cutting scrap metal

[grandads_shed]

i was wondering if i used a thick stick of copper in a arc welder, would it burn away quickly? i need to cut up some 5mm steel. the cut do not have to be neat, as long as i cut it.
i do not have a plasma cutter. and the steel is 14 inches wide so realy an agle grinder is out of the question , also the others living in the street would complain to the council if i spend the time useing an agle grinder.

any ideas concidered

 

[superls]

jigsaw? ive cut 1/4 inch with a jigsaw, used a coarse ish metal blade and plenty of lube

 

[KTMMICK]

You could try cranking the power up and using a welding rod that will work. Not the best way but it works.......I believe you can get proper rods for this purpose but I would use ordinary ones.......how much you got to cut is the thing!

 

[astro_al]

Can the item be moved? I'd take it to someone local & get the to guillotine it or plasma across it. I'd do it for free if someone dropped in asking for help.

If not, I'd just use an angle grinder - its not a big cut, and your neighbours need to realise that life goes on during the day. It'll only take 5 mins - don't they ever have house repairs done or anything?!?

Al.

 

[gavuk]

I'm with Al ,angle grinder if all else fails ,prefer a 9" for longer thicker matl,but a 4" with a 1mm disc,wouldn't take that long ,maybe could get away with score-ing the line part way through and fatigue the last bit into breaking off...good luck mate....

 

[pedrobedro]

the steel is 14 inches wide so realy an agle grinder is out of the question , also the others living in the street would complain to the council if i spend the time using an agle grinder.

any ideas concidered

Let them complain,it's reasonable to use power tools between 0800 and 1700 for anything you want to do on your own or rented property. Just explain that it is not something you do all day and every day if anyone complains.

 

[brightspark]

its 2 thick to burn with a welding rod even at high amps angle grinder with cutting disk the best. it wouldnt take long .cant u cart it sumwhere else 2 cut

 

[tigler]

If not, I'd just use an angle grinder - its not a big cut, and your neighbours need to realise that life goes on during the day. It'll only take 5 mins - don't they ever have house repairs done or anything?!?

Al.

What about someone who is ill or working shifts ?? There is too much inconsiderate noise pollution.

 

[astro_al]

Life goes on. If you are in such a condition that a short period of running a power tool inside nearby property is too much, then you need to look into sound deadening within your own property, or wearing ear plugs or similar.

I used to work nights and get woken up by workmen etc during my 'night'. Tough. Its reasonable to repair things and do work when most people are awake.

Al.

 

[Hitch]

Ive 'cut' stuff with normal welding rods when i have been stuck on site.
Bit rought but does it, watch out for the hot blobs of steel...

I dont have a problem using a grinder in my garage, usually do it between about 10am and 6pm. Just keep it to a minimum. Hardly anyone about during the day, and for them on shifts, its tough. If they are ill, tough again. Just beceuase someones got a stuffy nose, the rest of us dont stop.

 

[tigler]

I was thinking more of people with serious or long term illness.
Thats the problem with todays society , too much of that "tough" attitude. Glad your not my neighbour.

 

[weldingscotty803]

I was thinking more of people with serious or long term illness.
Thats the problem with todays society , too much of that "tough" attitude. Glad your not my neighbour.

i think you would love to be hitch's neighbour, i certainly would.
just think of all the favours, " can you cut me this please hitch"
in this day and age, nobody gives a sh1t. i rarely go out due to the knob heads round town, people think i am boring because all i talk about is work welding and s3x. i'm 23 years old, done more than most people double my age have, plus i have a family to support and a mortgage to pay, i have since being 18 years old. i dont want simpathy etc, but tbh i look after myself and people i know. if joe bloggs down the road has got a cold and he doesnt want to hear me grinding for 5 minutes, then tell him to comeround and ask me politly to stop. most 'joe bloggs' would rather call the council or coppers.
if someone asked me then i'd happily stop, tell them i'll be 5 minutes and maybe have a chat with them, maybe get to know them. people who call the coppers etc are either too stuck up their own **** to get out the house or are too ill. if their too ill then they will have to wait 5 minutes till ive finished.
99.9% of the time i cut or grind in the gtarage btw, with the door shut cos i hate nosy barstools looking what i am doin(the next door neighbour for example)
anyway moan over
get it cut grandads shed. as long as its not cutting for 5 hours solid. try clamping it down to something, reduces the noise from vibrations etc

 

[Pete.]

i was wondering if i used a thick stick of copper in a arc welder, would it burn away quickly? i need to cut up some 5mm steel. the cut do not have to be neat, as long as i cut it.
i do not have a plasma cutter. and the steel is 14 inches wide so realy an agle grinder is out of the question , also the others living in the street would complain to the council if i spend the time useing an agle grinder.

any ideas concidered

Today I cut a 1200x1200mm plate 10mm thick in half with a 9" grinder. Didn't take long and I got a nice straight cut using a straight edge too. Just cut it.

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

The fumes off the copper are exceptionally evil it's called copper ague and you get a lousy head ache for days as well as feeling like hooping up for a week or more ( I still do some times when I smell vapourised copper and it's now 40 years later on ).
How do I know all this ... I vapourised some 5 mm solid copper wire at 200 amps 24 volts by accident when working on a 20,000 ltr fueltanker ( Steamed out ) .. My hearing and eye sight was non too good for a few hours after either.


If you get no joy go back to real engineering days

Steady 2 1/2 (?) hr job with hand hacksaw or shorter if you pre drill with 8 mm holes nearly touching and join up the holes ..even quicker if you drill and then use electric jig saw or a disc cutter to join the holes.

 

[the snooper]

use the ginder they dont make that much noise

 

[Pete.]

In the absence of a 9" grinder I'd find a local sheet metalworks and give them a tenner to stuff it in their guilotine (or burn it).

 

[grandads_shed]

thanks lads i got it sorted i sold the old trailer. needed to mich work to repair but the bloke was happy with it.

 

[brookie456]

i think you would love to be hitch's neighbour, i certainly would.
just think of all the favours, " can you cut me this please hitch"
in this day and age, nobody gives a sh1t. i rarely go out due to the knob heads round town, people think i am boring because all i talk about is work welding and s3x. i'm 23 years old, done more than most people double my age have, plus i have a family to support and a mortgage to pay, i have since being 18 years old. i dont want simpathy etc, but tbh i look after myself and people i know. if joe bloggs down the road has got a cold and he doesnt want to hear me grinding for 5 minutes, then tell him to comeround and ask me politly to stop. most 'joe bloggs' would rather call the council or coppers.
if someone asked me then i'd happily stop, tell them i'll be 5 minutes and maybe have a chat with them, maybe get to know them. people who call the coppers etc are either too stuck up their own **** to get out the house or are too ill. if their too ill then they will have to wait 5 minutes till ive finished.
99.9% of the time i cut or grind in the gtarage btw, with the door shut cos i hate nosy barstools looking what i am doin(the next door neighbour for example)
anyway moan over
get it cut grandads shed. as long as its not cutting for 5 hours solid. try clamping it down to something, reduces the noise from vibrations etc

..and I'm twice your age. AMEN, b*gger 'em, they're the first one's to ask for a favour, the phrase..."can you just..." springs to mind, 4 hrs work, no cup 'o tea and no s*dding thanks whatsoever. Don't let your neighbours bully you, do your thing The fact that you consider others makes me think that you won't take the mick

 

[grandads_shed]

.. The fact that you consider others makes me think that you won't take the mick

no but i would be quite happy to take mandy

 

[weldingscotty803]

..and I'm twice your age. AMEN, b*gger 'em, they're the first one's to ask for a favour, the phrase..."can you just..." springs to mind, 4 hrs work, no cup 'o tea and no s*dding thanks whatsoever. Don't let your neighbours bully you, do your thing The fact that you consider others makes me think that you won't take the mick

me, naaaaaaa