Cutting plates with chop saw

[richardb200373]

Any opinions on using a metal chop saw for cutting out plates? I'm ordering 0.050 316 stainless and was going to get it 48x6" then just cut out my 2.5 or 3 inches with the chop saw. Tried a dremmel on 24 ga. and broke 3 wheels in less than an inch, have'nt had a drink in 9 months, must have the shakes something awful, lol. Also, has anyone tried smaller neg and pos plates compared to the neutral plates.... or should they just all be the same size? example: make the n plates 3x6 and the + & - 2.5x5.5......I saw a design that looked like that from pro motor group, that is what it looked like anyway.

[richardb200373]

Ok, I used the chop saw on the 24 ga. stainless, not good. It warped from the heat, not to mention the plate was to small for the back border for it to sit straight. I am buying a shear on ebay for $93 with shipping.

[Jmoore5619]

Any opinions on using a metal chop saw for cutting out plates? I'm ordering 0.050 316 stainless and was going to get it 48x6" then just cut out my 2.5 or 3 inches with the chop saw. Tried a dremmel on 24 ga. and broke 3 wheels in less than an inch, have'nt had a drink in 9 months, must have the shakes something awful, lol. Also, has anyone tried smaller neg and pos plates compared to the neutral plates.... or should they just all be the same size? example: make the n plates 3x6 and the + & - 2.5x5.5......I saw a design that looked like that from pro motor group, that is what it looked like anyway.

Dont try and cut all the way thru..I use my dremal to cut and can cut several pices with one stone..All you have to do ismkae a mark scoring the metal with the dremal and it will snap easily into.

[H2OPWR]

It is far easier and overall less expensive to have a machine shop cut the stainless. By the way 316L stainless will corrode far less than 316. The L stands for low carbon and the carbon in the steel is what causes corossion. Stainless and machine shops use a shear to make exact cuts. every plate will be perfect and without flaws. I had 125 plates cut and had 4 holes punched in them all for $100.00. Even if you could duplicate the orecision it would take dozens of hours and probably at least $100.00 worth of blades to do the same job.

[hhonewbie]

Try using a knibbler

[sheriffav8r]

I bought an Ingersoll-Rand air shear from Lowe's for about $80. Cuts perfectly through my .031 316SS. Plus I get to keep the shears after the cutting spree....