My options to cut metal?
 

This may sound stupid, but I am figuring out the best way to cut up to 1/4" steel plate, as cleanly as possible.

Plasma cutter is out of the question, not enough money for one.

Can I throw a metal cutting blade in a table saw and use that, same with a miter saw or chop saw?

I'm planning on building a bumper, along with other things. I need to figure out how to cut the metal first. What methods/tools do you use? Do you have access to the industrial hydraulic cutting machines?

I'm wondering the same thing.

torch. cutting wheel on grinder(with lots of ear,eye, hand protection)

you could use a sawzaw but that would take forever. buy your self a set of torches and use a piece of steel as a guide for straight cuts.

best bet is to cut a angle grinder and buy a dozen wheels and go to town.

At Home Depot and Lowes I have seen an abrasive cut off saw, like a miter saw, but with a 14" abrasive cutting wheel. Any thoughts on that?

any diamond toothed cut-off wheel for a grinder or table saw or something should do ok, but a torch with a good grinder to smooth everything out would definitely be the best way, theres a pawn shop in my town that rent's just about anything (including torches and plasma cutters, welders lol) so ya might check around at the rental places

A small horizontal/vertical band saw with a good blade will do a good job, this is what I started with (and still have):
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93762

Can find them for $200 on sale from time to time, plus figure around $25-30 for a decent bi-metal saw blade.

And I do have an abrasive chop saw, a plasma cutter, a portable band saw and a good SawzAll and use the horizontal band saw 99.9% of the time.

I wouldnt use a table saw.
There is a thing such as kick-back, guys. And when you cut metal you want to cut it slow.

A geared down bandsaw would work well. Find an old 70's pulley bandsaw, and make a gear reduction set of pulleys, and slap a new blade on it.

Cool thanks guys. Looks like I need a torch then..I assume oxy-acetylene is the way to go still?

Yes I have an angle grinder with a cut off wheel that I've used for small projects in the past....I was just throwing around the idea of swapping out blades on a wood saw but I can defiantly see the problems which would arise with that..

4Crawler -- That is exactly what I was thinking of too. I had no idea that you could buy one that cheap though!

I have used a 10" cutoff wheel in a table saw before I had the band saw. Worked OK, but you need to be sure and clean out all the saw dust inside the saw so the sparks don't light it on fire. But I find the little band saw is very handy, I still have my little 4x6 saw:
- http://www.4crawler.com/Machining/in...andsawPivotFix

I have cut 3/16" steel with a jig saw, and steel cutting blades. Its slow, but it makes clean cuts and doesn't make nearly as much noise as a grinder. I also use a sawzall, and angle grinder with cut off wheels. It all depends on the cut. The jig saw can give you clean sharp corners, or curving cuts. I'll use the sawzall or cutoff wheel for longer straight cuts.

Also a metal cutting chop saw can come in handy, they are geared for cutting metal as well.

you weren't afraid of the kickback that potentially cut vital arteries in your hip, and right arm?
(i took woodshop)

With no teeth on the cutoff wheel, the chances of kickback are low.

x2, almost like cutting cement.

no when you try to cut metal with one of those types of disks and a high speed drill attachment, well, lets just say you better wear some nose protection.

If you don`t do this all the time

You might just want to have your steel cut to what you need where you buy your steel.

i am building a project with 3"x5" x3/16 having all the goodies to cut with it was just easier to have them do it.

I also have to say I use my Horizontal band saw the most

Here's another option....

http://www.cobratorches.com/7.html

http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/

holy cow I gotta git me one of those. :)

HF has the vert/horz band saw on sale this month for $186.00.

HF has the vert/horz band saw on sale this month for $186.00.