Cutting steel

I have some 4mm plate steel I’ve been cutting up for various projects. Best solution so far is a 12″ hacksaw, metal blade and a lot of sweating (ladies: steady!). For some reason the (decent, branded) jigsaw blades I’ve bought either blunt very quickly or break.

Any ideas to make to a bit easier?

grinder.

Laser Cut

Water jet

Plasma

😡 🙄 😛

Are you using any cutting fluid with the jigsaw?
I think the blades are probably overheating and softening. You need a way of cooling the operation. Can you take it to a metal shop?

Surely that sort of graft is a bit mental when you can get a grinder really cheap? Then you’ve got it for all sorts of other stuff.

Surely that sort of graft is a bit mental when you can get a grinder really cheap? Then you’ve got it for all sorts of other stuff.

Get a grinder with a grinding disc, a cutting disc and a sanding disc. Never need to use a file or a hacksaw again..

4mm sounds a bit thick for a jigsaw imo.

Assuming it’s for fiddly little stuff….. how ’bout a dremel type thingy with cutting discs? That’ll let you cut small parts/intricate bits. A normal sized angle grinder can be a bit unwieldy if you’re working something a bit detailed.

And mind your eyes!

Hmmm I didn’t know you could get them so small and cheap.

Cheers guys.

*grinds*

EDIT: it’s prob not fiddly enough for a dremel – they cost loads anyhoo don’t they?

LOLs at the grindr link getting complained about and deleted.

You need to be able to slow the jigsaw down a bit if it gives you the option and keep things oily, 4mm should be no bother for a jigsaw, however if its a cheap jigsaw that’ll only go fast then a new jigsaw (including the very good ‘Site’ one that screwfix currently has on clearance) or an angle grinder will work out cheaper than the wasted blades

angle grinder and a cutting disc.

do watch where the sparks go tho, make a right mess of windows or cars or easily set light to soft furnishings

i use an angle grinder for 4mm.

only issue is noise. – not an issue for me but the neighbours 😀

Dremel clones are cheap if you don’t buy ‘Dremel’… A 6″ grinder is buttons tho…

<edit> plenty heat tho, enough to melt epoxy 🙂

trail_rat – Member
i use an angle grinder for 4mm.

only issue is noise. – not an issue for me but the neighbours

Mine’s deaf and used to the compressor anyway 😛

4.5″ grinder FTW, £30 sems to get a decent one at screwfix

thats plenty for a hobby.

my old boss used to buy similar for the workshop and we used to drag 6mths to a year out of one. Only real issue with the cheap ones was you couldnt get replacement bushs for the motors, or sometimes the power switch would be wonky.

The dearer ones do have replaceable brushes, tool-free guards and are 30% lighter, but it’s not going to see much use.

probably better these days but the tool free guards were shite, unless you like the guard moving about while you are working

We use 115 x 0.8 x 22 where I work and they are very good for cutting thinner steel. You need to be careful with them though as they can break up easily. As long as you apply gentle pressure they’ll be fine.

*picks fingers up off carpet and order carpet shampoo*

OP’s original question/problem is related to the cutting speed.

Basically metals of all flavours have a preferred/most efficient cutting speed. Wander outside of this range, as I suspect you have with the jigsaw, and it becomes more difficult to cut. Plenty of cutting fluid/lubricant and slowing down the oscillating speed of the blade will improve things.

It’s not always about buying some new kit 😆

It’s not always about buying some new kit

Go and sit on the naughty step until you know what you have done wrong!

🙂

I agree with JAG.

And as for,

Get a grinder with a grinding disc, a cutting disc and a sanding disc. Never need to use a file or a hacksaw again..

There’s a lot to be said for a file, hacksaw and good sharp cold chisel but they need a craftsman to use them properly 🙄

4mm? Pah – just get one of Trouties lights and focus it through a magnifying glass!

Cranberry – 😛

There’s a lot to be said for a file, hacksaw and good sharp cold chisel but they need a craftsman to use them

My sentiments exactly 🙄

Also, if you can, get 1mm cutting discs – the normal metal cutting discs take forever to cut thick metal, the 1mm ones go through stuff like it’s butter (but do require care as they can shatter if you twist them or let the metal grab).

You could slow down the cutting and use a cutting fluid but it’ll still take bloody forever.

Stick to your 12″ hack saw, and a big tin of elbow grease 8)

Dibbs – Member
There’s a lot to be said for a file, hacksaw and good sharp cold chisel but they need a craftsman bodybuilder to use them properly cut through any proper metal

FTFY