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I am in the process of getting my welder fixed and thought I would make a couple trailers to earn some extra cheddar on the side. I will be cutting tubing and sheet metal. What metal cutting tools do you recommend, I do not have a lot of cash, so a plasma cutter is not an option right now. Thanks

Steel cutting circular saw. Loud but an awsome finished cut.

Angle grinder from Harbor Freight with cut off wheels. Not fancy, not fast, but it works and at $19.00 + the disks... it's affordable.

Angle grinder with a zip wheel for sheet metal and a chop saw for the tubing.

If you are doing home built trailers I would look to you DMV for requirements.
Here (AZ) we have no real spec's for construction but if you want to title them you need to provide receipts for the steel, axle, tires and rims.
I almost was denied a title as all the materials on the trailer came from previous projects I had laying around.

Tad wrote:Angle grinder with a zip wheel for sheet metal and a chop saw for the tubing.

If you are doing home built trailers I would look to you DMV for requirements.
Here (AZ) we have no real spec's for construction but if you want to title them you need to provide receipts for the steel, axle, tires and rims.
I almost was denied a title as all the materials on the trailer came from previous projects I had laying around.

Very true. They did me the same way.

If your looking cheep , like the others said the air angle grinders from hf are great for the money , I have a few , also a good electric 4.5" grinder (dewalt) with cutting disk is awesome , I also use a portaband and of corse my plasma but your not looking for that but the others work great

One cutting tool that I use the snot out of is my HF 64.5" band saw. When I need it, I can use it as a stand up saw for detailed cuts. New blades are only $10.

jaber wrote:One cutting tool that I use the snot out of is my HF 64.5" band saw. When I need it, I can use it as a stand up saw for detailed cuts. New blades are only $10.

You have the 299$ one ore the 799$ one ? I have been thinking about getting one !

I love my dremel. Wont do big jobs, but is invaluable for small things and cleaning up holes and hard to reach areas.

Onelow1ton wrote:

jaber wrote:One cutting tool that I use the snot out of is my HF 64.5" band saw. When I need it, I can use it as a stand up saw for detailed cuts. New blades are only $10.

You have the 299$ one ore the 799$ one ? I have been thinking about getting one !

An old boss gave me the $299 one without a motor. I have been through 3 motors so far, granted they were all used. It has been an old faithful type of tool.

I have 4 grinders (two workhorse Miluakees, one Dewalt, and a cheap Lowe's one), dremel, and Rigid chop saw. The Rigid is fantastic, very solid.

I REALLY want a plasma, but can't bring myself to pay for one yet...

We always used a chop saw. They can be pretty accurate if you take your time.. Loud, messy, dangerous.... but that's most of the fun tools in the garage, right?

Something like this...

jaber wrote:One cutting tool that I use the snot out of is my HF 64.5" band saw. When I need it, I can use it as a stand up saw for detailed cuts. New blades are only $10.

I have the cheapy version of that saw, but the only local place that has blades is Ace hardware. They are like $20 at Ace.

I've worn it out and will be replacing it with a much larger bandsaw.

Check out the sales flyer

http://www.kmstools.com/assets/pages/co ... etitor.jpg

Man, someone wasted alt of time on that
as.

carnuck wrote:Check out the sales flyer

http://www.kmstools.com/assets/pages/co ... etitor.jpg

Thats retarded, but funny.

I got to get me one of those 18 volt cordless hammers.. Probably pick up the nail unbender as well...


I would get a chop saw before the bandsaw. You'll have much nicer mitered cuts and straight cuts.
If you decide you want a band saw type cutter those Milwaukie Port-A- Bands are sweet.

Personally I'm spoiled and have a full blown machine shop at my disposal.

nester wrote:We always used a chop saw. They can be pretty accurate if you take your time.. Loud, messy, dangerous.... but that's most of the fun tools in the garage, right?

Something like this...

These can't be gone without for doing tubing. I use a Porter Cable 12" compound miter saw with a chopsaw blade. Doesn't cut as fast as a purpose built chopsaw, but the perfectly accurate angles you can cut clean can't be beat. Plus, the laser guide is cool.

I picked up a CH cutting tool from TSC. It was 19$ with a 1yr warranty and for 3$ more 2 additional years. I thought that was a good deal. Still looking. I like the chop saw, and I am keeping my eyes open for a band saw on CL for cheap.

HOOT wrote:I got to get me one of those 18 volt cordless hammers.. Probably pick up the nail unbender as well...


I would get a chop saw before the bandsaw. You'll have much nicer mitered cuts and straight cuts.
If you decide you want a band saw type cutter those Milwaukie Port-A- Bands are sweet.

Personally I'm spoiled and have a full blown machine shop at my disposal.

I would argue against the Porta band we have one at work that is crap we pulled it out of service and will be selling it shortly