Take a plasma cutter to a steel merchant?

[skotl]

So, if Santa is kind, then my wife, sorry - Santa, will be bringing me a plasma cutter for xmas.

When I've picked up steel from the merchants in the past, they've pointed me in the direction of an extension lead and told me to help myself but I've just used my trusty hacksaw (mostly box section).

I've also picked up 6mm plate at 1m wide, which is great cos my truck's load bed has a usable space of 1100mm.

But the thinner stuff is 1200mm... I could bung it in at a jaunty angle but I don't want to because a) it will deform and b) it's going to fly around loose whereas if it's flat then I can put the spare wheel on top of it to keep it in place.

So the question is; do you think that if I pitched up with a 240v compressor and plasma cutter that they would let me shave 15mm off it onsite?
I'm guessing no, by the way, so my disappointometer is set pretty low...

 

[the snooper]

wouldn't it be easier to take a piece if ply with you to support the steel at an angle, if not and the steel is thin enough get some electric sheers and a small invertor and just sheer off the 15mm

 

[Robotstar5]

As you seem to like hacksawing, maybe take a padsaw for the long runs?

 

[Wendelspanswick]

So, if Santa is kind, then my wife, sorry - Santa, will be bringing me a plasma cutter for xmas.

When I've picked up steel from the merchants in the past, they've pointed me in the direction of an extension lead and told me to help myself but I've just used my trusty hacksaw (mostly box section).

I've also picked up 6mm plate at 1m wide, which is great cos my truck's load bed has a usable space of 1100mm.

But the thinner stuff is 1200mm... I could bung it in at a jaunty angle but I don't want to because a) it will deform and b) it's going to fly around loose whereas if it's flat then I can put the spare wheel on top of it to keep it in place.

So the question is; do you think that if I pitched up with a 240v compressor and plasma cutter that they would let me shave 15mm off it onsite?
I'm guessing no, by the way, so my disappointometer is set pretty low...

Your lucky that they allow customers to use power tools onsite, I remember buying a sheet of weld mesh 2m by 3.6m and the yard foreman refused to let me use my angle grinder on site, I suggested a petrol powered Stihl saw as this was not using their power but still no so I had to return with a pair of bolt croppers.

 

[eSCHEn]

If they're happy for you to angle grind to size on site (I presume they are because they offer you power) then I don't see why they wouldn't let you use a plasma. Sure it'll use more power but it will also run for a much smaller amount of time so must use similar total amounts of power?

Try rocking up with the kit and asking nicely. Biscuits always seem to improve the odds I find

I use a portable angle grinder and it's a life-saver. Got it second hand as the original owner found it gutless. Super handy though.

 

[shedfull]

I like a jig saw for breaking stuff down, had a nice bosch one 'till someone nicked it.

Might get one of these.

http://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/gst-25-metal-26175-ocs-p/

or a makita cordless.

Lee.

 

[skotl]

Cheers guys. I guess for the thinness of metal, in angle grinder is probably the best bet.

wouldn't it be easier to take a piece if ply with you to support the steel at an angle, if not and the steel is thin enough get some electric sheers and a small invertor and just sheer off the 15mm

The width limitation is the wheel arches, so I'd basically need a wooden form that covered the whole of the load bed, at a height of 18", otherwise the sheet would deform.

 

[CRB]

Better get your measuring glasses on first.

my truck's load bed has a usable space of 1100mm. But the thinner stuff is 1200mm...

Shaving 15mm of 1200 is still 85mm bigger than your load bed.

 

[KemppiFrog]

Better get your measuring glasses on first.

Shaving 15mm of 1200 is still 85mm bigger than your load bed.

Picky....

 

[norlander]

The width limitation is the wheel arches, so I'd basically need a wooden form that covered the whole of the load bed, at a height of 18", otherwise the sheet would deform.

WOOD!! now a welder would knock up a set up of angle frames that bolt in and the sheet (s) go in on their edge, much easier to load n unload n all.

 

[skotl]

Better get your measuring glasses on first.

Shaving 15mm of 1200 is still 85mm bigger than your load bed.

It took me a while, but I get it now

OK- 15CM, then!

 

[skotl]

WOOD!! now a welder would knock up a set up of angle frames that bolt in and the sheet (s) go in on their edge, much easier to load n unload n all.

I've been working with wood for far longer than I've been welding

 

[eSCHEn]

I've been working with wood for far longer than I've been welding

Must resist double entendré...

 

[skotl]

fnaar fnaar

 

[norlander]

I've been working with wood for far longer than I've been weldi

Already said it-winters long up in Scotland.

 

[DAPPH]

Depending on how thin /thick ,why not use some cargo straps and plenty of oily rags as padding for the straps , to make a gentle pig arc / archery bow type curve till the width fits the bed then strap it down as per a normal load , with more straps ?
Surely it will spring back without any bend as losing the 15 cm is not much of a curve over the whole width .

 

[skotl]

Depending on how thin /thick ,why not use some cargo straps and plenty of oily rags as padding for the straps , to make a gentle pig arc / archery bow type curve till the width fits the bed then strap it down as per a normal load , with more straps ?
Surely it will spring back without any bend as losing the 15 cm is not much of a curve over the whole width .

TBH, I'm probably over thinking it. Even if I just put it in at a jaunty angle then I should be able to flatten it again on the garage floor.

 

[Mr shiney]

Why would you want to take a plasma cutter to your steel merchant? Mine is really nice and I think if I took my plasma to her she would probably less willing to let me have the freebie scrap bits I get now............