Basic Cutting Suggestions

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I recently completed an introductory arc welding class and have a few project ideas I'd like to tackle. I'm looking for suggestions on some basic cutting power tools and I'm budgeting some where between $500 and $1000 for a basic setup.I have an angle grinder, recip saw and a buzz box ... and oddly enough, I happen to have a Hypertherm 45 - but I'm not sure I can cut things like 45* angles across pipe very accurately with that setup. So, my initial thought is that I need a metal band saw and a drill press ... and for perfect angles, maybe a chop saw? I know I can get these types of machines from Grizzly but I think they'll all spin too fast so I'm looking for suggestions as to manufacturers and products that would be correct for metal and still fit within my budget.For instance, do I want something like a portable band saw? Based on this thread, I'm afraid I don't want a big box store chop saw, but something like this is a bit more than I want to chew off right now.An example project would be something like these keyboard stands. I'll need to cut pipe of some sort and it'd be nice to be able to cut a concave edge such that the round pipe actually complete butt up against each other (I'm not really sure how to do that yet).So I'm looking for some advice regarding a basic cutting setup - and maybe where the pricing sweet spots lay. Maybe I could budget a bit more and get nicer gear? I'm just afraid something like this Ricoh might not be slow enough or geared correctly for metal.Sorry for the length and thanks in advance - and please share any articles that discuss cutting and techniques for certain joints like concave cuts, etc.
Reply:If you want to make "perfect" miters, get a band saw, or a carbide bladed dry cut saw like this milwaukee.http://www.milwaukeetool.com/tools/t...achine/6190-20As far as tube/ pipe joints, You are probably looking for a tube notcher. There are any number of ways to cope and notch tube/pipe. Do a search on here and you'll find any number of ones from the cheap HF units to expensive top of the line units some have. I either do the joints free hand, or use my mill to cope pipe. I was given a cheap notcher years ago, but didn't care for it..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:i would look around on craigslist for a 4x6 horizontal band saw.. you can catch them for $100-$150 pretty often..i would suggest a tubing notcher, depending on how serious you want to get.. there are cheaper import brands of notchers such as this one http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedw...cher,3482.html  if your doing relatively thin wall tubing you'll be fine with it..  for a good notcher that will last i would suggest a jd2 notchmaster and a good heavy duty milwaukee or makita drillmotor.  https://www.jd2.com/p-63-notchmaster.aspxheres a video of how the notcher works http://medfordtools.com/video/notchmaster.wmvLast edited by brucer; 07-12-2011 at 11:49 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I got a new 4x6 bandsaw really cheap, and I love the thing. It cut perfactly, right out of the box. Best $200 one can spend, just figure in a little more for a half decent blade and a good stand. Good luck!! [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zEN_pHpBwI[/ame][Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Dude, what kind of credibility is a welder with a PINK saw? .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Here is a basic OA cutting suggestion....In addition to making sure your cutting torch tips are clean...and the gases properly adjusted....be sure you have ONE  of the preheating holes positioned  exactly in the direction you are cutting.... when someone showed me this it really helped my OA cutting...Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWDude, what kind of credibility is a welder with a PINK saw?
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseI got a new 4x6 bandsaw really cheap, and I love the thing. It cut perfactly, right out of the box. Best $200 one can spend, just figure in a little more for a half decent blade and a good stand. Good luck!!
Reply:Originally Posted by brucerhey thats not pink,  its MAUVE
Reply:I have to cut 45 degree miters in structural tube often, 2x2, 2x3 and 2x4, with 3/16" and 1/4" wall thickness. I used to use my horizontal band saw...and had to set up supports as the pieces of tube could be rather long...and come from the supplier in 24' lengths.Looking for a better way....I fabbed some slip on guides for my Powermax45 (I also use my Powermax30) plasma torch....and now I can cut accurate diagonal cuts in this material in a fraction of the time it took with the band saw...and I clean up the edges with the angle grinder in about 15 or 20 seconds so they are ready for welding.If anyone is interested I'll go out in the shop later and take some pictures of the guides, and show how well they work. The Hypertherm plasma's all have torch front ends that work well with cutting along the edge of a guide.....and now I can actually cut the stock to length easily as it is unloaded from my truck or trailer....saving a few steps and saving my back.Oh, and my old bandsaw is a "medium aquamarine" color (according to my wife)...and all along I thought it was green.Jim ColtLast edited by jimcolt; 07-13-2011 at 10:17 AM.
Reply:Jim, OH YES !!!  Very interested in the guides......Thanks.Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:@Lanse ... thanks for the vid. I'd not seen those in action. It really looks like you can set that up and walk away. Congrats - looks like a good purchase.@DSW ... love that Milwaulkee. While they obviously have different strengths (bandsaw vs chopsaw) I'm thinking think that Milwaulkee might be a good early purchase. Quiet, quick, accurate, lots of miters. Unless I'd get a portafab, Other than maybe size and cost to own, I'm not sure if there are alot of things the horizontal bandsaw can do that the miter saw can't.@brucer ... the jd2 was just what I was looking for! Watching a few videos it makes sense now.@jimcolt ... so on the last day of class the teacher breaks out the Powermax and starts cutting --- lots of ooos and ahs. He sold me on the unit right then and there - and probably prematurely I might add, most of my early project ideas will likely involve tubing and square and angle instead of sheet or plate. But it showed up last week. I am swapping the 20' lead out for a 50' footer but otherwise, I hope to get it fired up soon .... so YES, would appreciate seeing any jigs or guides or other suggestions anyone might have for the Hypertherm. So expensive, I'd feel vindicated if I could use it for 90% of my cutting.
Reply:LutherBaker,Do not forget the gouging capability.  As a newer welder, I am assuming you grind out a fair amount of welds.  Your ears and grinder will thank you once you try it our.
Reply:Thanks guys!! Alright, so the color wouldnt have been my first choice, but it beats the puke green that some of the older ones are... Im happy with it [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseThanks guys!! Alright, so the color wouldnt have been my first choice, but it beats the puke green that some of the older ones are... Im happy with it
Reply:Originally Posted by brucerhey thats not pink,  its MAUVE
Reply:jizz, that's taking forever to cut....my milwaukee portable band saw cuts in a flash, i bought it for 40bukcs(used)..., honestly no bs!...don't you like to have to force the lever down by hand to cut faster??does that make sense to you?but,overall, nice vid...thanks for sheering..
Reply:Originally Posted by Migjizz, that's taking forever to cut....my milwaukee portable band saw cuts in a flash, i bought it for 40bukcs(used)..., honestly no bs!...don't you like to have to force the lever down by hand to cut faster??does that make sense to you?but,overall, nice vid...thanks for sheering..