Metal Cutting

I’m cutting steel floor tiles which are approx an 1/8 in thick. the back is ribbed and the ribs are hollow but over an 1 in thick. I’ve been using a 4 1/2 in grinder with a cutting wheel to cut the smoothing the edges with a grinding wheel. Can I do it easier, faster and safer with another tool.. also i’ve started using a 5 in grinder now..

thanks in advance;..

R in the burgh

go steelers…

Have you tried a chop saw with an abrasive blade? I would think that would work.

How ya doin’ Rico, I agree with Homer about the chop saw, the only thing to be careful with is to make sure the tile clamps in solidly, you don’t wamt that thing to grab and shatter the blade. I’m a blacksmith amd have cut lots of metal mith my grinders and it’s always a good, and fast solution. If you keep using the grinder, let me give you a product recommendation… Hilti cut off wheels. In my experience using them, I’ve found that they last a whole lot longer than any other brand; I think it has to do with the tighter weave of the fibers that hold it together. Now in full disclosure, I do work at Home Depot also, so i get asked variations on this question a lot, and everyone who has taken my advice on this matter ( the Hilti wheels are twice as much as the next brand ), has agreed with me on this.

Another option would be to use a band saw. You can pick one of these up fairly cheap, about a hundred bucks, just make sure you get one for metal and not wood. It is slower than a grinder, but the cut is very neat and requires minimal clean up. You just push the metal through with the saw vertical, or you might be able to clamp it in, you’ll see what I mean when you use it, if you go that route.

I hope this helps, so let me know how it goes.

Ray the Hammer

Home Depot?

What brand do you like the best? What do you see with the least amount of problems?

I agree as well with the chop saw, I have a Makita chop saw and I’ve used it to cut 1/2 inch thick 316 stainless steel, so 1/8 inch will be very easy. The only thing is if you don’t mind spending $400+ dollars, I would recomend getting a multi-cutter saw. The chop saw is ok, but with the multi-cutter it uses a metal blade instead. This is better because it will cut faster and the blade will last longer.

Not sure about faster, but probably safer using a reciprocating saw. This Bosch Reciprocating Saw Blade is suitable for cutting mild steel up to 8mm thick.

Hope that helps.