Question on cutting straight

[lippsenator]

Hi, newbie here.

In the image below how do they cut the 3 rectangles inside the gate?
My wife likes this kind of look on a gate; it provides a nice degree of privacy without being a wall of metal, but I’m not sure how to go about making the cuts in a sheet of metal so they're no crooked like my nose.

 

[bigbadbugga]

Most likely to be laser cut or water jet.

 

[chunkolini]

You can get edges that straight by hand with a plasma cutter and a straight edge.
Just thinking out loud here. Click Click Click.
A thin cutting disc in an angle grinder and a rigged up straight edge, box section with the top of the gear bocks of the grinder running along it might work.

Chunko'.

 

[lippsenator]

Ok, thanks. Quick search around my parts and several popped up on laser/water cutting as a service. Not sure of cost, but i will check into it.

Thanks.

 

[lippsenator]

You can get edges that straight by hand with a plasma cutter and a straight edge.
Just thinking out loud here. Click Click Click.
A thin cutting disc in an angle grinder and a rigged up straight edge, box section with the top of the gear bocks of the grinder running along it might work.

Chunko'.

That's another good idea, Chunko, thanks.

In that image, obviously hard to tell, but would you have any inkling what gage/thickness, that sheet is?

 

[Gosh14]

Seems like 2-3mm mild steel sheet, according to 40 box off the gate frame taken as a scale. But it doesn`t looks to me as a solid piece. 90% to 3 simple rectangle cutoff`s with a fancy flatworks welded in. If i was in your shoes i`d go that way. You can try laser cutters but don`t be surprised of getting month wages quote from them. The work itself (cut with laser/plasma) isn`t that dear but you`ll pay a price for design and programming. Unless you will provide CNC programm yourself.

 

[weldingscotty803]

cant you use something like 100x3mm flat strips to make a square and add some 50x3mm flat for the two vertical strips? like what Gosh14 is trying to explain
ground flat and painted you would never know.
thats given me ideas for a new gate design
then use some 6mm round bar etc for the details in the windows.
looks to me like 30x30 box round the edges of the gate and 40mm box for the post

 

[Dogbreath23]

if you're cutting out with a grinder drill out the corners first then you'll have em clean looking.

 

[Dogbreath23]

and use a 1mm cutting disc.

 

[weldingscotty803]

or................... a 0.8mm slitting disk.
dont flex or twist though as they shatter!!
use a 9 inch grinder if you have one as it is easier with the larger disk. use 2mm, or thinner, disks though.

 

[dub warrior2]

OR......... One of those RAGE electric circular saws that are surposed to cut through any material.
Just adjust the rip fence on it, lay it down on the work and he slowly lower the blade into the work. Push along and stop when you get to the end.

 

[Windy Miller]

OR......... One of those RAGE electric circular saws that are surposed to cut through any material.
Just adjust the rip fence on it, lay it down on the work and he slowly lower the blade into the work. Push along and stop when you get to the end.

Hmmm don't think I'd fancy doing that! Sounds like a trip to A&E coming up!

The riving knife would probably get in the way anyhow. Plunging with a circular saw is dodgy enough on wood but sounds down right dangerous on steel. Or maybe I'm just a pussy?

 

[chunkolini]

Unless it is a proper plunge saw with the base, clip on guide and whole caboodle it would take off like a flesh eating rocket.

Chunko'.

 

[penfold]

Getting that lasered or jet cut could probably be done for 2-300 if you supply a DXF file; I've found that there's huge variation between quotes for the same cutfile. I asked for quotes for a fairly complex stainless steel grating for a doorstep and the range was £105-1700 including p&p.

 

[chunkolini]

I you are after laser cutting try Premier Laser.
I have used them a few times, no charges for turning a dodgy sketch into a plan.
But straight lines? surely they can be done by hand with guides.
Chunko'.