Hello Folks,

Looking for options on a metal cutter. I just do not want to rent (or
buy) acetylene cylinder and oxygen cylinders. I have a 14 inch chop
saw, but looking for something to cut patterns out of 1/16 up to 1/4
plate steel. I do like the Plasma cutting method, but they are over
$1000.00 bucks (with the build in compressor). Is there any other
options to look at?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

The plasma cutters have become the standard way to cut metal. Twenty
years ago, the Oxy-acetylene torch was the standard. The plasma cutter
leaves a better edge with less cleanup, and is easier to use (lower
skill). It is probably also lower cost per cut. I am still using
Oxy-Acetylene, but that is an issue of money, and I already have the OA rig.

If you are cutting repetitive patterns, you would be best off using
templates, of masonite or metal, allowing you to just trace the pattern
with the plasma torch. A blacksmith I know uses a pattern and apray
paint, and then she just cuts it out freehand, but this is artistic
work, not assemblies with exact (or semi-exact) dimensions.

The only other technology that comes to mind is water jet cutting, but
that costs a lot more than $1000. It does, however, do an excellent
job, on a wide range of materials.

I am assuming that your patterns have some curves and complex shapes.
If they are all straight lines, a shear could be used, but shears big
enough for 1/4" plate are costly.

All told, especially in the thickness range that you mention, plasma is
the way to go, with OA the second choice.

Richard


D&G wrote:

Hello Folks,

Looking for options on a metal cutter. I just do not want to rent (or
buy) acetylene cylinder and oxygen cylinders. I have a 14 inch chop
saw, but looking for something to cut patterns out of 1/16 up to 1/4
plate steel. I do like the Plasma cutting method, but they are over
$1000.00 bucks (with the build in compressor). Is there any other
options to look at?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

I agree with everything Richard Ferguson said. If you think oxyacetylene
equipment is too expensive, then all the other stuff is completely out of
the question. However, do you know that you don't have to buy the tanks.
Most vendors give you a month's free demurage with the purchase of a tank of
gas. If you are doing a lot of cutting, or if you can complete all the work
in a month, the tanks won't cost you anything.

If we are talking about just a very few pieces, and you have to do it on the
cheap, then band-sawing or sabre-sawing are tiresome, but viable options.

It is important for you to know that there is a learning curve with O/A
cutting. You won't just pick up a torch and start making pretty steel
valentines.

On Thu, 24 Jul 2003 23:57:15 GMT, Richard Ferguson
wrote:

Looking for options on a metal cutter. I just do not want to rent (or
buy) acetylene cylinder and oxygen cylinders. I have a 14 inch chop
saw, but looking for something to cut patterns out of 1/16 up to 1/4
plate steel. I do like the Plasma cutting method, but they are over
$1000.00 bucks (with the build in compressor). Is there any other
options to look at?

Depending on how big your patterns are, a jigsaw with a diamond blade
might be the ticket. You can get a decent jigsaw for about $200 or
less (e-Bay, flea markets, etc). The diamond blades are basically
small round diamond files and cut in any direction. The throat depth
of a cheap jigsaw (also sometimes called a scroll saw) is not likely
to be much over 16", and the table size is probably going to be a foot
or less in diameter. Cutting speed won't amaze you on steel either,
but it should work. If you get a bit of skill in handling the piece
you can cut intricate patterns very accurately...I've seen people cut
Lincol out of a penny on the one I have, and leave him smoking a
pipe...with smoke! :^) (mine's not a cheapie though).

If you want more power, a deeper throat or better cutting dynamics,
you can get more expensive saws, but by the time you get a really good
one you could buy a low end plasma cutter.

BTW - For thin softer metals (brass, copper, etc) you can just use a
wood cutting blade in a scroll saw. They will break more often and
wear out sooner than on wood, but for a few dollars a dozen, they are
expendable and they do work for thin stuff (mostly 1/8" or less, but
I've seen 3/8" brass cut that way).

-- Mike
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Would a compound rest from and atlas 10 inch lathe fit on an atlas 6
inch lathe, mine is the old style rest and would like to update to the
newer style.

If you can get a copy of "Model Eng. Workshop", July 2003, a UK pub. Read
the article "Improving the Conquest" (a lathe). Mr. A Sinclair suggest
doing away with the compound rest all together for the sake of more
stiffness, less chatter and better cutting off. The down side is when you
want to advance the threading tool at 29 deg. However, I designed a
threading tool holder that over comes this objection.
Don Warner