CEThomas Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 How do you cut things out like floor pans, rockers, fenders and the likes. Plasma cutter, oxy acetylene , cutoff wheels, saw??? We have a lot to cut out and replace on the MJ and ZJ along with a few other projects. Already have the cutoff wheels and a jig saw, but want something better for all I have to do. I have had a oxy acetylene setup, should have kept it :cry: Never used a Plasma cutter and do not want to take much $$$ away from the MJ project. So should I get: 1. Good Saw Zal 2. Oxy acetylene 3. Plasma cutter 4. Use what I have and use the $$$ on the MJ Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 general rule of thumb, get it done any way you can without hurting yourself (much) and without wrecking your truck. I personally use a plasma cutter...my grandpa operates a construction business and has 3 so I borrow one when I can. I don't do oxy/acedaline because it's not a clean enough cut for me and I don't want all the clean up work. cutting wheels and sawsalls are great, but you can't get into some tight spaces with them and often have to cut a large piece out by dividing it into several smaller pieces. is time more valuable to you or is having a bad@$$ MJ and ZJ more important? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 What's a plasma worth? I've not looked into it... But I think I want to invest in one eventually. I'd probably sawzall it or use a cutoff wheel. I prefer the sawzall if I can because I always seem to almost cut off my fingers with the angle grinder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 What's a plasma worth? I've not looked into it... But I think I want to invest in one eventually. the answer is, what's a good welder worth? then plus some... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feerocknok Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 I've only used a plasma once and oxy about 4 times. The oxy wasn't very clean, and I know I wan't using the plasma properly, cause it wasn't very clean either. My pops loves the sawzall and I'm an angle grider guy. With an angle grinder and a good set of gloves, nothing can stop me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jared Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 i have had all at my disposasl before. by far plasma is the best once you learn to work it. you can get good with a torch too, but its never as clean a cut. sawzall works great if the room is there, but a 3'' cutoff wheel is what i use the most. its small and easy to manuver. and i am only usually doing small stuff so its not worth it to fire up the torches or a plasma cutter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jared Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 harbor freight has a cutoff wheel for 7 bucks. just get a couple packs of wheels and your all set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEThomas Posted April 8, 2007 Author Share Posted April 8, 2007 Thanks, Maybe I will get a ZalSaw and look at a Plasma cutter down the road. Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87manche Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 got a beefy air compressor? get a body saw, hands down the easiets way I've ever cut sheetmetal. It's like a small sawzall, with a jigsaw sized blade, really easy to manipulate. http://www.sjgreatdeals.com/airbodysaw.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jared Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 i just picked one of those up at harbor friehgt for 9 bucks. haven't used it yet. should work great for trimming fenders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87manche Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 it cuts nicely, I bought one after I hacked up my fenders using the cut off wheel. wish I would have bought it first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEThomas Posted April 9, 2007 Author Share Posted April 9, 2007 Thanks, I will be by a Harbor Freight in the morning, I will pick one up and try. Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudrunt Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 I've used an air nibbler from one of the sheetmetal shops here in town and it works great. just trace your line you want and follow it. It leaves a nice clean edge too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 This is a trick question right. I have a Plasma, real nice for detail work, or metal that I am going to use on something else, by far the fastest, as far as clean up goes, but by far the most expensive when you figure out how much it costs per cut inch. Next come the Oxy torch, love it as well. Great for scraping work that has to be done quick, Also good for cutting thick metal, as my plasma wil only clen cut 3/8, so if I am cutting half or thicker, and I am going to use a grinder anyways, I am going to use what is cheaper to cut with. Then you got the sawzall, blades are kinda expensive, and you always bend your last blade when the store closes. Down side kinda slow, noisy. Grinder with cutoff wheel, great for thin stuff, and tight areas, again slow and noisy, plus balck buggers. Like I said each type of cutting tool has its purpose, it is just a matter of how much time and money you want to spend on your cuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbhill Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 just cuz its faster, dosnt mean its better. i prefer to use a body saw(buy lots of blades and take the pos gaurd off) and a cut off wheel using a 3 in disc. a spot weld drill bit and thats all i use at work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comancheman Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 I'm an angle grinder guy also but my fingers would tell u a different story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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