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Plasma cutters!

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So I have a bunch of cutting (hopefully followed by welding) to do and I'm having a hard time getting a straight cuts with the nibbler I have (compressor powered).

I'm thinking that a good plasma cutter would be a big help, but I'm not sure of which one or the likelihood that I'll burn the garage down....
 
I do not have a plasma cutter, would like one, but can't justify it for the amount of work I have to do.

This forum is dedicated to metal working, shaping, welding, and other aspects of auto body metal work and has been godsend to me.

Check them out at:

https://www.metalmeet.com/forum/index.php
 
Bill has one,maybe he'll let you borrow it.
 
Try one of those air powered body saws. I used it on my TR3 resto, and it worked better then all the other methods I tried. There are some instances where you can't use it, but it did the job most of the time. As with any tool, the more you use it, the more you can make it do what you want.

I assume that we are talking sheet metal...if not, then disregard the body saw suggestion. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
Well the price tags on the plasma cutters is pretty sobering - much more than I thought and more than a couple of the cars I've bought.

I think I'm going to investigate the body saws and maybe a table saw...

Thanks for the info guys.
 
You can use an air powered die grinder with a 4" cutting wheel...but buy the good quality US wheels...the chinese ones will disintegrate and only last 1/4 as long...a 4 1/2" electric grinder also works good with these wheels...
 
Plasma cutters are pretty costly, unless you can justify the cost against the work you have to do, both now and in the future. One thing a good plasma cutter has going for it, is it will cut any metalic material up to the machines limit in thickness in a hurry. The capability to cut thicker material with a plasma cutter equals $.
Where as a Pneumatic 4" die grinder will aslo cut metalic materials, and many many other types of material as well. AND much much cheaper! I do light fabrication on the side here at the house, and still I CAN NOT justify the cost of buying and maintaining a plasma cutter. Instead I rely on Oxy/Accetylene cutting torch and a good quality 4" die grinder as well as other larger grinders for specific purposes. A plasma cutter is cheaper to operate than an Oxy accetylene outfit. Except one factor! That is it takes a heap of cutting to overcome the initial cost, {make the machine pay its own way}.
Unless you are going to do an awful lot of fabricating, my opinion is FIRST get and try the 4" die grinder. Body saws have thier limitations too! My opinion is the 4" die grinder will give you more bang for the buck in the long run.
P.S. Good quality grinding disks make all the difference in the world as to the ease of work and longevity of the disk itself. Like any tool it will take some practice to become proficient in making straight cuts, but practice will prevail.
 
Die grinder is all you need for 99% of your cutting. The only things you might need to know about using one is, 1. Buy the biggest air compressor you can afford. Die grinders eat air like you won't believe. 2. Has already been mentioned - buy the best quality brand you can, etc. It doesn't cost any more to go first class. Do NOT buy such items from the likes of Harbor Freight. (Have I touched a nerve here?)

Yep, I bought a plasma cutter. A good one at that. After rewiring my garage for 220 (in spite of what it says, 110 won't push it.), adding a dryer (they don't like moisture in the air.) and up-grading my air compressor (same rules apply as die grinder, they eat air.), I am in so deep that I cannot possibly sell. If you lived next door, you could borrow it. Wait, I don't lend tools so that won't work. (My neighbor borrowed my Mantis tiller to do a small job. That was 3 weeks ago. Darn, I hate to lend stuff. Neither a lender nor a borrower be.)
 
I second the body saws. They cut through sheet metal with ease and the price is right. I think I paid $19.99 at HF + extra blades for mine and it is indespensible for removing sheet metal. For $20, try one before shelling out for a plasma.
 
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