cutting box steel

Richard tea

Doing a little practicing with my aldi arc welder recently. Ill be making up a rectangular frame with box steel during the summer. I plan to fix wooded panels to the frame. Someone suggested 45 degree cuts and then welded as the strongest. Sound good? or over kill? frame will be 6' by 5'.


Im reading confusing information regarding the type of saw needed to cut the 45 degree angles. I have this https://www.aldi.co.uk/8%22-sliding-mitre-saw/p/701708333112500 and was hoping I could just change the blade but im not sure its possible.


If that saw is not suitable could you suggest one for the job without breaking the bank and it will be used very little.

cletus

Angle grinder would be a better bet.

Calahonda52

cletus wrote: »

Angle grinder would be a better bet.

Not at all accurate enough for 45 degree mitre welds.
You need a special blade, just check the rpm and the depth your saw will cut and take it handy so as not to over load the motor
eg
https://www.mcquillantools.ie/metal-cutting-blades/

Richard tea

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Not at all accurate enough for 45 degree mitre welds.
You need a special blade, just check the rpm and the depth your saw will cut and take it handy so as not to over load the motor
eg
https://www.mcquillantools.ie/metal-cutting-blades/

Is it to do with the rpm of the wood cutting mitre saw? So like you mentioned just take it alot slower?

cletus

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Not at all accurate enough for 45 degree mitre welds.
You need a special blade, just check the rpm and the depth your saw will cut and take it handy so as not to over load the motor
eg
https://www.mcquillantools.ie/metal-cutting-blades/

I beg to differ. I've cut 45's before with an angle grinder, and successfully welded them. I'm far from a tradesman.

FirstinLastout

Sound to belt ahead with that saw, ensure you've put a suitably sized cutting disc in place and not a grinding disc. Go slow with the cut.

When using make sure the box section is supported at the ends level with the bed of the saw, ensuring that the box section remains horizontal rather than falling away as it's cut as this will assist in a better more accurate cut whilst also making it easier to hold in place.

Lastly, just note that welding the box section pieces end to end in this manner may be more tricky than just cutting straight and fillet welding as normal.
Any strength advantage would be marginal at best.

Richard tea

FirstinLastout wrote: »

Sound to belt ahead with that saw, ensure you've put a suitably sized cutting disc in place and not a grinding disc. Go slow with the cut.

When using make sure the box section is supported at the ends level with the bed of the saw, ensuring that the box section remains horizontal rather than falling away as it's cut as this will assist in a better more accurate cut whilst also making it easier to hold in place.

Lastly, just note that welding the box section pieces end to end in this manner may be more tricky than just cutting straight and fillet welding as normal.
Any strength advantage would be marginal at best.

So realistically I shouldnt bother with 45 degree cuts and keep to a simpler straight cut end to end ? This way I can use an angle grinder I already own.

Gen.Zhukov

You could spend a bit of time knocking up an accurate jig and use the grinder. Lots of ways to do it.

Just 1 way -

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Those little 45/90° welding magnets are useful when putting the frame together.

Alaninwondeand

Richard tea wrote: »

Doing a little practicing with my aldi arc welder recently. Ill be making up a rectangular frame with box steel during the summer. I plan to fix wooded panels to the frame. Someone suggested 45 degree cuts and then welded as the strongest. Sound good? or over kill? frame will be 6' by 5'.


Im reading confusing information regarding the type of saw needed to cut the 45 degree angles. I have this https://www.aldi.co.uk/8%22-sliding-mitre-saw/p/701708333112500 and was hoping I could just change the blade but im not sure its possible.


If that saw is not suitable could you suggest one for the job without breaking the bank and it will be used very little.

When did you pick that welder up? Have you used it yet. I am looking to invest in a low cost one to start off.
The table saw I bought in woodies cut box steel handy enough. It was only a cheap one too.

Richard tea

Alaninwondeand wrote: »

When did you pick that welder up? Have you used it yet. I am looking to invest in a low cost one to start off.
The table saw I bought in woodies cut box steel handy enough. It was only a cheap one too.

Ah at least 3 years ago. Tried it with crap mask it came with and gave up. I only recently decided to give it another go along with a new mask. Its going much better now. Im just watching tons of youtube videos.

cruizer101

You can get angle grinder stands which allow you to mount your angle grinder and use it like a chop saw.
Haven't used one myself but they seem to get good reviews, they come up sometime sin Lidl/Aldi.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfcraft-5019000-wolfcraft-Cutting-Stand/dp/B000P3DX6K/ref=asc_df_B000P3DX6K/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=231905005622&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4587106632448866860&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9040161&hvtargid=pla-423468490457&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Calahonda52

cruizer101 wrote: »

You can get angle grinder stands which allow you to mount your angle grinder and use it like a chop saw.
Haven't used one myself but they seem to get good reviews, they come up sometime sin Lidl/Aldi.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfcraft-5019000-wolfcraft-Cutting-Stand/dp/B000P3DX6K/ref=asc_df_B000P3DX6K/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=231905005622&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4587106632448866860&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9040161&hvtargid=pla-423468490457&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Been there, too much play

Richard tea

I managed to find the manual of my Aldi ferrex sliding mitre saw. I tested a cut on a 2'' and 2mm box steel and it cut fine. I just want to cover some info on the blade itself. Manual states it can cut 3mm mild steel plates. Its a carbid saw blade 216x30mm. Number of teeth 40.

Calahonda52

Richard tea wrote: »

I managed to find the manual of my Aldi ferrex sliding mitre saw. I tested a cut on a 2'' and 2mm box steel and it cut fine. I just want to cover some info on the blade itself. Manual states it can cut 3mm mild steel plates. Its a carbid saw blade 216x30mm. Number of teeth 40.

Order another one and keep the new one for timber, the old one will never be the same