How do I cut steel?

[samualt]

I got some 3/16" thick x 2" wide steel and I need to cut 6 pieces 2.25" long and 2 pieces that are 4" long. I tried a miter saw and did hack off a piece but it took a long time with a metal cutting blade (like a graphite wheel). The metal cutting blade is kind of wide, about 1/8". It also melted the throat piece on the miter saw (plastic on base that blade slides through. Craftsman miter saw.) Should I try a hand hack-saw? Egads!
I also need to drill four holes in each with my drill press. I guess I probably need a special bit for that. I'm not going to ruin my pilot-points on this stuff.

I really thought it would be easier to cut. I can't imagine cutting thicker steel! How does everyone else do it?


P.S. Aluminum has spoiled me!

[Alan T.]

Take it to your local welding shop. They can shear it or press brake it for you in about 5 minutes. Most shops will do small jobs for you if you talk to them and let them know what you need it for.

Alan T.

[smoke]

Sandvik make exellent quality blades and frames. 18 teeth/inch would be exellent for this thickness. It will be quiet, no smoke or smell and about 2 minutes/cut.

[Hobbiest]

Go and get yourself a cheap angle grinder, then get some cut off wheels for it. You can use the grinder for loads more than just the cutting too. I have even put a sanding wheel on mine, and used it for sanding contours on X-mas presents for my kids. I have cut through 3/4" rod with this set up, and it doesn't take very long at all. As far as drilling it goes, just make sure to use bits that are made for metal...I have some that are pilot point, and they work quite well.

[samualt]

I figured out how to do it. I wasn't pressing hard enough. I have to put some pressure, not too much, and the metal turns bright red, sparks fly all about the place (use goggles not glasses!), and it will cut it within 2 minutes. If you just see small sparks shooting backward that isn't enough. You know your cutting when thick sparks start to jump in every direction. Did I mention a fire extenguisher would be a good thing to have handy? LOL. It melts the crap out the throat plate on the miter saw (I already have a replacement for it.) I caught it on fire once. Of course, the garage smells like a plastics factory that burned down, but oh well....
Thank god this is the only steel part on my machine besides bolts!

[duluthboat]

LOL!!!!

[ger21]

How about a jigsaw with a metal cuting blade?

[fattuna]

hey guys....i think taking it to a local weld shop is the best but if you really don't want to do this you do have a couple of options.

1. ask the local high school metal shop if they can cut it for you and donate something (grinding wheel) to the shop.

2. there are local wood shops that have a bandsaw that they can cut metal or steel or even the high school shop.

3. finally, like someone suggested you can get a 4" dia. cutting wheel...you do have to anticipate heat distortion.

4. finally if you do have a regular wood mitre saw...there are a couple of companies that produce a steel saw blade that will cut steel...kinda of expensive and with some they need coolant and some dont

hope this helps

[Hobbiest]

3/16 won't distort when using an abrasive wheel, at least not enough to worry about. I have cut metal all different ways through the years, from borrowing tanks and torches, to chop saw, bandsaw, grinding wheel (if 1/8" or less), hacksaw (when you start having to cut through 3/4", you really wish you had tools!), and on down the line. I really have found that the grinder with a cut off wheel is the cheapest/best scenario. I even like it better than the $80 electric die grinder I used to use every day. I know a crazy guy who saves the old chop saw wheels when they get to be about 10" diameter or so. Then he puts them on a 7" Makita angle grinder! You wanna talk danger! Don't do it! I just watch from a distance as I see a 4400rpm blade spinning at 7500rpm! CRAZY!!! Anyway, the added advantage of the grinder with a cut off in it, is that you can clean the edges with the same tool after cutting.