Tools for Cutting Through Thick Steel

Archer Here

Archer Here

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Messages
1,323
Hi Friends,
I'm currently working on a custom sword for a man in Germany and the guard is very thick and with several different angles. I'm spending a lot of time grinding and cutting to get down to the shape that I need out of one large block of steal and it's taking a long time. It looks good, it's just not very cost efficient.

Does anybody have any suggestions on tools, equipment, etc, that would speed this process up of cutting through thick steel (1 1/2 " thick) at different angles. Right now I'm using an angle grinder with cut off wheel and grinding wheel. Like I said, it turns out nice. It just takes a long time.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Chris
 
I put a 8" cutting wheel on my bench grinder and it cuts like magic, They are thicker than for a angle grinder. They make 12" for chop saws as well. You can also mount a 10 and maybe 12" on a table saw.
 
Plasma torch?

1000_action_2.jpg
 
greatlakeswaterjet said:
I have no idea what would cut something that thick :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I figured he wanted something that he could do by himself, not send away for.

Still. :)

Wikipedia said:
Water jet cuts are not typically limited by the thickness of the material, and are capable of cutting materials over eighteen inches (45 cm) thick. The penetrating power of these tools has led to the exploration of their use as anti-tank weapons but, due to their short range and the advent of composite armour, research was discontinued.
Click to expand...
 
Yea, I know. I'm just kiddin'. I've used my angle grinder with some good wheels. Takes forever, but works. I have a plasma cutter, but haven't used it in 3 years. I'm better with a torch. :eek:
 
greatlakeswaterjet said:
Yea, I know. I'm just kiddin'. I've used my angle grinder with some good wheels. Takes forever, but works. I have a plasma cutter, but haven't used it in 3 years. I'm better with a torch. :eek:
Click to expand...

Considering you have a water jet I'm surprised you use anything else to cut, unless it's glass or ceramic.

Ever used it to slice meat super thin?
 
Not yet. I don't think I will. I can cut glass too. I think for the sword, I would cut it with a torch into rough shape and finish with the grinder.
 
I use a 4x6" metal cutting bandsaw for cutting steel. I routinely cut up a lot of steel. The shortest bars of steel I get are 3' long and what goes into my forge is at max 6" long. That bandsaw makes a lot of sawdust. I bet there is a good 10 lbs on it now and its only been there for a few months. Although I havn't cut 1 1/2 stock recently, I cut some 6" wide 3/4" stock yesterday into 2" wide pieces. 10 or 11 of them if I remeber right and I had the saw running for a few hours today.
I have a chop saw and angle grinder, but no torch, and the chop saw is new and hardly used, but for a few special jobs.
Del
 
Around here it would get lopped to size on a horizontal band saw, and go on a mill.

If you're clever, there are ways to hold stock on a horizontal bandsaw so you can cut it, turn it and cut it some more. For example, you could take a chunk of 2x3x8 block of steel and cut it roughly into a 1" hex or whatever.
 
Thanks for a the comments guys. I've got something to go on now. Chris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top