How to cut bar grating?

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I'd like some suggestions on how to cut bar grating.  The material is 1 1/4" tall x 3/16".  It is in 3' x 20' sections.  I need to make (6) 36" x 18" pieces.  I have a o/a set, grinders, and a circular saw.  I have a chop saw, but I don't see how it would be helpful.  Is this even something I should bother with?  Or order it cut to size?ThanksThermal Arc 211i FabricatorAutoArc 130Lincoln AC 225O/A setAssorted hand tools and implements of destruction
Reply:A metal cutting circular saw is a good method.
Reply:I've cut it with an O/A torch in the past as well as plasma. The "easy" way is to make 2 cuts  about an inch or so apart and waste the piece in the middle. However it's possible to simply cut it vertical from the top in a straight line if you use a big enough tip and the right settings. Start the cut on an edge and then rock the torch vertical and cut all the way thru.Personally for straight cuts I'd use my 14" gas saw and abrasive blades. 2nd choice would be my old solid metal 7 1/4" B&D circular saw or worm drive and abrasive blades. With the smaller blades, you'll have more "waste" when you can't cut deep enough in one pass any more. I'd still run the blade to zero and then cut what's left with the new blade.  Not sure how well a carbide steel cutting blade would do with all the interrupted cuts. They are a bit pricy to gamble with, but you might come out ahead in the long run by using less blades if it works.I've done curved sections with a grinder in a pinch using the "waste" method above, but it's probably not cost effective..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:A metal cutting circular saw is a good method.
Reply:Not hard to cut with an oxy acetylene setup but dont bother, order cut to size.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Torch it. 1-1/4"x3/16" is pretty dang stoutWelding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:As mentioned already - set it on 2x4's and cut with a metal circular saw. Grating is easy to cut , clamp something as a straight edge on top and cut away. No reason to waste money having it pre-cut.
Reply:Ok, I have a regular old 7 1/2" circular saw.  Do I use abrasive blades?  Or is there something better?Thermal Arc 211i FabricatorAutoArc 130Lincoln AC 225O/A setAssorted hand tools and implements of destruction
Reply:Abrasive blades will get expensive as they won't last long enough, you're going to be cutting 1 1/4" depth remember. With a 7 1/4" dia blade you can probably only cut 2 1/2" or so. I've never used metal cutting blades on a regular circular saw but if you do go that route make sure they're rated for the proper rpm. The saw I use is a dedicated metal saw http://tinyurl.com/88dac65 , it turns a lot slower than a conventional circular saw 2700rpm.....Mike
Reply:We do it all the time,,torch it,, get your straight line, hold the torch absolutely verticleand even with a small tip it will make clean cut,,usually after we cut we cap the end with bar stock the same thickness/width but sometimes it just has to look good cut,,get good with a torch and it will look saw cut,,or dern near it
Reply:Originally Posted by SethBI'd like some suggestions on how to cut bar grating.  The material is 1 1/4" tall x 3/16".  It is in 3' x 20' sections.  I need to make (6) 36" x 18" pieces.  I have a o/a set, grinders, and a circular saw.  I have a chop saw, but I don't see how it would be helpful.  Is this even something I should bother with?  Or order it cut to size?Thanks
Reply:Thanks for all the suggestions.  If I can't get it cut to order, I'll try the torch.  I'll have to weld flat stock to the cut edges anyway.  I have a 16' trailer I can haul it on.  I'll let y'all know how it turns out.Thermal Arc 211i FabricatorAutoArc 130Lincoln AC 225O/A setAssorted hand tools and implements of destruction