Plasma cutting rebar?

admin

I need to make 1200 cuts on 5/8" rebar and 300 cuts on 1/2" rebar. They do not have to be precise, just close. I was thinking of trying to lay the rebar down on the table and my length hanging off and clamping a guide on top then cutting a bunch of pieces at once. Has anyone tried this before? How well did it work? As my signature says, I have a Hypertherm Powermax 600."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I can't see why it wouldn't work. I've made a few cuts on rebar with my PM 1000. Usually I use a torch rather than the plasma if I have to use something other than the rebar cutter or the demo saw as we discussed. I'd set the plasma to the interupted cut setting like for cutting expanded mesh if you have that option.Did you change your mind on the saw, or did the bar kill the blade?.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:Might work if you had a larger plasma. The PM600 max cut is around 1/2 inch. A large bolt/ rebar cutter might work faster than the PM 600. Now IF you had a 100 amp PM 1650, you could cut it real fast. But check and see if you can use heat to cut the rebar. Rebar is worked cold most of the time.
Reply:I've done lots of 5/8 rebar.  I usually just cut each one individually.  Make a bump stop to set your length.  Pull a stick off the trailer, bump it against the stop, cut, bump, cut, bump, cut, pull another one.  This seems to be faster than taking the time to line up a whole row of them.Trying to cut a bundle doesn't work so well since the slag gets caught up in the bundle and doesn't blow out very well.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Thanks DSW, you responded before I just sent you a PM. No, I didn't get the saw because I was too worried about destroying a blade. I am going to get one though, probably the Milwaukee. I borrowed an abrasive chop saw instead. And as I was driving home tonight, out of the blue I thought of trying the plasma. (I was gonna call you but I didn't know if you were busy tonight) I do have the interupted mode for expanded steel and I was thinking the same thing. I have some short pieces I can play with and try out before I man-handle the 20'ers. I just figured I would throw up a post here to get opinions, thanks."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by ccawgcMight work if you had a larger plasma. The PM600 max cut is around 1/2 inch. A large bolt/ rebar cutter might work faster than the PM 600. Now IF you had a 100 amp PM 1650, you could cut it real fast. But check and see if you can use heat to cut the rebar. Rebar is worked cold most of the time.
Reply:No problem. You've got my number if you need it. This term, Monday nights is the welding class at the tech school I'm helping out with and Tuesday night is my lathe class. I usually don't take my phone in with me, but I check the mesages as soon as I get done at 9pm. and can call back if needed. If i know someone's going to call I take it in with me. You caught me just as soon as I'd mixed up a batch of mud the other day and my hands were a mess and I had to keep going or the stuff would set up or I'd have talked when you 1st called..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:quick question,what about a gas powered quickee saw? Like one of the Stihl saws with a 14" chop saw blade. They don't bog dont like a chop saw and you can whack up a bundle at a time. That's what we use for just about any metal cutting like this that doesn't have to be dead nuts pecise.
Reply:I've done the clamping to the table and cut on expanded metal, worked great.But for cutting smaller stuff, say 3/8 round bar for 500 handles, I clamped my abrasive saw down and a stop and went to cutting. Just as andyA mentioned.Aaron
Reply:Stick-man , i cut up 200 this past friday and it went very well , i did as you asked. I put a stack at a time on the welding table ,layed them flat , used a guide for the cut and then went to cutting . It worked very well - i used a Hyper 45 with it set for expanded metal and worked like a dream. Good luck
Reply:I have a fairly cheap 14" abrasive cut off saw. did wonders on may rebar cut-a-thon last summer. I did it in the driveway, no table invovlved. you could use your garage as the bump-stop.I see a visit to Harbor Freight in your future
Reply:Stick-man,If I was doing this job with plasma, I'd lay a scrap piece of sheet metal on the rebar to be cut.  Sheet metal will maintain the arc and provide a smoother surface for the torch to ride on (if you're using the shielded consumables).Not sure how the PM 600 with do with the 5/8" rebar, but it wouldn't be a problem with my PM 1250.The carbide tipped dry cut saws are "Not Recommended" for cutting rebar.  Rebar, along with bed frames, etc., has an inconsistent grain structure that can wipe out the carbide teeth.  The manufacturer of my dry cut saw (Porter Cable) specifically recommends against cutting rebar.  Also recommend against cutting SS.  I know Evolution makes a carbide blade specifically for SS, but I've never tried one.  SS goes to the bandsaw, the porta-band, or the plasma (but then a degree of edge prep is required for welding).Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by Swamp ratStick-man , i cut up 200 this past friday and it went very well , i did as you asked. I put a stack at a time on the welding table ,layed them flat , used a guide for the cut and then went to cutting . It worked very well - i used a Hyper 45 with it set for expanded metal and worked like a dream. Good luck
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIStick-man,If I was doing this job with plasma, I'd lay a scrap piece of sheet metal on the rebar to be cut.  Sheet metal will maintain the arc and provide a smoother surface for the torch to ride on (if you're using the shielded consumables).Not sure how the PM 600 with do with the 5/8" rebar, but it wouldn't be a problem with my PM 1250.The carbide tipped dry cut saws are "Not Recommended" for cutting rebar.  Rebar, along with bed frames, etc., has an inconsistent grain structure that can wipe out the carbide teeth.  The manufacturer of my dry cut saw (Porter Cable) specifically recommends against cutting rebar.  Also recommend against cutting SS.  I know Evolution makes a carbide blade specifically for SS, but I've never tried one.  SS goes to the bandsaw, the porta-band, or the plasma (but then a degree of edge prep is required for welding).
Reply:Well, not to start a ruckus, but I cut a whole bunch of 1/8 x 1 1/2 angle with a plywood blade in a circular saw one time.. Was getting a few hundred cuts per blade. Didn't matter if the blade was in frontwards or backwards..
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manI need to make 1200 cuts on 5/8" rebar and 300 cuts on 1/2" rebar. They do not have to be precise, just close. I was thinking of trying to lay the rebar down on the table and my length hanging off and clamping a guide on top then cutting a bunch of pieces at once. Has anyone tried this before? How well did it work? As my signature says, I have a Hypertherm Powermax 600.
Reply:I tried the chop saw...... made one cut thru 3 pieces of 1/2"........NOT!I tried the plasma, and that went very well. However, my ironworker buddy came by and said to bundle  some up and use a gas saw. That's how they do it. Ok, I will try it. Her are the pics of the plasma. I will post the gas saw pics when I do them. BTW, the plasma did go thru the 1/2" pretty good. I think it might have been harder with the 5/8", obviously. I was all ready to look at the largest single phase Hypertherm, and sell my 600, then My buddy stopped by."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Gotta' ask...what're the short pieces of rebar for?"These instructions are at our present level ofknowledge. Legal requirements do not exist.Technical issues subject to change."_________________________________________Lincoln MIG PAK 180Lincoln AC-225
Reply:Try the Gas torch. I've cut a smaller bundle then they show below in this video I found. Thing has enough power to jump some air gapsLast edited by gott2besafe; 10-22-2011 at 06:25 AM.Reason: messed up link
Reply:Originally Posted by HardwareGotta' ask...what're the short pieces of rebar for?