need help cutting steel - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SWINGSAX68 · 05-11-2003, 04:20 AM

I found what seems to be a little door from an elevator, the one that the emergency phone is in. Is there any one that would be able to cut it to shape for me???. I wanted to fashion some tail lamp brackets out of it.
Thanks!!!!
it is pretty thick stainless steel, and I can do it myself, but it would be very difficult to get it really straight with the tools that I have.
Would I maybe be able to take it to a machine shop, or a welding place??? Thanks.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-11-2003, 09:16 AM

It sounds like something that could be cut with a plasma cutter. I would try a welding shop. A machine shop could cut it with a band saw but plasma cutting can be real clean with minimal finishing.

Jim

O'l Buck · 05-11-2003, 11:40 AM

You might also want to have the welding or machine shop drill the holes you need in it. Stainless drills hard. If you drill it yourself, buy alot of bits, and drill very slowly with lots of pressure on the bit. If you think you are drilling too slow, slow down. If you see any discoloration in the stainless at all when drilling, let it cool off and slow the drill down more. If it gets discolored, it will "work harden" and gets extremely hard to drill, it will even reshape the tip on the drill bit. ( I work with alot of stainless at the plant )

Alexis · 05-11-2003, 02:17 PM

keepa bottle of WD-40 with you to spray on the bit when drilling. I use to kill custom made drill bit all the time cause i would drill to fast with to much pressure. i still got alot of them in my tool box. Just need to sharpen then agian.

Longhorn Man · 05-11-2003, 02:30 PM

I would by-pass the machine shop and go to a diesel repair shop. (the smaller the better) I know my boss will do it for a very small fee...normally 10 bucks or something if it is only a 15 min job or so.
And a drill press will come in handy when drilling stuff like this...real slow is the key. I busted a couple bits learning this last week.

nu2-72 · 05-11-2003, 04:17 PM

Send it to me with the shape/pattern you want and I will get it back to you.
1. Plasma is nice but not freehand. It will discolor the edges, make them hard and if not program cut, look like crap. I am not that steady to do finish cuts with a plasma.
2. milled parts can be doubled so that they are identical and/or mirrored image. Exact cuts and straight with radiused inside corners.

05-11-2003, 04:20 AM	#1
SWINGSAX68 Now the others dig........ Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,520	need help cutting steel I found what seems to be a little door from an elevator, the one that the emergency phone is in. Is there any one that would be able to cut it to shape for me???. I wanted to fashion some tail lamp brackets out of it. Thanks!!!! it is pretty thick stainless steel, and I can do it myself, but it would be very difficult to get it really straight with the tools that I have. Would I maybe be able to take it to a machine shop, or a welding place??? Thanks. __________________ 68 Chevy C10 Stepside Black Primer 78 GMC Longbed White 09 Chevy Silverado Shortbed Granite Blue *LOOKING FOR A 67 4 DOOR IMPALA!!!Just like Sam and Dean Winchester!! 'Cause Mustangs are for p^#$ and you can fit a body in the trunk of a 67 Impala* MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Texas State University-San Marcos, TX Certified Music Educator I hope Mom is up there watching and being my Guardian Angel "I've got a fever.....and the only prescription.....IS MORE COW BELL" -The Legendary: Bruce Dickenson "F#$@ 'em up!!!!!!" -The Legendary: Rogelio Escobar TRUCKY LINKS** http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=457750 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=461184 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=472848 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=417541 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=477788

05-11-2003, 11:40 AM	#3
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	You might also want to have the welding or machine shop drill the holes you need in it. Stainless drills hard. If you drill it yourself, buy alot of bits, and drill very slowly with lots of pressure on the bit. If you think you are drilling too slow, slow down. If you see any discoloration in the stainless at all when drilling, let it cool off and slow the drill down more. If it gets discolored, it will "work harden" and gets extremely hard to drill, it will even reshape the tip on the drill bit. ( I work with alot of stainless at the plant ) __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

05-11-2003, 04:17 PM	#6
nu2-72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Amazonia, Mo. USA Posts: 2,821	Send it to me with the shape/pattern you want and I will get it back to you. 1. Plasma is nice but not freehand. It will discolor the edges, make them hard and if not program cut, look like crap. I am not that steady to do finish cuts with a plasma. 2. milled parts can be doubled so that they are identical and/or mirrored image. Exact cuts and straight with radiused inside corners. __________________ 72 3/4 4x4 350 4spd 72 3/4 4x4 350 auto 2004 Duramax Silverado 4x4 2006 Duramax Crew cab 4x4 2010 Harley Ultra Limited 2011 Harley Street Glide

05-11-2003, 09:16 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	It sounds like something that could be cut with a plasma cutter. I would try a welding shop. A machine shop could cut it with a band saw but plasma cutting can be real clean with minimal finishing. Jim

05-11-2003, 02:17 PM	#4
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,879	keepa bottle of WD-40 with you to spray on the bit when drilling. I use to kill custom made drill bit all the time cause i would drill to fast with to much pressure. i still got alot of them in my tool box. Just need to sharpen then agian.

05-11-2003, 02:30 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I would by-pass the machine shop and go to a diesel repair shop. (the smaller the better) I know my boss will do it for a very small fee...normally 10 bucks or something if it is only a 15 min job or so. And a drill press will come in handy when drilling stuff like this...real slow is the key. I busted a couple bits learning this last week.



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