I got orders to make a small hitch platform that will bolt to the rear box of a tractor.

About 2 years ago, I had one made by a local shop for a hefty fee.......I will be duplicating that piece.

First, I need to cut a square (5"x5") out of 1/4" plating. I am going to assume that the method used to cut that piece will apply to the rest of the cuts.

Anyway, what can I use? Chop saw is out, I was looking into buying a partaband saw, but I have no idea if that will work either. Seems like the blade would wear out too fast or it wouldnt be able to cut a piece that big......

I dont have a plasma or gas rig, and I was hoping not to have to buy one.....they are too expensive!!!

The only other thing I could think of was to crank up the welder and make a rough cut with a rod and then grind it so it looks decent. I have no idea how much work that would involve though......pry wouldnt look good either.

Any ideas? Thanks!

Just get a metal saw blade for your skilsaw and cut it out. Those blade go pretty fast so you'd better buy several.

I was thinking about that.....its an older 1/4 hp craftsman, Ive got a ferrous blade for it, just never used it for metal......As slow as the shop saw goes through 1/4' thick material, it seems like this would take forever.......maybe not with a smaller blade?

I use a reciprocating saw to make cuts like that, since I don't have a bandsaw or a plasma cutter. I have made a bunch of cuts like that using one and it works pretty well for the price. Just make sure to not get too hot and mess up your blade (obviously, get a metal cutting blade).

I have also found using some cutting oil (like you use for a drill press) helps a lot. If you cut the metal out of a corner you would only have to make two cuts.

A jig saw would work well too, if you had a fairly heavy duty one. I have destroyed a cheap one before using it on metal, but it seems that the recip saws are tougher.

You can get a reciprocating saw pretty cheap and use it for other stuff too.

Buy a separate Skillsaw for use on metal.
#1 - It's not going to last long with metal filings getting into the motor
#2 - The one you have has got a lot of sawdust deeply embedded in places you would never find.... hot metal filings + sawdust = boom


A Sawzall will do the job (buy a buttload of blades)... the problem with a Portaband is going to be handling it and the throat depth... it might handle a 5x5, but it's not going to handle a 10x10 for the next project.

I'm not a big fan of arc-cutting (arc gouging)... it's not precise at all. Do you have a compressed air fitting for your electrode holder? The correct way to arc-cut is to strike the arc, then hold the rod nearly parallel with the surface while blowing compressed air along the length of the rod to blow out the molten material.

I got orders to make a small hitch platform that will bolt to the rear box of a tractor.

First, I need to cut a square (5"x5") out of 1/4" plating. I am going to assume that the method used to cut that piece will apply to the rest of the cuts.

Any ideas? Thanks!

You don't say how many pieces you need to make, but from your email, I assume more than one. I used my radial arm saw to make some cuts a couple of times. I use a metal blade of course. I set up a stop on the table bed to cut the lengths I needed. Just use a clamp on a 1X2 once you have the dimensions set. Watch for sparks in the wood. Raise the saw and start making light cuts across the material. Then slowly lower the saw and make another pass, lower the saw and pass. Continue makng passes across the material, cutting the metal. You can go in both directions, but pushing it across is better, the pulling tends to want to dig in if the cut is too deep. Watch out for the sparks out the back also. Worked for me, cuts exactly the same size each time when you use the stop block. Time consuming however.

LOL

plasma cutter :muahaha:

Blow torch, then grind.

SAWZALL with metal cutting blades work well, use cutting oil to make the blade last, I cut a lot of plate with mine that way, torch is faster if you have one & know how to cut with one

Look in the paper for gas torches, you can find used ones fairly cheap. If not sawzall, some metal blades, and a little patience will give a way better cut than the chop saw! I have a Plasma cutter, gas torch, chop saw, angle die grider w/ cutting blades, and a sawzall. The sawzall usually gets the nod, faster and less hastle, alittle griding and you are good to go! The skid plate for my Cat filter was all cut w/ a sawzall. Pics in garage.

I can see cutting some thinner metal with a sawzall, but 1/4 inch, 5x5? I guess I could try......Ide hate to burn up a sawzall though......

Nice filter protector, Brandon.

If you could find some 5X1/4 flat bar or strap as I call it you could put that in your chop saw and cut it pretty easy. I'd look for a cheap torch and get a cart to go with it to haul the bottles,you can roll that around and use it any place you need. I've got a whole shop full of tools and a welding truck loaded with tools and a torch is a must if your going to do much welding.

Why is a CHOP Saw "out"? I would never try to cut a 5x5 x 1/4" with a sawzall, circular saw, or jig saw. You will pay more in blades, damaged equipment and trips to the hospital than if you go and buy a torch kit and tanks and a grinder.
Personally I use my chop saw for most projects, but if you are against that at least invest in something that is made to cut metal that size.

If you don't want to spend the money buying something to cut the metal, just take it to a local shop and pay them to cut it.

I agree with dirtyedge, take the sizes you need cut to the local metal shop and have them knock it for you.
Also if you have or know of any high school kids, have them or there freinds cut them up at the school metal shop.
I think cutting it up with the welder will leave some knarly looking edges.
It all depends on how much your time is worth to you.

Thanks Manny, unfortunately that be coming off this weekend and the filter will get relocated along with the pumps. The new Supertank needs all that space. Probably mount new setup in the wheel well.

The Lowes by my house has a small Oxy/Ace setup with a carrying case too.

Thanks Manny, unfortunately that be coming off this weekend and the filter will get relocated along with the pumps. The new Supertank needs all that space. Probably mount new setup in the wheel well.

The Lowes by my house has a small Oxy/Ace setup with a carrying case too.

I have a small Harrison (Victor knock off) from sears. Cost $250 on sale. Bottle refills are $11 & $15 at Tractor Supply.
:cool2:

Hmmm....I saw one of those setups last time I was at lowes......lincon I think it was.....not sure....If so, not a bad price.......

hmmm...something like this maybe

http://toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=11975

or this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Oxygen-Acetylene-Gas-Cutting-Welding-Torch-Kit_W0QQitemZ4455183786QQcategoryZ46413QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Go to Home Depot and find some thin metal cutting blades for your grinder, you can get as thin as .40 or .45, should cut fine but get plenty so you don't run out...

They are 5" though, not sure what size grinder you have...

Kinda Manny but with bottles like this (http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@0091496137.1144976988@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccgaddhhmemfkjcgelceffdfgidgnl.0&MID=9876) or this (http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@0091496137.1144976988@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccgaddhhmemfkjcgelceffdfgidgnl.0&MID=9876).

Get a dremel...

If you are going to buy the metal have them cut it for ya, they usually charge so much a cut?

First choice.A saw-zall with a demolition blade will do the trick. Second.You could also grind it. I have a 7 1/2 grinder that could handle that with ease, but I would use my smaller 4 1/2, I think it does a better job and it's easier to keep it straight. If you blow cut it, then I would clamp a piece of scrap metal where you want your straight cut to be. This would be the quickest, but you would need to hit it with the grinder.
Kirk

I found a deal at Lowes that offered a Dewalt 4.5" grinder (90$ value) with a chop saw for 170 bucks......I bought it, but the grinder was a mail in rebate deal that Im still waiting for........

In the meanwhile, I sinned. I figured that all of those tools at lowes were made in China, so I went to Harbor Freight and bought one of their $17 grinders.....I intended to put a wire wheel on it for clean up......I pressed the lock button so I could tighten the wire wheel on the thing, and the tool busted apart.....Glad I kept the receipt.....as that was my first and last HF tool purchase.

So anyway, Ive already got some narrow 4.5" cutting blades, I guess Ill have to try it when/if the grinder ever comes......With as much trouble as the 14" chop saw was having doing 1/4 inch, I figured it would not even be possible to cut with a grinder......but Ill try.

I kinda want an oxy/ace set up anyway though.....they arent too expensive......

Oh, BTW...how many feet of 1/4 in cutting will a 20 cu ft oxygen cylinder last?

oxy-acetalyne torch and then grind smooth. Setup by taking a piece of angle Iron and clamping it to your piece to use a guide on the straight cuts.

PM me with your location. I might be able to find a High School Shop that could cut it for cheap.

carl

I found a deal at Lowes that offered a Dewalt 4.5" grinder (90$ value) with a chop saw for 170 bucks......I bought it, but the grinder was a mail in rebate deal that Im still waiting for........

In the meanwhile, I sinned. I figured that all of those tools at lowes were made in China, so I went to Harbor Freight and bought one of their $17 grinders.....I intended to put a wire wheel on it for clean up......I pressed the lock button so I could tighten the wire wheel on the thing, and the tool busted apart.....Glad I kept the receipt.....as that was my first and last HF tool purchase.

So anyway, Ive already got some narrow 4.5" cutting blades, I guess Ill have to try it when/if the grinder ever comes......With as much trouble as the 14" chop saw was having doing 1/4 inch, I figured it would not even be possible to cut with a grinder......but Ill try.

I kinda want an oxy/ace set up anyway though.....they arent too expensive......

Manny, the 4.5" Dewalt grinder is TOUGH!! I have beat the hell out of mine! Dad also uses them in the oilfield pipeline welder biz. Gets about 4 years out of 10 hour day hard use.

1/4 inch is a quick cut with the torch if you set the flame size right. Use a 1/4 inch thick disc on the grinder when smoothing down.

It would take me less than 10 min. per piece to cut and grind (not including drawing the line and setting up tools).

On a side note, a local metal mart here will cut steel to any size and shape you want for no extra charge. Catch is that they charge 50% more than other places for "raw" metal.

Why is a CHOP Saw "out"? I would never try to cut a 5x5 x 1/4" with a sawzall, circular saw, or jig saw. You will pay more in blades, damaged equipment and trips to the hospital than if you go and buy a torch kit and tanks and a grinder.
Personally I use my chop saw for most projects, but if you are against that at least invest in something that is made to cut metal that size.

If you don't want to spend the money buying something to cut the metal, just take it to a local shop and pay them to cut it.



Not sure about the circular saw or jig saw, I've never done it. But a good sawzall has no problem with it as long as you have enough sense not to burn the blades up. Whereas a circular saw and jig saw are made more for cutting wood, a sawzall is made for both wood and metal.

You can buy blades for a sawzall that are rated for cutting 1/4" metal, so I don't know where you are getting the "invest in something that is made to cut metal that size" comment from. I have made hundreds of cuts through 1/4" metal with a sawzall, and as far as the safety thing, it is safer and more precise than an angle grinder...not that I am downing the grinder, because I use them a lot too and I think it is probably the single best tool for metal fabbing. But if you need a really precise cut the sawzall is better and allows for a slower cut, but the angle grinder can grab or run away from you if you are not careful.

With as much trouble as the 14" chop saw was having doing 1/4 inch, I figured it would not even be possible to cut with a grinder......but Ill try.

I kinda want an oxy/ace set up anyway though.....they arent too expensive......

Manny, you may already know some of this, but when I am making a cut with a grinder like you are going to try and make I first carefully make a decent groove with the grinder along the line I want to cut. That will give a groove for the grinder to follow and will help it stay on track. Once I do that I then start on an end and start grinding down the groove, and allow the grinding wheel to completely cut through the metal. Let the metal get hot and turn red, and eventually it will get hot enough to sorta melt, a la a torch. Then start pushing down the groove.

You will be amazed how much faster it will go through if you let it heat up. Letting the metal heat up also applies to a chop saw (but be sure and don't heat up and glaze over your blade).

I have an oxy/ace torch and I still use the sawzall, grinder, and chop saw way more often. And even then I really use it mainly for heating and bending instead of cutting.

I have a plasma, torch, chop saw the whole 9 yards.......first I wouldnt cut 5"x5" squares outa plate if I could get away with it. Like was mentioned.......get 5" flat stock and slice and dice that. Second more than likely I would pay the place a few bucks to knock it off on thier shear. Slice me off as many as I needed. Its realy worth the few bucks to have them do it.....especially if you need a good finish. You will run through more $$$ in sawsall blades etc than what you pay them. Unless you have a plasma cutter or are good with a torch you will have a ton of time in grinding it smooth(and disks to go along with it)

Third......you learned an important lesson......harbor frieght gives chines junk a bad name. I have never delt with such ****ty tools in my life. I may buy something cheap that I know i will destroy and lose and not realy use, but thier stuff is JUNK.

I own a 4.5" grinder and a 9". 4.5s are nice and mauverable and have plenty or *** and they also will take stuff for a 9". 9" is for realy hard stuff. My 9" will burn through sheet metal in no time with a wire brush....my 4.5 I at least need to hold it in one spot. Dont cheap out on your grinders......also sawsalls are great. Dont cheap out on that either.

Manny, All mentioned methods will work. Skill saw- Ive done but don't like. Screw up and twist the blade between the cut and you have flying debri that will hurt for a long time. I give Harbor Freight a great big -:t. You know, as much as you've been talking (typeing) about metal work, I think you could use an oxy/ace setup. My plasma cutter would be nice but they don't give them away. My local fab shop charges $2.50 a cut but I like to do it myself if I can. I think my oxy bottle is 90 cu.ft. and it's lasted a long time but I use the plasma cutter on 3/8 and below. If you buy a 20 cu.ft. bottle from a gas supplier they will just charge the difference between your 20 cu.ft. and the larger bottle if you decide to upgrade.

Mike

I was thinking about that.....its an older 1/4 hp craftsman, Ive got a ferrous blade for it, just never used it for metal......As slow as the shop saw goes through 1/4' thick material, it seems like this would take forever.......maybe not with a smaller blade?

I used Tennyru steel cutting circular saw blades in my 7 1/4" circulars saws til Milwaukee came out with their 8" steel cutting circular saw - best tool buy for me in the last 3 years. I've cut quite a bit of 3/4" plate with it.
Before that & still I used my 9" or 4 1/2" grinders with cut wheels.
There are many grades of cutting wheels. Try differant brands. some cut well & go away fast - others last forever but don't cut as well. & some are just right.

I found a deal at Lowes that offered a Dewalt 4.5" grinder (90$ value) with a chop saw for 170 bucks......I bought it, but the grinder was a mail in rebate deal that Im still waiting for........

In the meanwhile, I sinned. I figured that all of those tools at lowes were made in China, so I went to Harbor Freight and bought one of their $17 grinders.....I intended to put a wire wheel on it for clean up......I pressed the lock button so I could tighten the wire wheel on the thing, and the tool busted apart.....Glad I kept the receipt.....as that was my first and last HF tool purchase.

So anyway, Ive already got some narrow 4.5" cutting blades, I guess Ill have to try it when/if the grinder ever comes......With as much trouble as the 14" chop saw was having doing 1/4 inch, I figured it would not even be possible to cut with a grinder......but Ill try.

I kinda want an oxy/ace set up anyway though.....they arent too expensive......

Don't give up on Harbor Frieght so quickly. They have some good deals on good tools there. Just don't buy their junk. They have some pretty good sales on vise grips & quality power tools on occasion. I've had very good luck with the wobble extension sets. I've only broken a couple - 1/4" adapted to a 3/8" impact. If you don't have a set of wobbles, I'd suggest getting a set. They're about $10. Much handier than a swivel or a straght extension.

Buy a separate Skillsaw for use on metal.
#1 - It's not going to last long with metal filings getting into the motor
#2 - The one you have has got a lot of sawdust deeply embedded in places you would never find.... hot metal filings + sawdust = boom


A Sawzall will do the job (buy a buttload of blades)... the problem with a Portaband is going to be handling it and the throat depth... it might handle a 5x5, but it's not going to handle a 10x10 for the next project.

I'm not a big fan of arc-cutting (arc gouging)... it's not precise at all. Do you have a compressed air fitting for your electrode holder? The correct way to arc-cut is to strike the arc, then hold the rod nearly parallel with the surface while blowing compressed air along the length of the rod to blow out the molten material.

Arc gouging with a air head & carbon rod works very well & fast for removing welds. That's about the only thing I use mine for.

If you don't have atorch yet keep your eye on the want ads, auctions & trader papers. I've picked up complete sets for $50
If you get into much fabbing an iron worker is also a good investment. Our local Farm & Fleet has some low budget models.
If you have a large press -50 ton -you can make a press brake & bend metal. They are pretty simple to make. At that we've bent 1/2" by 4" plate to a 90. You could make one for a smaller press & thinner metals.

Not sure what your local dealer would charge but you can go here and order what you need already cut. A 5"x5"x1/4" is $5.75 +S/H.

http://www.northerntool.com/affiliates/onlinemetals/

chew through it):h

I have a milwaukee Deep Cut Band Saw It works great for cutting square tubing angle iron and other bar stock.


http://www.medfordtools.com/milwaukee/largerimages/6232-6.jpg

I have a milwaukee Deep Cut Band Saw It works great for cutting square tubing angle iron and other bar stock.


http://www.medfordtools.com/milwaukee/largerimages/6232-6.jpg

Ive been looking at those......will it make a perfectly square cut?

Like a chop saw, it can.

There is a reason every good weldor has a good sized scrap pile :)

Like a chop saw, it can.

There is a reason every good weldor has a good sized scrap pile :)
:iamwithst

Wife asked me a few times why I didn't throw the scrap away. However, when money was tight and she wanted something built, she changed her mind!:lol:

Ive been looking at those......will it make a perfectly square cut?

It all depends on the opperator. If you don't have a 9" grinder I would invest in one of those first. My 9" Metabo kicks butt compared to my Milwaukee. I you have a lot of cutting to do I would invest in a plasma cutter. My 8" metal cutting circular saw has been my best investment in 3 years. I think others also make them now.

Get a decent acytelene torch, you can use it for so many things, you'll never regret it after you get past the initial price.