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joehalford01

'Vette brake specialist!
Joined
May 16, 2007
Messages
1,779
Location
Visalia, CA
I've cut all my gussets out this afternoon so I can have them ready when I cut the frame. All I can say is that my 3" HF cut off wheel and 14" HF chop saw........just don't cut it :p. What do you guys use to cut 3/16" and 1/4" plate? I'm sure a plasma cutter would be nice but is there anything out there within a decent budget? I guess I could go with a cut-off torch, can you get clean cuts with those? Hit me with everything you got. I'm in the market to upgrade :D.
 
Hey Joe, ok I have some advice for you here. I actually do most of my cutting with a 3" cut off wheel, a 4 1/2" angle grinder, and a chop saw as well when doing large cuts for frames and such. When using the 3" or 4 1/2" I use the thinest wheels I can get. Usually 1/16th. They creat less heat so they cut faster. Now the only reasons that I can see that these tools aren't working for you is........

1) The wheels your using are not of good quality.

2) The tools you have them attached to don't have the power to turn them properly.

3) If the tools you are using are air powered, then posibly your compessor is not up to the task.

You see the problem with cutting wheels is if they run to slow or don't have the power behind them to turn them with a good amount of torque, they will glaze over. Once that happens you won't be able to cut paper with them. I ran into this once with a cheap chop saw. It would cut for a while but it just didn't have the torque needed to spin the wheel at a consistent speed. Soon the edge would be glazed and it was game over. I would have to redress the wheel about every 5 mins. I ended up returning that machine and buying a gooder one MADE ON THIS SIDE OF THE OCEAN if you get my drift and problem solved. I hope this helps.
 
Joe,
I did all the work on my truck with HF equipment and didn't have any problems. Just don't get in a hurry and let the tool do the work. I did go through several many cut off and grinder wheels while doing the work on my truck. The HF is a 4 1/2 angle grinder, sorry, still no chopsaw in my shop.
 
i guess i need to pick up some patience while i'm at the store :p, i will check out the wheels i'm using, maybe that will help.
 
Depending on the job, I use a torch, plasma, portaband, sawzall, chop saw, die grinder, cutoff wheel on a 4 1/2 in grinder, bandsaw,and as a last resort, a hacksaw. I like a portaband where you are, but I would probably reach for a torch, or plasma first.
 
The torch is a nice tool.But you will end ip doing alot of grinding.Not to mention putting out fires if you working outside.It sounds like your compressor is not up for the tools that you are using.What is the CFM of it.
 
6.4 at 90 and 8.6 at 40. I have to keep it in the house so going any larger isn't an option. I think the cut-off wheel would run better on a larger compressor. It does run it though for a bit before it slows down, i didn't realize the wheels could glaze over if they get a chance to slow down and sometimes i do find myself waiting for the tank to air back up. I didn't even think about the porta-band bonehead, that looks like an awesome tool. Northern carries one for a $100 and everything else is $300 (all the other brands they carry). I'm considering this, it's a decent chunk of dough but it looks like a pretty awesome tool. I don't have room for a regular band saw anyways so I could probably use this a lot in the near future.
 
I use mine more than I thought I would. I picked mine up used, (though you couldn't tell) for $100, it is a milwalkee. Check your pawn shops, sometimes they end up there.
 
I use mine more than I thought I would. I picked mine up used, (though you couldn't tell) for $100, it is a milwalkee. Check your pawn shops, sometimes they end up there.


good idea, i'd like a name brand but $300 is alot to swallow. i'll see what i can dig up used.
 
I'm with Bonehead, I use many different tools depending on the job.

In your case, torch first. If you dont have one, get one. You can do many things with a torch.

Try this-
If you're making multiple parts that are the same shape, cut them out with the torch, clean up the faces so they will stack flat, then tack them together in a few places.
Do all the final shaping with the hand held grinder, then cut the tacks. (use a chisel to split them apart)
They will all be the same and its quicker than handling them seperatly.
 
i ordered the dewalt porta-band from northern tool....i'm a little nervous, i hope it was worth the cash. I was going to get the cheaper one but this one looks like it has bigger sturdier grips and nicer over-all plus all the reviews were really good. I work out of a shed so I think i will be using this alot since i don't have the room for a regular band saw, etc. Thanks guys, I'll let you know if it's worth the cash.
 
Joe, another tip, when cutting big things with a portaband, cut half way through, or more, then clamp everything tight, and cut the rest. That will save you alot of blades. Small things, just cut. I think you will find it to be a great tool.
 
another nice cutting tool if you have any longer cuts is a circular saw with a steel cutting blade. the blades are pricey but almost no sparks flying around and a perfect cut.
 
another nice cutting tool if you have any longer cuts is a circular saw with a steel cutting blade. the blades are pricey but almost no sparks flying around and a perfect cut.

that sounds like a good idea as well. what size motor would you need to make decent cuts? I have a $30 special :p, something tells me it may not be up to the task....
 

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