Just a basic question

Well I popped off the body last night, and am wondering what the best tool is to cut the rear of the tub off (just behind the targa).

I have cut a couple of Zuks using a plasma cutter in the past and I was not pleased with how rough a cut it produced. I'd like to cut the panels just once, and have as little clean up as possible.

I'm considering either the Sawzall, or the 4" grinder with a cut off wheel. my buddy thinks I should use the torch, but I think that will make a mess.

Thanks,

-Wayne

the best thing that i have use for cutting big stuff is a gasoline power concrete cut saw. the ones that look like a chain saw on steriods. just bolt in a 14'' chop saw wheel and have at it. it will cut 4'' deep so be carefull, and you can screw up a alot if you don't know how to use it.

S...S...S...S...Sawzall!! :D

Originally posted by dangerber
S...S...S...S...Sawzall!! :D

I'm guessing I'd use a blade with a high tooth count? something over 20 TPI?

-Wayne

It depends on the spot that you're cutting. I used a combination of a 4 1/2" cutoff wheel and a sawzall when we cut the top of a friend's bug. The cutoff wheel allowed for a nice straight cut since it would kind of lead itself. It also kept from tweaking the sheetmetal like a sawzall can do.

For the body seems though, nothing beats the sawzall. It can cut through multiple layers of metal where the cutoff would have trouble.


Based on my experience, you would want a high tooth count on the sawzall blade. That way it won't grab the metal as much and bend it.

Originally posted by rotozuk


I'm guessing I'd use a blade with a high tooth count? something over 20 TPI?

-Wayne

Yes, I used 24 or 28TPI blades when I cut the fenders on my 4runner, workes great! A few beers helps too!! :D

From Seabass, blame him if you remove a body part. 14" chop saw wheel in a 7" grinder. You could use a 7" wheel in 4" grinder for something a litlle less :nuke: too I suppose.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=538241

Here is the thread:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52221&highlight=no+turning+back

WARNING! Don't drink :beer: if you use SeaBass's method!!! LOL!

For that matter, don't breathe while operating that angelmaker!!! :eek:

12" sawzall blade does the trick. ;)

Originally posted by Shrock
From Seabass, blame him if you remove a body part. 14" chop saw wheel in a 7" grinder. You could use a 7" wheel in 4" grinder for something a litlle less :nuke: too I suppose.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=538241

Here is the thread:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52221&highlight=no+turning+back

man talk about taking chopping to a new level..........:D

Face shield is a good idea but what good is seeing if your fingers have been sliced off at the knuckles DUDE where is the gloves

If you have an air compressor, use what the pros use. An AIR-powered BODY SAW. (Seach on google or something with that phrase. You 'll find some pics) The body of the tools is the size of a die-grinders, and it looks like a baby air-powered sawzall.


We used this when trimming a buddys fenders. I've hacked my fair share of fenders using angle grinders, sawzalls, and cutoff tools. The body saw was a beautiful thing. :D Light, fast, and CLEAN...

But of course, since I went out of my way to describe it, you won't have the ability to run air tools. :flipoff2:

:D

We went up town. Plasma

Hypertherm PowerMax 1000

The sazall worked best for me

Cheap=body saw
$$$= plasma
Actually a combo of both covers 98% of my (non-mill) cutting needs...

Thanks for the comments folks.. Dr Evil, you are correct, I have used those body saws in the past! It would have worked great. Too bad I read your post after the deed was done. :eek: (And yes, I have 2 compressors in the garage, but no body saw...yet!)

So what did I end up using? I used my trusty 4 inch grinder with a thin cut off wheel. This worked great!! Almost like a hot knife cutting through butter. Much faster, easier and cleaner then the plasma cutter was on the last chop, and no fires. :)

I was thinking about using the Sawzall, but like Martin said, I was a little worried about the sawzall blade binding up (like they always do) and bending the wimpy metal.

If you need a picture, check out page 17 at:
http://rz-products.com/wayne/updates/updates.html

Looking forward to getting this beast back out on the trails. Thanks again all!

-Wayne

Originally posted by Shrock
From Seabass, blame him if you remove a body part. 14" chop saw wheel in a 7" grinder. You could use a 7" wheel in 4" grinder for something a litlle less :nuke: too I suppose.


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52221&highlight=no+turning+back

I've used a chop saw blade in a circular saw with excellent results as well

I got pissed the other night trying to cut apart a metal contraption and put a 7" metal cutting wheel designed for a circ saw in my 7" grinder. Note to self, this moves a lot of metal fast and makes a LOT of sparks. Sniff sniff...whats that smell, oh shit my shirt is on fire!! :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

PS: I wear a face shield and welding gloves when using cutoff wheels. They occationally explode.

Nobody ever mentions the saber saw, but as a lowbuck alternative to an body saw it ain't bad. Less vibration and easier to control than a sawzall, also easier to make curves.

A good jig saw is a handy tool. It has to be a good one with a lot of power though. I cut a 23"x7" piece of 1/4" diamond plate with my Bosch jig saw yesterday. Two blades and about 5-10 minutes, but the cuts are perfect. I need a plasma!