Cutting metal

[Punx0r]

Tis may be a silly question, but what's a repo saw?

 

[KemppiFrog]

Used to build trailers years ago, good lubricated bandsaw could cut up to 6"x6" solid, so tube was a doddle. Oxy-Acet for all else.
Bought a 9" B&D Pro. In 1983. The mount was the same price as the grinder,, so I made one. I still have the set up in daily use. 3 switches and two sets of gears. That deals with the box and bar. Plasma for sheet and plate + air nibbler and electric shear for the thin stuff. Big manual bench shear for all sorts of stuff. I used this to cut 4mm plate for woodstoves until I got the plasma, builds good muscles, esp with 2.5mt x 1.25mt plates. 100kg each!
So chop saw would be my first buy.
KF

 

[zx9]

Tis may be a silly question, but what's a repo saw?

Google "Reciprocating Saw". They can be fitted with wood, block or in this case, metal cutting blades, a bit like an overgrown jig saw.

 

[Punx0r]

Of course I've wanted one of those for a while, but could think of anything I'd actually use it for. I didn't realise they coped with thick steel

 

[s410man]

Just to pick up on a couple of the points mentioned earlier.

1. plasmas can cut through painted or galvanized metal just fine.
2. I have no idea why anyone would recommend a donkey saw over a band saw, except that they look cooler when they're running. This is 2011, not 1811. Get a band saw.
3. Chop saws are NOT accurate. The vices are very crude, blades flex and slip on the surface before biting into the cut.

Al.

as far as i know only plasmas with hf start can cut galv or paint or you will need to clean a area off wherever you want to start

thay also produce fumes which can be dangerous

the only reason i would buy a donkey saw would be if i was on a tight budget and didnt have a lot of cutting to do

i think a good cuality chopsaw is accurate enough for most cutting for general fabrication

not as accurate as a plasma but then it doesnt have a big heavy bed and frame to keep it rigid

 

[brightspark]

every saw has there good and bad points depending on the sort of work u do and how fast u need it . in industry a band saw or chop saw is ideal . i have a rapidor donkey saw and it suits me fine. it will cut up to 6inch solid bar just set it up turn it on and come back later when its finished . i have a stack of blades that only cost a quid each the saw only cost me 60 quid 35 years ago and is in mint condition ive worked up at rgb stainless steel a few times wiring there big mechanical hacksaws up that they use to cut up to 12 inch round solid stainless steel bar

 

[sean-1]

Ive a prehistoric janyager cold saw with 24" blades cuts most things for me. Vertical band saw for anything that doesent fit into the cold, Nibblers for sheet.