Flexible cutting options in a small package.?

admin

Hey guys. I've got to get something going soon for metal cutting around here. One of my biggest issues I have here is SPACE, or the lack thereof. Doesn't take long to fill up a 10'x12' shop. No matter how "creative" ya get with the arrangement. So I'm outdoors a lot.Anyways, got "weldered up" and am starting to scrounge scrap to practice on which comes in lots of different configurations and I gotta do some cutting. Light fab, mostly tube and plate 'loominum but occasional steel and very rarely over .250". I've got the usual sawzalls, angle grinders, fixed chopsaw and other such implements of destruction. Been using a friend's compound miter saw for cutting the thin walled 'loominum tubing I fool with around here. Works great and really helps cutting angles. Could the same be done for steel with a different blade.? And if so, suggestions.?If you remember, a while back I posted a thread Plasma vs Bandsaw. Seems most of you thought there were more useful tools available for the ~$1000ish it would prolly take for a respectable Plasma. So if ya had a little extra cash around and needed the most flexible cutting bang-for-the-buck inna small package what would it be.?Thanks..    d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Schneeky,Buddy of mine does strictly aluminum.  Towers, T-Tops, Leaning Posts, etc.All he uses is a Delta vertical bandsaw.  It's the metal cut version with a slower speed than the woodcutting bandsaw.That, combined with a Milwaukee 8" Metal Cut Saw (for plate) is all he uses.You'll find that a hand held plasma cutter and aluminum are not the greatest of setups.  Too much post cut cleanup to deal with.  I almost never use plasma for aluminum.Evolution makes a series of chop saws and metal cut saws, that, with the correct blades will do a fine job for you.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:I'd look for a little cold saw on a wheeled cart.  Them suckers are heavy!I have a haberle which weights in at about 5-600 lbs with cart.  Picked it up used for $280 with cart.  Needed a good cleaning.Another thing you might consider is a dewalt or milwaukee portaband with a swag-off-road vertical kit and the mitre saw kit, with a cheap mitre gauge.  You could get set up new with all that for under $500 and it would easily do aluminum and steel.I have the dewalt DW28770k and love it.  The dewalt "heavy duty" portaband blades make a BIG difference.
Reply:SD- All Tim has in his shop is the Delta VBS, a miter saw, sander and bender. That's pretty much it. And he's doing some mighty fine work. Every time I see a plasma cutter I get a chubby over it. But when I think of the more versatile things I can get now with that same money that little swelling goes down.I'm diggin that Evolution Rage3DB. Looks like a really schweet tool. Checked out that Milwaukee metal saw, too. Might be just the ticket for that occasional plate work w/o takin up half the shop.. ..Outside of the obtrusivness of it in my tiny little shop, I really want a VBS. But all I ever seem to find are woodworking versions.. Bassboy showed me some neat tricks to rig on of those for metal. If I can't find somethin soon I'm gonna hasta employ those suggestions.. In my old shop the VBS was only "outusefulled" by the knee mill. And that was a close call. Green- That's a very nice lookin piece'o'gear. At that weight it may make it a bit difficult to toss it under the worbench, tho'.!!  I gotta be able to stash it away when it ain't in use. A bigger shop would be real nice..   d:^)  Schneeks.. Thanks, fellas..     d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ