Most economical way to cut sheet goods

[fireman_pete]

Hi All,

I am new to welding and building smokers. Built my first unit, a santa maria grill a couple of weeks ago and got hooked. I am using a 110v, Lincoln 140 mig, and have a couple of angle grinders and a cut off saw.

For the santa maria, I had the metal shop cut all of the plate to size for me (10 gauge). I used my circ saw with a metal blade to cut the expanded.

I am getting ready to make my next smoker, a vertical, insulated pellet "oven" I am planning to use 14g or 16g for the skin, and need to find the best way to cut it.

Looking for suggestions. Will the circ saw with a good metal blade do the job, or should I look at other options?

Would love a plasma cutter, but not anywhere in the budget right now.

Thanks!

Pete

[k.a.m.]

Pete, here is a good alternative.
http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Power-Tools-STEELSAW1-Circular/dp/B0046VUGSU
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[gandrfab]

I'm in the same boat with the plasma cutter.
What I do is lay everything out that I want to cut.
Then rent a plasma cutter.
Local to me they rent for about $60.oo a day.

[MikeBuiltWhat]

you can always use an torch to cut patterns or things. just use a smaller tip for the thinner metal cost isnt bad either. a bonus is you will have it to do other things.
a plasma cutter is very nice, but not always needed.

[fireman_pete]

Are these steel saws that much better than using the same blade on my circular saw?

[Maniac]

short answer yes they are made for metal cutting speed ect.
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RF Smoker
20" disc
uds

[Awning Guy]

Here is a link, there's a place in Riverside that you can rent one.

http://www.sunbeltrentals.com/locations/locationdetail.aspx?id=529
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First Build[/url]
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[k.a.m.]

[fireman_pete]

Thanks Guys, looks like I need to get a new toy. is the one that k.a.m. the best one for the money? Do not want to spend more than $175 or so, less would be better.

I know that harbor freight sells one for around $85 that has some good reviews, anyone use that one?
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-Pete
Cooks 'N Ladders BBQ Team
www.cooksnladders.com
Pete's Firehouse BBQ
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[Maniac]

Sorry Pete never used the HF one i have a cordless Hilti one
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RF Smoker
20" disc
uds

[garyeng]

This is the one I have and I use it to break down 1/4" steel plate with. http://www.tools-plus.com/milwaukee-6370-21.html The one thing I will say is that the blade it comes with does not last. Get the Lenox one that you can get at Lowes and you will be much happier.

Gary
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3rd Coast Smoke

[seanmurphy265]

Evolution makes a circular metal cutting saw. The next smoker I build I am going with pre-cut metal from a local steel supply. Not all steel companies cut to length, but the ones who charge little extra.

[Patrick Williams]

Do you have a local Metal Supermarket or Metal or roofing shop? If you do they will shear the material for you.(reasonable cost). Did you ask the supplier your buying it from what he would charge to cut it for you? Metal Supermarket sells offcuts or full sizes of sheet, tubing, bar, in all different materials and thicknesses. Only pay for what you need.

[lennyk]

Can these circular saws cut thin sheet like 18g ?

Also can the easily cut a steel rod or pipe hand held or the pipe needs to be properly clamped ?

[k.a.m.]

[lennyk]

Gonna get one,
B
My back hurts from lifting my 70lb Milwaukee chop saw

[slacker]

I have the harbor junk saw and am impressed with what it can do. I've cut the equivalent of 4 250gal tank circumferences, miscellaneous doors and 1/4" flats up to 8" without too much incident. I'm on my second blade as they loose teeth after a while. I smoked the motor on mine pretty good and it still cuts. Highly recommend this saw.
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David

If more is better, then way too much is just about right!

[Wreckless]

fireman_pete, while I still consider my shop neccessities only, just a few years back it was bare bones moreso. My O/A torch was on the fritz. I resorted to a 4.5" angle grinder with a cutoff blade. It is a bit time consuming but with about 4 hrs work and $10 worth of wheels, it made fairly short work of a 5' x 10' 1/4" plate with approx 12 panel cutouts of various shapes and sizes, leaving nice clean cuts along the way. A shearing outfit / business would not have been able to cut all of my configurations without a lot of scrap. I tried the circular saw with metal cutting wheel with with less desirable results. Once the cut drifted, it was a bear to get it back on course, prolly just me tho. If you go the cutoff wheel, post back, there are a few tips and tricks to make it work well for you. The cutoff wheel also works well for cope cutting angle. My chop saw did the rest of the work. JM2CW.
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Backyarder
Smoker Grill
Trailer Rig

[jerry516planes]

I agree with Pete. My steel supplier makes cuts for a dollar each. He has a nice shear and if you have it planned out 10 cuts can done in just a few minutes. While he has a sign saying a dollar a cut, I have never paid for one. I always shop at off times.
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Jerry

20" x 72" Stick Burner by Wasson
Member GLBBQA http://www.glbbqa.com/
Member KCBS and Certified Judge

[Dand78]