cutting metal?

thesilversmith · Post by **thesilversmith** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 12:35 pm

what kind of tools are good for cutting mild steel? i was thinking of aviation snips for 18 and 16 ga, how well would they work? good, ok, not at all? I also have a jig saw, so would this be better than snips?

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 12:41 pm

Check out this thread:

http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/007843.html

[This message has been edited by Bjorn (edited 08-02-2002).]

Owain Cadarn · Post by **Owain Cadarn** » Fri Aug 02, 2002 10:59 pm

I've tried several methods. Right now I am using an oxy-acetelene torch to cut close to the pattern then I use bench grinder to hone the edge. It takes a little longer to get the finished piece because of all the grinder work but I find it a good way to meditate and think about how to work the piece later on

I've also tried an air nibbler but the one I have doesn't cut plate very well. I believe you can get heavier versions... I have heard that jigsaws are notoriously slow and noisy and sabre saws break blades frequently. If you really wanted to get heavy duty you could get a throatless shear (like a B-2 or B-3 Beverly) but they are quite expensive. I suppose you could cold chisel it too. I have been reading more and more reports of that being an effective method. I guess the bottom line is that there are many ways but each have their own advantages and disadvatages. I have mostly just shown the drawbacks to the methods I listed. All of them have good sides as well

I hope this helps your quest!

Owain Cadarn ap Dafydd of Caer Du

------------------
"You can't really dust
for vomit, can you?"
--Nigel Tuffnel (Spinal
Tap)

Melee · Post by **Melee** » Sat Aug 03, 2002 12:39 am

I have just been thru this delema, what works best is beverly b-2 shears but that'll set you back 600 big ones US. I AM using wiss hand snips they work, BUT you can only cut strait till something blocks your hand. I had to bend the metal ant a 90(little o here) angle then cut it. And that was just a 7 x 8 inch spaulder, took about 45 minutes. Now if your not scared chitless of a jigsaw's vibration use that ,but make shur the metal is clamped down TIGHTLY OR ELES. I have also tried a metal saw but mine had a bar that prevented me from cutting more than 4 inches dow, other than that it worked well. Next im going to try a punch that'll be fun. But if you have a system or tool(s) that work well and are cheap tell me, please.

Jacob · Post by **Jacob** » Sat Aug 03, 2002 1:18 am

keep a look out for used Beverly shears. They show up on the classifieds board and ebay, but then you're competing with all of the other metalworkers. I paid $300 for my B3 and consider that a darn good deal. Before that I used a jigsaw for almost everything and tinsnips to trim edges of thin sheet. Despite everyone's hatred of jigsaws, (including mine) they are very useful to have around. They can cut almost anything, including barstock, plate, and wood. That's what I recommend starting with, because it can do most things and you'll eventually want one anyway. So long as everything is set up correctly, a jigsaw is fairly easy to use. Eventually You'll probably want to have a number of different options for cutting different types of metal. I cut a lot of barstock with my 30" bolt cutters, but band saws, chop saws, and even hack saws are good to have at hand. Torch cutting and plasma cutting are great for a lot of things too, but those of us that dont have enough practice with them need to do a lot of cleanup on the edges.