AP Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 What do you guys use to cut thick steel, like 3/8" and thicker? I have been thinking about getting an angle grinder like recomended in the coiling article. There's a cheap one at home depot $30 for a 4" angle grinder, is this going to be tough enough to cut 5/8" or 3/4" thick steel? If I got one i would buy eye protection too but would I have sparks and pieces of metal flying all over the place? I don't have a garage so this has got to be clean enough to do outside or on my deck, a little bit is fine but it can't look like war zone out there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAN PRAYDIS Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 What do you guys use to cut thick steel, like 3/8" and thicker? I have been thinking about getting an angle grinder like recomended in the coiling article. There's a cheap one at home depot $30 for a 4" angle grinder, is this going to be tough enough to cut 5/8" or 3/4" thick steel? If I got one i would buy eye protection too but would I have sparks and pieces of metal flying all over the place? I don't have a garage so this has got to be clean enough to do outside or on my deck, a little bit is fine but it can't look like war zone out there... ← i bought one from wallmart with a 4 year guarantee and buy some thin metal cutting blades there as thick as a quarter i cut through 2 inch round stock in just under 2 minutes and the blade didn't show any ware at all it is going to make sparks and some dust but as long as you sweep it up the small sparks of steel won't rust when it rains and put on eye protection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
climber511 Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 Well - a chop saw is best as the steel gets thicker, and especially if you ever plan to cut tubular stock etc and want square ends to weld to etc - I mean that's what they are for. A Sawsall will work and so will an angle grinder but buy a 4 1/2" angle grinder instead of 4", usually more disks available. Any time you "grind" your way thru steel, it's gonna throw hot metal pieces all over the place - not much of a way around that. I use my chop saw on the sidewalk and just sweep when I'm done - no big deal. Then use the angle grinder to smooth the ends a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMERHEAD Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 Chris is right. For tubing definitly use the chop saw. Dan is right as well about getting metal cutting blades. I use an angle grinder with cutting blades because I'm cutting steel rods not tubing. You may want to use gloves as well. The steel can get hot around the area you cut. Good luck. -HH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Edgin Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Take your hacksaw, wrap the handle in 3" of athletic tape, and get a workout in! But to more properly answer your question, an angle grinder with cutoff disks will be fine for your situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honk Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Easyest would be a big bold cutter mine bites through 11mm stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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