cutting 8mm steel plate

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

Hi all,

a bit long winded but here goes, has anyone seen or used an

Evolution, EVO 230/1, 230mm, 110volt… metal cutting circular saw ?………

Have watched the video's but it's not real life experience and I don't want to chance spending £200 on a whim……

I have to build my new workshop (steel framed barn) and need to make the gusset plates for the "I" beams…….

There's no problem getting 8x4x8mm steel plate delivered to site but the location makes it impossible to get these same gussets sheared cut, rough cut with an oxy torch is available but it'll take forever to clean up and I havn't seen the firms cutting quality…(I don't want a plasma cutter, more complications)…..can't take the chance, grinding all those edges cwon't be fun as I'll be working outside off the back of a farm trailer, in 30 degrees of heat……so, the above saw sounds like it'll do the job….

the plates to be cut are triangular, 8' long and 18" deep at the thick end, down to a point…….16 plates in total……as for cutting the I beams and other plates etc I have a 12" metal cutting band saw (with coolant)…….

any ideas,

the saw and spare blade will be bought in the UK and I'll take it with me…..

cheers, Clogs……

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

[Graham SwalesParticipant @grahamswales]

In my previous employment we had a number which were used on a regular basis to shorten commercial vehicle chassis. Material thickness varied between 6mm up to a maximum of 16mm. Using the saw for the first time was an act of faith as it feels unnatural heading for a lump of steel with a circular saw…….. very impressive results however! Incredibly quick cutting, no burning or burring and if you treat the blade with some care long lasting. There is a small collecting box for the chips and this needs to be emptied frequently but does collect most of the debris.

The saws were also used for cutting steel plates ( up to 12mm thick – cut lengths up to 48" and again with a guide fixed in place the saw literally cuts through like butter. Imagine using a 9" circular saw through 22mm chipboard and that is the speed of cutting through the steel.

There are various blades available for carbon and stainless steel and both can be resharpened if you have a local circular saw re-furbisher / sharpener. No connection with the company at all. Justa satisfied (production engineer) buyer and user who slashed cutting times. If I had a need in my current place of employment for cutting plates that our guillotine couldn't handle I would have no hesitation in purchasing an Evolution saw again.

Hope this helps to assure you that the kit will do the job you require.

Grum

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Have seen demo's of evolution type saw in the local major DIY store cutting through wood & nails plus aluminium tubing etc & they seem capable of doing what you need, but I wouldn't like to comment further on 8mm plate…hmmm
​ . Do you know anyone who has something similar near you for a try out? … had a look at your albums, some nice pics but got neck ache looking sideways, possibly rotate pics in pc folder prior to putting in album

George.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

"eats 40 dollar blades like taco chips" says one review on amazon

I've only done one flat plate, a half incher, and cut a square hole about 8 inches into it

I used a hand held circular saw like a black and decker and fitted those 1mm cutting disks into it, this gave me a lot of control over the job and the blades cost buttons, you can get 50 for twenty quid on a well known site

The circular saw was for wood, so the blade didn't really go fast enough, but it was miles easier and safer than using a freehand angle grinder

Edited By Ady1 on 05/04/2017 19:13:04

[Roger Williams 2Participant @rogerwilliams2]

Hello Clogs, I have one of the Evolution circular saws, same as Myford Boy in one of his videos, and have cut quite a few 3ft lengths of 3/8 inch steel plate with ease. Mine is 240v, but I wouldnt have thought it would make much difference with either voltage. Cheers.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

There ARE fast handheld circular saws around, YYAAOSwax5YqNd1″>this one does 8000 rpm

Those 1mm blades fairly slice through the metal once you get a rhythm going

[colin vercoeParticipant @colinvercoe57719]

Hi clogs you could use an angle grinder either 4.5" or 9" with steel cutting discs very cheap for the discs. As a company we use this method for most site work pipe cutting and plate etc, The 4.5" easy to control and cuts very well discs about 50p each.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

You don't tell us where you are, but if I wanted a load of gussets I'd go and see my plasma profile cutting man. With their nesting programs they seem to be able to supply the shapes cheaper than most people can buy the plate, and they don't need much cleaning up if any.

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

I'm with Duncan all be it 8mm can be laser or water jet cut as well as plasma or even machine flame cut.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

plasma is a lot, lot cheaper than laser or water, just not as accurate, but for gussets who cares?

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

What we really need is an adaptor which turns an angle grinder into a circular saw for steel

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by Ady1 on 06/04/2017 00:35:09:

What we really need is an adaptor which turns an angle grinder into a circular saw for steel

Quite a few 9" grinders can have a fence fitted to the guard, really ment to control the depth when chasing but also takes the weight of the machine when cutting flat.

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

Thank's guy's,

angle grinders are def not the way to go with this job….too much mileage…..as for location, well not quite the third world but well into the boonies….not even sure I can get 3phase at the moment….probably off grid to start,

ooooh what luxuries 3ph…….hahaha…..

yep, laser cuts or even plasma would do but not easily available…….for instance, (have asked already) anything like that would needed to be ordered and then it'd take an 11hr ferry ride just to get to the island……..in places like this, only a full size pattern could u be sure they'd be the correct shape …..besides after all this worry, doing it youself makes the Evo saw a no brainer…..

Thanks, have just ordered the Evo saw and spare blade….

Clogs

[ZebethyalParticipant @zebethyal]

Posted by Ady1 on 06/04/2017 00:35:09:

What we really need is an adaptor which turns an angle grinder into a circular saw for steel

There are stands that turn the smaller angle grinders into a mini chop saw for around £20.00, I bought mine from Aldi a few years back, but they are available from other sources, this picture shows it cutting 8mm studding and 8mm stainless round bar for a 3D printer.

I have an Evolution Rage2 that I picked up on the bay for £60.00 second hand, still with plenty of life left in it, I last used this to remove about 1.5-2mm from the end of a 20x80mm aluminium extrusion, for my laser cutter, that was ever so slightly too long – perfectly square cut and hardly any burrs, I would not even consider trying this on my bandsaw.

For cutting holes in stuff, depending on thickness of material and the shape I am trying to cut , I picked up a second hand Miller Spectrum 300 plasma cuttter for £200.00 at an auto jumble – no-one else seemed to know what it was. Alternatively I can use my 9" or 5" angle grinders freehand, then I have a 3" air cut-off saw, that cost about £20.00 at some car show, a pack of disks for this are about £7.00 for 25, or if you want to go really small, then I have a Dremel.

Mike Cox also references a mini 110mm Rage style saw for about £30.00 from Aldi that he has used to cut 8mm sheet steel.

Plenty of options for the OP to consider.

Edited By Zebethyal on 06/04/2017 08:43:30

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