Anything welding

Since a few of you are young you might not have heard these before .

A good welder makes the worst fitter look good

A good fitter can makes the worst welder look good.

It seems from what I see the younger people in this field that are worth hiring are few and far between

There will be a huge demand in the next few years as more of us are having our bodies wear out

 

agree 100000%.

 

I'm thinking about picking one of these up. I know they're cheap entry level saws, so I'm not expecting too much. Anyone have experience w either?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Evolution-Power-Tools-10-Amp-7-1-4-in-Multi-Purpose-Cutting-Circular-Saw-RAGEB/203661788?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|google|&mid=s1C4Zwpqw|dm_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_195274179091_pkw__pmt__product_203661788_slid_&gclid=CjwKCAjwsqjKBRBtEiwAkWyN38haQbvYe66HWgPbhzpacAtEvdz1HBOlZJtDT8uDhr1cFtytu29_URoC7ysQAvD_BwE

Or

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Genesis-4-3-4-in-Control-Grip-Compact-Metal-Cutting-Saw-GMCS547C/300955921?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|google|&mid=s1C4Zwpqw|dm_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_195274179091_pkw__pmt__product_300955921_slid_&gclid=CjwKCAjwsqjKBRBtEiwAkWyN364uurdkyir9pVhDssQ5Xrt-Jhq_412K5UckbJQ7tr-RJtMreBhqthoCAcgQAvD_BwE

I have some 10 gauge steel that I'm gonna cut up into a BBQ smoker and think the circular saw might give better and straighter cuts than me with an angle grinder and cut off wheel

 

I've used them. They work quite well for what they are. Just don't expect the blade to last that long. For the average hobby welder, the blade should last a long time. For someone who does an above average amount of fabrication, they would not be cost effective.

I don't like them for the only fact that they are EXTREMELY loud! Don't expect to use one at 3 in the morning and think you won't wake anyone up.

The metal chips are HOT, but that really isn't an issue, since you should be wearing proper protective clothing.

I still stand behind my suggestion that a portable band saw is a best all around metal cutting tool.

Edit: Didn't see that you needed to cut sheet steel. That saw will work very good for that, just wear earplugs.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

I read the reviews on Amazon and Home Depot. One review had some pics of the cuts made with the multi purpose blade (jagged edges) and one with a metal specific blade ( cuts were much nicer).

Any other inexpensive saws that you know of? They're mostly $300+

 

I consider every job I do. If That job requires a specialized tool, is there a chance I can make the purchase worth it with future jobs? If not, I just pay someone to make the cut I need.

Have you considered just having a fab shop cut your sheet steel with their shear? $20 to pay someone to do something that you will only do once is not poorly spent money.

 

I'd personally skip buying a saw. Just use your angle grinder with a "guide" and you will get cuts that are plenty straight enough to weld together.

I just layout what i need with thin tipped sharpie, then use either a 1.5"x.5" angle or just a piece of flatbar (if using flatbar i would use something >3/16" personally). Clamp it along your cut line and you have a guide for your cut. Once you've done it a couple times youll be cutting just barely off your guide and be getting straight cuts.

Heres a video that might make more sense lol (also the first one i found so not the best)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh4-jbbaIXI

 

In your case I would just get your pieces sheared .

Save the money and put it towards a Porta band

I would use a 4" grinder to cut sheet metal over one of those loud Circular Saws
then I have a 8' table to clamp things to. In fact I will use the grinder before the Plasma unit

 

I thought about having it sheared, but some places didn't have machines to do that, and some never called me back. So when I finally got someone to actually sell me some steel, I just said f it, I'll do it at home.

One company wanted $100 to make a few cuts plus some round ends. That seemed a little steep.

Let me check out this angle grinder using a guide. Sounds like a good route for me.

 

Oops I see where you live say no more !!

My price might be a little off but I could buy a 48"x96" sheet of 1/8" have it sheared into 8" strips the 8" pieces bent to 3"x5" L for a lot less then $100.00

It is just the market where you live.

Just be real careful and let the wheel make the cut just guide very slight pressure

Don`t use low end cut off wheels

 

Any brand cut off wheels that you recommend?

 

I have used Metabo Sait and the Air Gas House Brand Radnor all with good luck

I think I might have even bought some from Lehigh Valley Abrasives before they moved to Michigan

Just take your time and be careful if your uncomfortable find another way.

 

It feels sooooooo good to be laying beads again. I finally got my welder setup. Quickly threw together a cart and started working on my driveway gate. My welds look nasty but a little practice and my technique will come back.

 

So far so good with 220v.

I'll find out how well the 115v works tomorrow when I weld on the gate hinges at the end of my driveway.

 

One thing I have learned over the year don`t go cheap on Casters.

Things that don`t roll easy get real frustrating because I tend to move so many things in the course of a week

 

Can't wait to see pics of the gate in its final home...

 

I agree with you on casters. But in my case the casters we're free and they look like it will roll good

 

I was planning on installing it this morning but it is now raining like crazy.

 

Finally got a break in the rain and got the gate mounted. Now it's time for dinner.

 

Thanks. It's almost done. I finished the left side with wood pickets and tomorrow after church I will finish up the right side with a section of rod iron fence.

I still need to order the actuator to open/close the gate automatically.