Need to cut long thin strips of steel (& plastic) – e.g. with an angle grinder?

[John Smith 47Participant @johnsmith47]

Posted by Stephen Cassidy on 26/01/2022 12:36:29:

Hi John

**LINK**

there are lots of ways to make one, I took tips from a few projects to make mine. I haven’t motorised the axis on mine just yet .

I'm not entirely sure how relevant it is but yes,
"Challenge to recycle Coca-Cola！/ Make a simple alcohol stove (soda can stove)"
is very zen/meditational. If one has a few minutes to spare… Good fun.

Thanks

J

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I used a 1mm disc to cut up some thin stainless, and didn't notice the very sharp burr left on the underside until I picked up the pieces. Local GP nearly had conniptions and sent me to A&E, blood everywhere. Moral, use stout gloves to pick up the bits and be careful

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by John Smith 47 on 25/01/2022 23:06:16:

Yes but – back to the question – how would you cut long thin straight lines through metal, using a device whose spinning wheel tugs you sideways when you make a cut?

Did you take a look at Mike Cox's design?

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Well Duncan, conniptions is a new word for me, everyday is a school day.

Mike

[John Smith 47Participant @johnsmith47]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 27/01/2022 22:09:12:

Posted by John Smith 47 on 25/01/2022 23:06:16:

Yes but – back to the question – how would you cut long thin straight lines through metal, using a device whose spinning wheel tugs you sideways when you make a cut?

Did you take a look at Mike Cox's design?

Truth to tell, I couldn't find Mike Cox's design, although I did look for it online.
But if involves building anything substantial, with welding etc that will be beyond both my workshop skill level and possibly my storage capacity for storing large cutting contraptions!

Meanwhile, although I have now completed quite a lot of hacksawing by hand instead and the immediate for cutting of steel sheet has now passed…

But FWIW, so far the idea I like best is that of using:
– A small(ish) angle grinder (that cuts in line with ones hand rather than pulling the device sideways in one hand),
– A clamped straight edge,
– Cutting over the edge of a bench if that works
– But being able to set the depth of the angle grinder so that it only does a shallow cut (as this would attempt to pull rather than bend thin sheets
– for longer cuts I would need to find a way to support the cut materials, probably using some kind of sacrificial wood or board.
– If it came with some sort tooth (i.e. riving knife or splitter) to fit into the cut trench that would be a bonus.

But thank you everyone for all your suggestions thus far.

I shall revisit this thread when my next requirement for cutting long strips of c. 1mm thick steel sheet looms…

J

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by John Smith 47 on 28/01/2022 13:00:26:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 27/01/2022 22:09:12:

Posted by John Smith 47 on 25/01/2022 23:06:16:

Yes but – back to the question – how would you cut long thin straight lines through metal, using a device whose spinning wheel tugs you sideways when you make a cut?

Did you take a look at Mike Cox's design?

Truth to tell, I couldn't find Mike Cox's design, although I did look for it online.
[…]

It is published in Model Engineers’ Workshop magazine

Current issue MEW 312 … as noted earlier in this thread.

MichaelG.

[John Doe 2Participant @johndoe2]

John, what about using one of those "handheld" bandsaws? – with a horizontal blade like a mini machine hacksaw.

If you fabricated a suitable clamp fixed to the bandsaw bed to hold each strip securely along its length, then the saw blade would accurately cut along the strip instead of across it, so distortion and burring would be minimal, and easily honed off.

You could make a production line with a length of your sheet with a width the same as the length of the strips you require and feed the sheet through your clamp up to the horizontal bandsaw blade and make alternate 45° and 90° cuts with the bandsaw to end up with the thin strips you need.

 

PS, Will we all get royalties for your invention when you put it into production ?

Edited By John Doe 2 on 28/01/2022 15:31:27

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Based on just having done some neat cuts of 2mm acrylic sheet, one of those oscillatory multi tools with the semi circular saw blade, guide along a fence. Mine is a Bosch PMF2000CE

Edited By John Haine on 29/01/2022 11:23:35

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