id like to know what peoples preferred way to cut metal is,and any advantages/disadvantages different methods have.The only things i have used are my 4" angle grinder,which is good but larger work pieces have to be moved to cut all the way around,and a hacksaw time being the issue with that one even though they are accurate.Im thinking of buying a 9" grinder and maybe a chop saw after ive read up on them abit.
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GrahamGKD
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I use a plasma cutter for sheet and also for flat bar if I have several cuts to make (for flat I run the torch along the engineers square - I know to set the square 4mm over from the finished size). The plasma isn't quite so handy on box section, although I have used it. I mostly use the hacksaw for box or for a small job where it's not worth getting the plasma out.
i have thought about a plasma cutter but considering the shape of the steel i will be cutting (box,channel,tube) i didnt think it would be very effective,thats why i have been looking at other methods like a chop saw.Like you say hacksaws are efficient,maybe if i got a decent one that might be all il need
chunkolini
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If it is box section I would buy a chopsaw, go for a TCT blade version over an abrasive blade. (Tungsten Carbide Tipped)
I have a TCT blade in mine and it has not needed sharpening in four and half years.
Makes mitring joints soooo much easier than using a hand held grinder.
for sheet I use mostly a pair of Bosch hand held power shears, and for fancy shapes plasma is the way.
I have a TCT blade in mine and it has not needed sharpening in four and half years.
Makes mitring joints soooo much easier than using a hand held grinder.
for sheet I use mostly a pair of Bosch hand held power shears, and for fancy shapes plasma is the way.
gavuk
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Horizontal bandsaw for me too,chop saws are too noisy at home for me ..At work we only have a cold saw which works well but i have to "drive it" my bandsaw i set in motion and leave it 
....vari pitch blades on bandsaws cope well with all materials without changing ,our cold saw is not as good for light steel and requires a light touch,powered hacksaw (machines) are an alternative but are slow but if cheap enough worth considering....Abrasive cut off saws or rage type blades have their uses but are noisy or dusty...make ideal site tools ,my neighbours wouldn't be impressed though...They can all be very accurate,cold saws and well set up bandsaws are more than adequate for most fabricating and machining work and would always be my first choice ,but every type of saw will have its own fans
....vari pitch blades on bandsaws cope well with all materials without changing ,our cold saw is not as good for light steel and requires a light touch,powered hacksaw (machines) are an alternative but are slow but if cheap enough worth considering....Abrasive cut off saws or rage type blades have their uses but are noisy or dusty...make ideal site tools ,my neighbours wouldn't be impressed though...They can all be very accurate,cold saws and well set up bandsaws are more than adequate for most fabricating and machining work and would always be my first choice ,but every type of saw will have its own fans chriskelland
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Bosch have a good selection of metal blades for my cordless jigsaw for everything I can't get in my Rage 3. Noise not too much of a problem as workshop is insulated for heat and seems to keep things quiet as well.
Chris.
Chris.
it will be nearly all mild steel,id say at the minute i cut around twice per week making 3-4 cuts at a time using an angle grinder so now its hobby use,the grinder isnt well suited for what im cutting things like box tube and channel i dont think i will be working with sheet metal.As for sizes i would say i wont be going over 6 inches wide or over half inch thick thats why i was looking in to chopsaws,the steel will fit and the majority of cuts will be mitre or straight.I dont really want to spend over 250
For me it depends what i'm cutting and what the access is like
I've use the angle grinder for thick stuff and box/tube, sometimes in the mount I have for it (which makes it like a chopsaw) also use a hacksaw if havn't got much cutting to do or it needs to be neater, for sheet I use the jigsaw with a metal blade, sometimes an airsaw if it's for bodywork and access is tight.
For small bits of sheet i'll use tin snips or the air shears
I've use the angle grinder for thick stuff and box/tube, sometimes in the mount I have for it (which makes it like a chopsaw) also use a hacksaw if havn't got much cutting to do or it needs to be neater, for sheet I use the jigsaw with a metal blade, sometimes an airsaw if it's for bodywork and access is tight.
For small bits of sheet i'll use tin snips or the air shears
Luke
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I've got one of the cheap-ish hobby bandsaws. It works very well for what it is, is pretty accurate, you can set it going and leave it to it, it doesn't take long unless you're cutting something hefty.
http://www.engineerstoolroom.co.uk/bandsaws.htm
http://www.engineerstoolroom.co.uk/bandsaws.htm
do you just clamp whatever you want to cut,turn it on and it does the work itself? i like the look of them,and they seem to be cheap
What are the mounts like? i have seen some but only to fit small angle grinders
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Have you thought of looking for a second hand "donkey saw" (don't know what the proper name is
) that's what I use for the same type of material and cuts at work.
brightspark
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one of these --=donkey saw . mechanical hacksawHave you thought of looking for a second hand "donkey saw" (don't know what the proper name is
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Yeah it's for a small angle grinder, tbh I was a little dissapointed with it, not as heavy duty as it looked and had to do quite a bit of messing to get it to work.
I wouldn't buy another i'd make one, its a pretty simple affair really
roofman
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Axminster mechanical hacksaw for stock round and square and plasma for sheet..i dont like them 14" chopsaws in the dry dusty workshop as there are too many crazy sparks everywhere that could give you a bad day
