Good tool for cutting metal?

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Ok, did some cutting with the grinder with a cutting wheel and it is SLOW! The sawsall got messed up from Ike, so I need to get another one. What is really good for cutting metal besides a torch or plasma? And what is good for sheet metal?ThanksLincoln Promig 180
Reply:I've used a circular saw on 1/4 aluminum and sheet metal quite a bit. They make some good blades specifically for these applications. They makes lots of noise, and try not to get it in a bind, kick back is hell! With a little experience they make some very good cuts.Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:get your self a good chop saw for about 120.00 cant go wrong fast and cheapmiller maxstar 150   hobart handler 210 w mig conversion hobart 250 arc force plasma cutter    boston ind cutting torch miller performance auto darkening helmet milwalkee 14in chop saw 10,000 watt generator huge drill press and industrial band saw
Reply:Yeah, I want to get one of those evolution rage chop saws.Lincoln Promig 180
Reply:For sheet metal, just get a corded/cordless shear.  I read one the other day that claimed 12" per second!  Says it will do up to 18 gauge
Reply:There's such a variety of tools for cutting metal.  I started with a grinder and a razor wheel way back when, then picked up a chop saw, then picked up a cutting rig.Between the three, you can do most anything (not everything, but close to it).The outlay is phenominal if you have to do it all at once.  Big bucks.  Over time it doesn't hurt TOO much, but it still hurts.  Once you buy it, you don't look back.  It's there, you use it, and you're grateful to have it.One way to look at it is to think what you spend going out on a Friday nite.  Maybe 8-20 for supper, depending on how fancy you get.  Maybe another 20-40 in the bar later on.  You're lookin' at SIXTY DOLLARS!!!!!!.  That can go a long way towards pickin' up some weldin' goodies.I couldn't tell you how much I've saved over the years by just staying home.I don't know how folks afford the stuff if they have other responsibilities.  It's rough.  I'm divorced with no kids, so I'm not having child support to worry about.Whatever you do, don't be tempted to buy cheap stuff.  It doesn't hold up, and causes a lot of disappointment down the road.  Better to wait a while, and buy good stuff.  It's what I've done, and I've been pretty happy.  It's taken me from the age of 16 to my 50's to accumulate the stuff I use.  And I really don't have fancy stuff."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Thanks guys. I got my swasall working again. So tomorrow it won't take me several minutes per cut to get through some angle iron. Lincoln Promig 180
Reply:It sounds like you might be using a "grinding" wheel on your angle griner.  Try one of the really thin cutting wheels.  They zip right through.I just picked up a reconditioned makita portable bandsaw. It's nice because it's quiet, doesn't throw sparks, and is much safer than abrasive wheels and less abusive to your hands than a sawsall.  You can't get it in nearly as many places as a sawsall or angle grinder though.If you need a new sawsall, I would highly recommend the Makita JR3070CT.  That thing is a beast and the speed control works well.------------------------------Lincoln 175HDLincoln AC/DC225Smith O/A
Reply:portaband(love my milwaukee)  beats sawzall (have a dewalt 18 volt and a porter cable corded, both very good)beats thin cut off wheel for safety, quality of cut, safety(grinders are dangerous)and economy(youy can eat up a $3 razor wheel real quick) and safety. but in faact yuou need all them and a cuttin torch because theres so many different situations ......and an eleectric can opener for some things..
Reply:I saw <--- no pun intended, where someone made a motorized hacksaw out of a ( I believe it was ) a washing machine motor. And it took some welding to do it, nothing better than making your own and getting some welding time as well.Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Personally id take our grinders with cutoff wheels over a sawzall anyday.  We use they often for all kinds of cuts in material sometimes up to 3/8 thick and it never takes a few min per cut.  Get some good thin cutoff wheels and you will be fine, if your cutting alot of stock I would look into a chop saw.We use cgw wheels, only .040 thick and they last pretty long. Cut like butter and dont get clogged up on aluminum. http://www.cgwheels.com/htmls/Thin-c...3120&bsp=13091Have we all gone mad?
Reply:I LOVE my OLD bandsaw.Right now I've only been cutting 1/8" thick square tubing with it, but it slices like butter.Hobart Handler 187Bainbridge bandsawMakita chop sawHarbor Freight 4.5" grinder
Reply:14" 15-amp, 4.8-hp dry-cut Milwaukee saw: $297 on ebay.  Freud Diablo Metal Devil blades: ~$30 on ebay.Not choking on clouds of cut-off-wheel smoke and dust: Priceless.
Reply:Here you go: