Cutting 3/8 plate?

[Mr Jimi]

I am going to purchase 2 sheets of 3/8 plate for attachments etc. I read a posting from another member and he used a Milwaukee 8" handheld saw, I looked up that saw and its a $370 saw? Yikes.
I don't have or want to use a torch or plasma cause I don't have either one?
I was thinking about a fiber, metal cutting blade in a 7 1/4 inch regular saw like a Makita.
I would clamp a angle straight edge and take my time and make sure there is nothing to catch fire, this will be a sparks show
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated and the metal shop with the shear is expensive
The steel is only $220 per 4' X 8' X 3/8" sheet
Thanks

 

[Tazza]

A standard circular saw with an abrasive wheel would do the job. The only problem is its a really hard job to cut steel this thick, it will be hot and noisy. Your main problem is keeping the cut tracking in a straight line, even with a straight edge it will not stay straight, the wheel is pull in its own direction. Your best bet would probably be an angle grinder with thin cut off wheels, you can get 4 and 5" wheels that are 1mm thick. They really do a good job, especially on thin steel, they fly through it. I did this on 3mm plate, like a hot knife through butter! The edge will have marks from the start and stop of the wheel, but this is easily ground smooth, and generally you weld to these edges so it doesn't matter.
I hope this is of at least some help.

 

[753g]

A standard circular saw with an abrasive wheel would do the job. The only problem is its a really hard job to cut steel this thick, it will be hot and noisy. Your main problem is keeping the cut tracking in a straight line, even with a straight edge it will not stay straight, the wheel is pull in its own direction. Your best bet would probably be an angle grinder with thin cut off wheels, you can get 4 and 5" wheels that are 1mm thick. They really do a good job, especially on thin steel, they fly through it. I did this on 3mm plate, like a hot knife through butter! The edge will have marks from the start and stop of the wheel, but this is easily ground smooth, and generally you weld to these edges so it doesn't matter.
I hope this is of at least some help.

Tazza, with my not so exact math conversion 3/8 inch steel is close to 9mm. I'm almost thinking something with some kind of liquid cooling/ lubrication injection might be a good idea. I know that one can get attachments for massonary saws that automatically squirt lube/coolant. And Jimi, Tazz is right on with the smaller blades on a cut off wheel too.. the larger blade diameter of a skillsaw has an extremely high edge speed, combine that with it's rather large cross section and you've got a cooked blade and burned metal in no time.

 

[Blaine]

Tazza, with my not so exact math conversion 3/8 inch steel is close to 9mm. I'm almost thinking something with some kind of liquid cooling/ lubrication injection might be a good idea. I know that one can get attachments for massonary saws that automatically squirt lube/coolant. And Jimi, Tazz is right on with the smaller blades on a cut off wheel too.. the larger blade diameter of a skillsaw has an extremely high edge speed, combine that with it's rather large cross section and you've got a cooked blade and burned metal in no time.

No matter what you do, it is going to be slow. It will try your patience and you will eat up blades. I would seriously think about renting a plasma cutter. Many of the equipment and tool rental places will have them available. If you do decided to go with a saw, the thinner blades are a must. Just be patient and make sure you wear eyes and ears.

 

[Mr Jimi]

No matter what you do, it is going to be slow. It will try your patience and you will eat up blades. I would seriously think about renting a plasma cutter. Many of the equipment and tool rental places will have them available. If you do decided to go with a saw, the thinner blades are a must. Just be patient and make sure you wear eyes and ears.

I will need about 12 cuts @ $25 per cut, I will be buying a new tool? again.
Its a Milwaukee metal cutting saw and pretty impressive tool, read about it below
I found some for $263 shipped
http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/web...d=189345&mainCategoryId=362&parentProd=281173
Jim

 

[500K_773]

I will need about 12 cuts @ $25 per cut, I will be buying a new tool? again.
Its a Milwaukee metal cutting saw and pretty impressive tool, read about it below
I found some for $263 shipped
http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=27&catalogId=40027&langId=-1&productId=284449&mainHeader=Tools&categoryId=189345&mainCategoryId=362&parentProd=281173
Jim

For longer blade life, go SLOW. I purchased 2 blades and would change blades so I could allow one to cool while I continued to cut. The manual included with the Milwaukee saw has recommended travel speeds depending thickness. It seems slow, but will save your blade.

 

[Eric]

For longer blade life, go SLOW. I purchased 2 blades and would change blades so I could allow one to cool while I continued to cut. The manual included with the Milwaukee saw has recommended travel speeds depending thickness. It seems slow, but will save your blade.

The Milwaukee metal saw, plasma cutter, or a cutting torch are good ways to cut this material at home. I don't recommend abrasive wheels on that thick of plate.

 

[Mr Jimi]

The Milwaukee metal saw, plasma cutter, or a cutting torch are good ways to cut this material at home. I don't recommend abrasive wheels on that thick of plate.

I have been looking at plasma cutters, the cost I dont like but the results are great.
Another tool for the shed LOL
I have to save some money for this one, they are between 1500 and 1800 dollars US

 

[Tazza]

I have been looking at plasma cutters, the cost I dont like but the results are great.
Another tool for the shed LOL
I have to save some money for this one, they are between 1500 and 1800 dollars US

LIES
I got mine off e-bay for $700 including shipping, thats .au $.
Its a 40 amp unit that will cut up to 16mm they rekon, i have tried cutting 16mm plate... not a chance! 1/2" i would say is the limit. On sheet metal its totally amazing! you can cut the top out of a 20litre drum in seconds! strike the arc, then move move move and get a perfect cut.
I have too many toys, but some i would never be without! my plasma cutter is one of them.

 

[sterlclan]

LIES
I got mine off e-bay for $700 including shipping, thats .au $.
Its a 40 amp unit that will cut up to 16mm they rekon, i have tried cutting 16mm plate... not a chance! 1/2" i would say is the limit. On sheet metal its totally amazing! you can cut the top out of a 20litre drum in seconds! strike the arc, then move move move and get a perfect cut.
I have too many toys, but some i would never be without! my plasma cutter is one of them.

I used the skill saw I made sevral passes at 1/16 depth each not to bad but slow if you have lots of time it is not too bad Good luck Jeff

 

[Mr Jimi]

I used the skill saw I made sevral passes at 1/16 depth each not to bad but slow if you have lots of time it is not too bad Good luck Jeff

Gentlemen, I bit the bullet today! I ordered the 3/8 plate ( 4 X 8 X 3/8 )sheared to my specs, Total US dollars was $297 I pick them in the morning! Yippee

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Gentlemen, I bit the bullet today! I ordered the 3/8 plate ( 4 X 8 X 3/8 )sheared to my specs, Total US dollars was $297 I pick them in the morning! Yippee

Jim So $77 for how many cuts? Just curious. Btw, got satelite up and running. DL @ 70kbs Ken

 

[Mr Jimi]

Jim So $77 for how many cuts? Just curious. Btw, got satelite up and running. DL @ 70kbs Ken

Ken, the plate was 229 and change the cutting was 48 and tax around 20 $
It was 5 cuts and they charged me 1 hour
Total was $296 and some change
You will like thos fast speeds
Jim

 

[farmboy55]

Have you asked your steel supplier what it would cost to have them cut it / shear it to size?

 

[Mustang Gregg]

Have you asked your steel supplier what it would cost to have them cut it / shear it to size?

Why not looking into buying a torch set up? They pay for themselves in not too much time. If you're building attachments, YOU WILL need one sooner than later. There are lease-to-buy programs too, I'm told.

 

[Tazza]

Why not looking into buying a torch set up? They pay for themselves in not too much time. If you're building attachments, YOU WILL need one sooner than later. There are lease-to-buy programs too, I'm told.

Over here a torch setup as you call it costs around $100 per year per bottle plus gas, but you own the hoses and hand piece. I admit you can't be without it, but its a bit expensve. A plasma cutter on the other hand i have found to be so very handy. All you need to feed it is air and power, lots of power.