Cutting Metal & Welding Question

[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

 

[BooKilla]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[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.

 

[fj40charles]

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.