the box, the bits come in....

What kind of bits are they.

 

[drmarkr]

I have apparently been doing it wrong all along- I use the spray-able foamy cutting oil on every hole I drill with the Mag Drill.

Unless I do something dumb with the tool cutters do hundreds of holes.

You and probably tens of thousands....errr....might even be hundreds of thousands of machinists for the past century!

 

[isb cornbinder]

The word metal is tossed around here. I suppose a person could assume that the metal being referred to is steel.
Do the same rules apply if this metal is cast iron, brass, bronze, aluminum. tin, mercury, stainless steel, monel, nickel copper, zinc , silver, gold, lead, cobalt, platinum, tungsten, titanium, palladium, uranium and finally bismuth?

40 holes??

Absolutely justifies a mag drill and annular bits! This is the Garage Journal, for gawds sake!

And I can't believe no one has mentioned it yet, but use cutting oil... your bits will reward you with double the life.

I bought this one 2 years ago. It's drilled several hundred holes and is a huge time saver, not to mention effort saver!

Magnetic Electric Precision Drilling Portable, 2700 Lbs 1100W with 1-1/2 Inch (40mm) Boring Diameter MD40 Magnetic Drill Press Precision Metal Surface Drilling System Portable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V7YGMC3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought this HOUGAN mag drill 2 decades ago. It is powered by a Black and Decker reversable drill motor. It was $400 back in the day, (used)

 

[msharley]

What kind of bits are they.

 

[Cougar]

Never used that type of bit.

 

[msharley]

Never used that type of bit.

7/8" hole in 1/2" plate....?

Less than 30 seconds.