[tech69]

For speed I usually like the angle grinder with a cut off wheel, a 3" cut off wheel, and a mini air saw. They all work good but is there anything fast as the angle grinder and as accurate and something I can use to cut scrap metal not on the car? A sawzaw is too rough. Never tried air shears but on video they look like they might be the tool I'm after. They seem to make wide cuts which might make it hard to cut accurately and for tracing patches but for cutting out quarters they seem cool. Anyhow, any suggestions appreciated as I'm sick of using cutt off wheels.

[deadbodyman]

the air sheers are a great tool for making straight cuts in NEW metal ,rust will dull the blades fast ,I have an IR that I bought at Lowes a few yrs ago that are stll cutting fantastic.
for removing 1/4s super fast a good air chisle with a 3 prong panel ripper is nice but do a ruff cut first and sneak up to the presion cut with Good snips I usually have a few pairs one set is just for old rusted panels I have another set that is only for new rust free steel..
then theres the nibblers ,those little half moon punch outs are kinda messy.
It all depends on your budget really and how often you need to cut, for long rips you cant beat a stomp shear and for older metal still on the car a plasma cutter is great ,mabee a little TOO fast you can cut something out before you realize you should leave it in.I love my sawzall for floors etc...
Sounds like your getting into the fun stuff....

[35WINDOW]

DBM has brought up most of the popular ways to cut Metal (and I use all of the ones he suggested), but I also have one of these, and they are fast, leave few burrs and can cut the thick stuff-

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-6370.../dp/B0000WUQI4

[John long]

My favorite is a 4 1/2 inch cut off disc on the same size angle grinder. Will cut anything and do it quickly. It will usually cut a frame rail off with one disc if you are doing a subframe clip. Will go through sheet metal like butter. Would love to have a plasma cutter that is but not on the horizon.

John L

[MARTINSR]

I'm not certain what you want it for, but I have one of these.




http://www.fournierenterprises.com/c...roductid=17053

I put it in the vice and it will do a damn nice job cutting long cuts without much distortion it any at all.

That and offset tin snips are my favorites.



What exactly do you need it for?

Brian

[tech69]

Originally Posted by deadbodyman

the air sheers are a great tool for making straight cuts in NEW metal ,rust will dull the blades fast ,I have an IR that I bought at Lowes a few yrs ago that are stll cutting fantastic.
for removing 1/4s super fast a good air chisle with a 3 prong panel ripper is nice but do a ruff cut first and sneak up to the presion cut with Good snips I usually have a few pairs one set is just for old rusted panels I have another set that is only for new rust free steel..
then theres the nibblers ,those little half moon punch outs are kinda messy.
It all depends on your budget really and how often you need to cut, for long rips you cant beat a stomp shear and for older metal still on the car a plasma cutter is great ,mabee a little TOO fast you can cut something out before you realize you should leave it in.I love my sawzall for floors etc...
Sounds like your getting into the fun stuff....

Yeah, I use an air hammer now but I'd like to start incorporating a "safe" final cut up top for quarter skins on the first cut. What I mean by "safe" is one that "could" be the final one but one that could be changed if something goes wrong. The sheers sound great but I guess I'm asking for too much. For some reason I'm thinking of something fast for long cuts but also precise for making patches. That kind of perfection probably comes from multiple tools, not just one. Thanks for the advice. As for now, I've been using an angle grinder with a 4.5" discs but maybe I still haven't discovered a good disc to use and am always needing new ones, and the thing about it is that when we run out our boss takes forever to replace materials, and it's annoying! I'll check out the shears. Thanks guys!

[MARTINSR]

Ahhh for that particular cut, the offset tin snips are my tool of choice. Nice new quality snips (Wess) you can cut off a 32nd of an inch if you like, very precise cutting can be made.

Rough cut with anything you like, an air chisel even, you are only cutting away junk. I have a real nice Wess electric shear but have only used it a time or two for some reason.

Brian

[cyclopsblown34]

One of my friends brought over his electric shears last fall, I think they were Milwaukee brand. I loved the way they cut so cleanly and quickly with probably an 8" radius for a smooth round corner. Prior to that, I'd always used Vise Grip shears, they seem sturdier than the Wyss I learned with years ago and still have. Nibblers seem to work best on flat material.

[35WINDOW]

I have two sets of Kett Shears (one the best IMO), and I use them all the time-the problem I have had in the past with the Shears was that they would mar both sides of the cut-this last weekend I had to cut up my finished Firewall ( ) and make a notch-I used 18 gauge CRS, and then used the blue Painter's Tape on both sides of the cut-it worked, and didn't scratch it up-

the problem with the Shears is that it's difficult to do corners-I will break out the Air Hacksaw, 3" cut-off wheel, Nibbler or Plasma Cutter for those-

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

I used to use pretty all the above tools for sheet metal. That was untill about 15 years ago. I had a big production job to do. I bought a Plasma cutter..

Now most of the sheet metal cutting tools rest in the drawer. Plasma cutter can do most of their functions. Cheap, fast, clean.

My old Daytona Mig unit was getting tired. So I took a chance about three years ago, bought a Chineese (I know, bad word) Cut 50. On Ebay, delivered, for less than $200.00. The thing is just amazing. Consumable parts are more than reasonable and available. The guys at the shop love it!

Paid for itself in the first month and if it ever dies. I'll probably replace it with another similar unit..

[evolvo]

Walter makes the best zip wheel IMO. Here's a link to some info. Watch the demo vid, pretty cool!!

http://www.walter.com/Walter/US/en/New-Products