Cutting Steel Question??
 

What are people finding as the best/cost effective way to but the chassis steel. I can't find a blade for my dewalt chop saw and can't see myself doing it accurately with a hand saw or angle grinder.

to be honest with a little practice, a hacksaw will be the most acurate tool, its bloody hard work though. A metal cutting bandsaw is probably best like this one http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...al-cutting-ban. These are great but never rely on the angle guage on the machine, always use a good quality protractor to set it up for each cut.(il have to give the credit for that tip to handyandy!)

I found the compound angles easiest to cut with a hacksaw because my mitre saw was too fidlly to set up. I drew all the cuts around the box section then put it in a vice so the cut lines were vertical and did it steady away

hope this helps

I used a Rage 3 chop saw.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...ding-mitre-saw

http://www.screwfix.com/p/evolution-...saw-230v/29848

Terry

If your determined to cut it your self I'd advise not to use a timber chop saw to cut steel even though steel blades are sold for them. It will hack at it and deform the side walls of the material apart from the obvious fact that high speed spinning blades shatter if you try to cut it too hard. I know people on here have used Rage saws but to my mind they are taking a hell of a risk with all their soft fleshy bits. I would spend a few quid on a second hand band saw and buy a new blade for it. They are quiet cut clean and easily adjustable for angles. Every thing else can be done with a good quality hack saw and perminant fine tip marker. At the end of the build sell the band saw and get your money back,just my thoughts as there is no point in hurting your self trying to save a couple of quid.

i'm buying mine throuh work as i don't have to pay delivery and cutting roughly to length then to do the angles im using this with a metal blade:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand...10/sd70/p76675

Ohhh .... A little birdy has told me I am getting one of those for my Birthday later this month :)

I have a bandsaw & it works a treat.

That said, I cut all of my angles with the humble hacksaw, being a silly old fool I just couldn't be assed to keep altering the cut angle on the bandsaw & found it just as quick to do it by hand.

yes it was jolly hard work but accurate once you get the knack & a quick fettle with a file or a rub with a flap disc in the grinder, jobs a good un :)

Depends on what tools you have available or the level of investment you want to put into new tools.
Seems a real pitty to buy expensive tool for a one off job.

Get your build table sorted & cut the steel as you go, that way you will not find cutting the steel by hand such a chore.

Just imagine how pleased you will be with yourself once you are done building the chassis :cool: :)

Thanks guys, great advise and confidence giving too. Thank you. I have a very good vice, I'll buy a larger hacksaw ( I only own a little one) and look out for a second hand band saw. Thanks again.

Just make sure that you buy a few good quality bi-metal hacksaw blades such as Sandvick/Bahco or the likes, they will last for ages & will cut well.

It's also worthwhile investing in a small spirit level to help you clamp the piece being cut nice & level in the vice.
It will greatly reduce the tendancy for a hacksaw cut to run off line. ;)

I have only got a little one but never had any complaints :D :D :o

If you have a compressor buy an air hacksaw,makes short work of 25x25 box section and not too messy and cheap too.

Have cut all mine with a Rage3 chopsaw, just make sure you clamp the material securley and it is perfectly safe, oh and dont feed it in too quickly. Its' a great piece of kit

Arfon