| Author | Message | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Registered Member Username: Chuck_newman Post Number: 291 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 76.246.254.144 Rating: N/A |
I will be cutting several holes for furnace, HWH, refer vents, air vents, etc.on my MCI 102. Most cuts will be on aluminum, but some on stainless. Some square corners, some radial corners. Most of which is about 10 to 14 gauge. I've used jig saws with metal blades, and Makita cutting discs on other projects. To be honest I've had a hard time with cutting discs in a job that needs to look neat and clean afterward. I've never used a plasma cutter but I've watched others. It looks so fast and effortless, and you (apparently)don't have to worry about bluing the stainless cuts, though most of my work will be on aluminum. I don't mind paying extra for the plasma route if it will give me better results with less stress (on me). Recommendations? Suggestions? Thanks. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 931 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.54.29.215 Rating: N/A |
I usually use a hole saw or drill bit to drill the 4 corners and then connect these holes using a cut-off wheel (4" grinder or air operated cut off wheel). By going slowly, I don't heat the metal enough to discolor it and end up with a nice opening with radiused corners (radiused corners are much less to develop cracks than square corners). I have also used my plasma cutter, but prefer the above method. Just my way, YMMV Jack | ||
| Tony Gojenola (Akbusnut)
Registered Member Username: Akbusnut Post Number: 31 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 208.98.151.220 Rating: N/A |
I used a router with a 1/4" straight bit to do this on my 4106. Of course I had to jury rig a guide and figure out how to attach it, but it worked fine for aluminum. Maybe not on SS. I'll try to attach a photo. tg  | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Registered Member Username: Chuck_newman Post Number: 292 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 76.246.254.144 Rating: N/A |
Jack, would the heat from the plasma torch cause the stainless to blue and harden at the cut point? Can you go into a little more detail why you prefer the drill and cutting wheel method. Thanks. | ||
| John Lacey (Junkman42)
Registered Member Username: Junkman42 Post Number: 65 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 66.82.9.59  Rating: N/A |
Chuck, I use a nibbler which requires You to drill a hole to stick the nose through. It does not heat the metal or does it leave filings or dust. It does leave little solid chips that are easy to vacum up. It is easy to cut radiuses and straight lines. I sometimes lay out a straight edge to follow on straight lines. You can buy a cheap import from any import tool company that will work for most home uses. John | ||
| Al Locke (Al4627)
Registered Member Username: Al4627 Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 71.48.173.61 Rating: N/A |
John, I have a similar issue. On a previous post I ask about trimming an edge on a stainless corrugated panel. I know what a nibbler does but was not sure how finished the edge would be. What has been your experience? Al al4627@yahoo.com | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 393 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.228.218  Rating: N/A |
I have worked stainless with my work and found if you use a angle grinder,use a straight edge, go sloooww,it will not blue much.However if it does,take steel wool. and you can use a scouring pad too, and lightly "sand" the blue out and then use finer paper and then finish the job with compound to your taste. I learnt this from a stainless mfg,and they used to mirror polish the stuff for bathrooms and such. They used a 3450 rpm drum hand held sander and it would flat do the job. Oh don't stay in one place long LOL gomer | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1310 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9  Rating: N/A |
You might consider a battery operated Sawzall for portability and extremely useful for you name it. Also consider:http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=113 This is pretty compact and the price is right; of course you will need an air supply. It will work in compact areas and small radius's. Stainless may require diamond powder coated blades. Aluminum doesn't like cutting well with cutoff blades or high speed abrasive items as it tends to melt and fill the abrasive tool pores. If you use files a lot on aluminum, they make a stick you rub on the file to keep the aluminum from plugging up the teeth. Same for die grinder bits, and use the coarse type of bit designed for alum. Also use a full face shield for die grinding as it produces fine slivers that can embed in the eyes. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 786 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 72.146.76.133  Rating: N/A |
I used a simple sabre saw fitted with a general purpose metal blade, and it cut through the stainless steel bathroom like it was tin. Couldn't drill though it, but it sure seemed to cut easy. FWIFW | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 278 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.125.9.161  Rating: N/A |
Chuck, a plasma torch will shower a lot of sparks and it leaves a irregular/rough edge. Maybe some of the new ones are better. Jack is giving good advice with the 4 holes and connect.With stainless remember to keep your speeds slow if you overheat the bit or blade its all over. | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Registered Member Username: Chuck_newman Post Number: 293 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 76.246.254.144 Rating: N/A |
Thank you all for the input. It looks like hole saw and saber saw should work, at least on the aluminum. And that's most of the cutting. Will definitely save a lot of money. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 932 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.54.29.215 Rating: N/A |
Chuck, I am not that experienced using my plasma cutter and get a smoother, straighter cut with the cut-off wheel using a straightedge. I found that SS eats sawzall and sabre saw blades quite quickly. I take my time and cut slowly stopping freqently to let the metal cool. Jack |