Whats the best cutting tool?

[ExplorerJimbo]

Im in the teardown process of my SAS. I still have to get my steering stuff out of the way but I was just wondering what would be the best way/cutting tool to cut that crossmember piece out of the way?

by the way i have a 01'...

 

[BrooklynBay]

Do you have an angle grinder?

 

[IZwack]

Since most of the cross member is stamped steel welded together, the fastest way would probably be a reciprocating saw.

I use a Ryobi variable speed which ive had for a year and a half and is now on its second off-road project.

When using such a tool, remember to set the speed down when cutting through metal. You want to avoid overheating the blade and deforming/breaking the teeth. If you see the color of the bare metal blade change towards the purple, then you've overheated the blade.

 

[95exploderboy]

Since most of the cross member is stamped steel welded together, the fastest way would probably be a reciprocating saw.

I use a Ryobi variable speed which ive had for a year and a half and is now on its second off-road project.

When using such a tool, remember to set the speed down when cutting through metal. You want to avoid overheating the blade and deforming/breaking the teeth. If you see the color of the bare metal blade change towards the purple, then you've overheated the blade.

This works really well. If ur handy with it you can cut pretty close to the frame and minimize the amount of grinding you have to do. Try the Lenox brand blades, they cut pretty darn good. Milwaukee aint bad either.

 

[section525]

You're probably going to need to use about every cutting tool there is. :

I used a grinder...

The torch...

and a sawz-all.

The more tools you have the better. Some places you can't get into with the grinder. Some you can't torch.

 

[95exploderboy]

Nicely done Mr. Obama. Plant that seed

 

[IZwack]

ahah wow that seems so long ago!

 

[sn0border88]

when we did spas's we used a 4.5 and 9" grinder, plasma and maybe a sawzall.

 

[ExplorerJimbo]

i guess ill stick with alot of grinding and get a sawzall since i dont have access to a torch or plazma.

i didnt get a chance today to work on removing the rack and pinion steering. is it easier to cut around the steering or to just take it off before i start cutting? thanks guys!

ill get some pictures posted as the build takes place

 

[section525]

I left the rack in there. That thing is a pain in the ass to get out no matter what. Burning it with the torch felt pretty good too.

 

[IZwack]

i didnt get a chance today to work on removing the rack and pinion steering. is it easier to cut around the steering or to just take it off before i start cutting? thanks guys!

Before you cut the cross member, see if you can weld at least a temporary cross member somewhere behind where the bumper would sit. Cauz once you cross the cross member, I think the next thing holding the two rails together is the engine.

 

[ExplorerJimbo]

yeah ill deff. do that. I have to mount my spring hangers up front and i planned on putting some more support between the rails for strength. so after i do that ill cut it out! thanks

 

[Premier]

http://www.stihl.us/construction/TS800.html

 

[IZwack]

^--- isnt that for cutting masonry, sidewalks and other stuff? not metal?

 

[Turdle]

^--- isnt that for cutting masonry, sidewalks and other stuff? not metal?

I used one with an abrasive wheel-it went right thru 1/4 angle like I was cutting wood.

 

[IZwack]

I used one with an abrasive wheel-it went right thru 1/4 angle like I was cutting wood.

scary

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's hard to control a 14" blade with a heavy tool.

 

[ExplorerJimbo]

if i were to use that thing i'd be missing a leg within 5 minutes haha...

i hope to get to cuttin away this weekend and ill get some pictures posted of what i've got so far. but that too wont be till sat. or sun. because im on a laptop that doesnt like to upload pictures to the internet through dialup...

thanks for the help guys! ill need more when the actual swap takes place later on this month!

 

[zhanx]

I used a saws-all today with a 8" millwalakee (sp) torch blade a plasma cutter and a 4-1/2 grinder with cutting disks.

Used the saw-all for the top mount on the frame and the inside of the rack and pinion mount and the plasma cutter for the rest. 45 minutes everything was off.

 

[ExplorerJimbo]

well i wish i had plasma... but i guess alot of cutting with a grinder and a saws all is whats gonna happen