Cutting Metal & Welding Question

latinoguy · 01-28-08, 11:47 AM

I ordered a set of sliders from Adam at 4xinnovations for my 80 series, and plan to make them bolt on, using George's specs to fabricate the face plates...(Actually a local fabricator will do most if not all of the cutting & welding work...I will just assist him)

The questions I have are:
1. Is a 2 3/8" face plate big enough to weld a round tube outrigger measuring 1 3/4? Or is more extra surface area required?

2. Having a cordless 18V reciprocating saw, I can get a head start and cut the face plates myself....(3/16" thick plates) If This a viable tool to cut this thick of metal....or am I better off buying a chop saw? (The other option is to have my fabricator use his plasma) I am just trying to get as much involved as I can...and save some $$$

Hope I was clear

BooKilla · 01-28-08, 01:00 PM

How thick is the plate? .25/.35/.5?

1) How are you going to put bolts large enough through the corners of that small of a plate? Use a plate that is the size of section of frame you are mounting it to. Then make sure you truss the plate and tube together. That will stiffen it up quite a bit.

2) Absolutely not. The only real way to cut thick metal is with a plasma cutter or an o/a torch. For really precise cuts you'll want to use the plasma; for really thick metal or hardened metal you are going to want to use an oxy torch.

If you are having a fabricator do the work, he should absolutely have an o/a torch and probably should have a plasma.

Cruiserdrew · 01-28-08, 01:05 PM

I'd use a bigger plate.

You can cut up to 1/4 inch accurately and well with an angle grinder. You get grinding dust everywhere, but it works great.

You will not be happy trying to cut real metal with a Sawz-all.

latinoguy · 01-28-08, 01:53 PM

Let me clarify: 1. The narrowest Face plates are 2 3/8" Using 3/16" thick metal...They are obviously taller in size to allow for attaching the U-bolts...
Yes-the fabricator has a plasma cutter...you answered my questions. Thank you!

Atoyot1031 · 01-28-08, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latinoguy

I ordered a set of sliders from Adam at 4xinnovations for my 80 series, and plan to make them bolt on, using George's specs to fabricate the face plates...(Actually a local fabricator will do most if not all of the cutting & welding work...I will just assist him)

The questions I have are:
1. Is a 2 3/8" face plate big enough to weld a round tube outrigger measuring 1 3/4? Or is more extra surface area required?

2. Having a cordless 18V reciprocating saw, I can get a head start and cut the face plates myself....(3/16" thick plates) If This a viable tool to cut this thick of metal....or am I better off buying a chop saw? (The other option is to have my fabricator use his plasma) I am just trying to get as much involved as I can...and save some $$$

Hope I was clear

Did he make up a custom set for ya? I measured my angles (with a bevel gauge) and cut them all myself. I purchased one of the Porter Cable dry-cutting carbide tipped chop saws off ebay for <$300 to the door!

Well worth it, in what it allows me to do...

Good Luck!!!

latinoguy · 01-28-08, 03:06 PM

Nick, Yes he did....He made them a bit longer... 72" in lenght...getting everything else I need.
U-bolts, metal, and waiting for the sliders...

Junk · 01-28-08, 07:27 PM

If he knows you want to be involved and learn some then ask him if you can try cutting the material at his place with the plasma. Hey - it can't hurt to ask and chances are if he's a good dude that he'll let you try it.

Capt. Jim · 01-30-08, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latinoguy

Let me clarify: 1. The narrowest Face plates are 2 3/8" Using 3/16" thick metal...They are obviously taller in size to allow for attaching the U-bolts...

Are you going to u-bolt the mounting plates to the frame? If so, it kinda defeats the purpose of the slider as some of the plate must be below the frame rail to accept the lower portion of the u-bolt. Or, am I not seeing how you plan to attach correctly???

chappysfj40 · 02-01-08, 01:30 AM

my 2 cents is dont do any cutting or anything till you are working on the rig putting the sliders on.
cheers

D'Animal · 02-01-08, 09:04 AM

You could use a bandsaw to make your plates. They are about the same price as the chop saw and make a lot less mess.

fj40charles · 02-01-08, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D'Animal

You could use a bandsaw to make your plates. They are about the same price as the chop saw and make a lot less mess.

Less mess, less noise, and better quality of cut. I need to buy one soon, but have not found a good one yet and I don't want to buy a HF special. I'm tired of using my chop saw.

01-28-08, 11:47 AM	#1
latinoguy IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Coachella Valley, CA Posts: 460	Cutting Metal & Welding Question I ordered a set of sliders from Adam at 4xinnovations for my 80 series, and plan to make them bolt on, using George's specs to fabricate the face plates...(Actually a local fabricator will do most if not all of the cutting & welding work...I will just assist him) The questions I have are: 1. Is a 2 3/8" face plate big enough to weld a round tube outrigger measuring 1 3/4? Or is more extra surface area required? 2. Having a cordless 18V reciprocating saw, I can get a head start and cut the face plates myself....(3/16" thick plates) If This a viable tool to cut this thick of metal....or am I better off buying a chop saw? (The other option is to have my fabricator use his plasma) I am just trying to get as much involved as I can...and save some $$$ Hope I was clear __________________ James 97 FZJ80, "La Mula" DD, ARB, Tire Carrier, Sliders, OME 850J/863 springs, L shocks, 295/75/R16, Slee TC Skid Plate, Rear Storage, CB, LEDs, SS Brake Lines, Rear work lights, GPS, HIRs Highs&Lows "Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

01-28-08, 01:00 PM	#2
BooKilla IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, OR TLCA# 18193 Posts: 492	How thick is the plate? .25/.35/.5? 1) How are you going to put bolts large enough through the corners of that small of a plate? Use a plate that is the size of section of frame you are mounting it to. Then make sure you truss the plate and tube together. That will stiffen it up quite a bit. 2) Absolutely not. The only real way to cut thick metal is with a plasma cutter or an o/a torch. For really precise cuts you'll want to use the plasma; for really thick metal or hardened metal you are going to want to use an oxy torch. If you are having a fabricator do the work, he should absolutely have an o/a torch and probably should have a plasma. __________________ The Boone '85 4runner (sold) '91 FJ80 (3fe powa) '94 FZJ80 (lockered) '98 4runner (sold) "Buying parts I don't need, with money I don't have, to impress people I don't know." Co-Founder of the Lake Oswego Militia

01-28-08, 01:05 PM	#3
Cruiserdrew KI6MIE Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA TLCA# 11734 Posts: 6,975	I'd use a bigger plate. You can cut up to 1/4 inch accurately and well with an angle grinder. You get grinding dust everywhere, but it works great. You will not be happy trying to cut real metal with a Sawz-all. __________________ Andrew 1971 FJ-40 Rubicon tested, 2F powered, some mods 1976 FJ40 Rusting slowly in the back yard 1984 FJ-60 H55f, 4.11, OME, Daily Driver 1989 FJ-62 117k-son's driver for now-low and slow 1997 FZJ-80 Driveway queen

01-28-08, 01:53 PM	#4
latinoguy IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Coachella Valley, CA Posts: 460	Let me clarify: 1. The narrowest Face plates are 2 3/8" Using 3/16" thick metal...They are obviously taller in size to allow for attaching the U-bolts... Yes-the fabricator has a plasma cutter...you answered my questions. Thank you! __________________ James 97 FZJ80, "La Mula" DD, ARB, Tire Carrier, Sliders, OME 850J/863 springs, L shocks, 295/75/R16, Slee TC Skid Plate, Rear Storage, CB, LEDs, SS Brake Lines, Rear work lights, GPS, HIRs Highs&Lows "Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

01-28-08, 03:06 PM	#6
latinoguy IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Coachella Valley, CA Posts: 460	Nick, Yes he did....He made them a bit longer... 72" in lenght...getting everything else I need. U-bolts, metal, and waiting for the sliders... __________________ James 97 FZJ80, "La Mula" DD, ARB, Tire Carrier, Sliders, OME 850J/863 springs, L shocks, 295/75/R16, Slee TC Skid Plate, Rear Storage, CB, LEDs, SS Brake Lines, Rear work lights, GPS, HIRs Highs&Lows "Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

01-28-08, 07:27 PM	#7
Junk IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: buggerville nj Posts: 5,889 Blog Entries: 1	If he knows you want to be involved and learn some then ask him if you can try cutting the material at his place with the plasma. Hey - it can't hurt to ask and chances are if he's a good dude that he'll let you try it.

02-01-08, 01:30 AM	#9
chappysfj40 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: PORT HUENEME , CA TLCA# 9188 Posts: 484	my 2 cents is dont do any cutting or anything till you are working on the rig putting the sliders on. cheers __________________ - Iam home now from the SUCK !!!!!!! VJ60 700R4 33's 203 doubler, ARB's 4.56, OME and just a awesome truck!!!!!!!!!! - RUBITHON 2008 TESTED GOD ASKED FOR 10 DAYS TO CREATE EARTH, CHUCK NORRIS GAVE HIM 7..

02-01-08, 09:04 AM	#10
D'Animal Beagles Rule! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central California TLCA# 17104 Posts: 10,082	You could use a bandsaw to make your plates. They are about the same price as the chop saw and make a lot less mess. __________________ Cruiser Dan at American Toyota Phone is 1-800-432-6668 ext. 8 (I am not cruiser Dan)

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