Bench cutting - metal cutting. Sawing pipes at different angles

When working with wood or metal, as a rule, there are no problems with accurate and high-quality cutting. Polymer materials are a completely different matter. Acrylic or polycarbonate, due to their physical properties, require a special approach to processing. These modern materials can melt at the point of contact with the cutting tool, scratch, and also split. In this regard, there are often cases when even the simplest cut looks sloppy or leads to irreparable damage to the part. We have prepared a description of the three most effective methods for cutting plastic, which are suitable for materials of different types, qualities and thicknesses.

If there is a need to cut sheet polycarbonate or acrylic plastic, the thickness of which is 2-3 mm, then the best tool for this work will be a regular mounting knife with replaceable blades, used for cutting drywall. It is better to carry out the work on a hard, flat surface, securing the sheet to it with clamps. Accurate markings play an important role when cutting plastic. Do not forget that in case of an error, it will be impossible to correct the defect and the sheet of material will be damaged. A metal ruler or profile is placed along the line along which it is planned to divide the sheet, along which several passes are made with a mounting knife. You need to cut the plastic slowly but surely, making sure that the blade does not go to the side and plunges into the polymer to the same depth throughout the cut.

Once a sufficiently deep groove is obtained, it is tempting to break the sheet along this line, as is done with glass. This solution often leads to undesirable consequences, such as the appearance of chips or cracks. To complete the cutting process, turn the plastic over, secure it again on the table and, placing a ruler on a clearly visible line, repeat the manipulations with the knife on the reverse side. After this, you can remove the clamp, move the sheet to the edge of the table and carefully break off the cut off part with your hands.

How to cut thick sheets of plastic

Cutting polycarbonate and acrylic sheets whose thickness exceeds 20 mm is performed using electric tools. Circular saws are best suited for these purposes. To do this kind of work, you will have to go to the store and purchase a special saw blade designed for working with plastic. It differs from discs for wood and stone by its small thickness and smaller, specially shaped teeth. Under no circumstances should you use discs intended for other materials, as damage to the material in this case will be inevitable. Wood saws have teeth that are too large and spaced apart. Sawing acrylic or polycarbonate with such a disk will lead to the formation of torn edges of the cut and even melting of the polymer.

Just like with manual cutting, before sawing the sheet into circular saw, it must be accurately marked. It is best to draw a line with a permanent marker, the line of which is clearly visible and has sufficient resistance to erasure. Before starting work, the plastic also needs to be firmly secured. They cut polymer sheets in the same way as plywood, with the difference that when cutting a significant length, it is better to pause so that the disc cools down and does not melt the edges of the cut.

Complex shaped cuts

When working with plastic, it is often necessary to make curved cuts. With thin sheets, you can use a mounting knife, but if the thickness of the polymer exceeds 10 mm, then it is better to use an electric jigsaw. Manufacturers produce saw blades designed specifically for working with acrylic or polycarbonate, having a special tooth shape and a non-standard angle. When working with plastic with a thickness of more than 20 mm, it is permissible to use saw blades for wood with the finest teeth. In this case, you need to set the minimum number of engine revolutions, otherwise the material will begin to melt when cutting.

No matter how hard you try, you most likely will not be able to get a perfect edge at the cut site. Therefore, after completing the work, it is necessary to sand the ends with sandpaper or a sanding block. Experts recommend using coarse abrasives at the beginning of grinding, gradually moving to finer ones. If you show maximum care and patience, the edge at the cut site will be perfectly smooth and will not cause any trouble even with precise joining of the elements.

Separately, it is necessary to mention safety precautions when performing such work. Cutting plastic should be done on a stable workbench or table with a working tool. It is also necessary to take care to protect your eyes with glasses, since some types of polymers, when cutting, can form fragments that fly over a considerable distance.

Useful tips

Cutting off(cutting) - the process of completely separating one part of a material from the whole (rod, bar, angle, etc.) using a cutting tool on metal-cutting machines.

Cutting(cutting) - the process of completely dividing a whole (rod, bar, angle, etc.) into equal or unequal parts using a cutting tool on metal-cutting machines.

Cutting(slotting) - the process of forming one or several dimensional narrow grooves (slots, splines) in a workpiece using a cutting tool on metal-cutting machines.

Cutting and slotting cutters (slotted). Cutting off workpieces on milling machines is done with cutting cutters, cutting grooves and splines is done with slotted (slotted) cutters. Parting and slotting cutters have cutting edges located along the periphery and do not have cutting edges at the ends. According to GOST 2679-61, slotting and cutting cutters are made of three types: type I - with a small tooth, type II - with a medium (normal) tooth, type III - with a large tooth. Slotting cutters of types I and II with a diameter of 32 to 80 mm are mainly used for cutting grooves and splines and are manufactured in two accuracy classes: AA and A (precision version). Cutting cutters of all types and diameters with a width of 1 mm and above are manufactured according to accuracy class B (normal version). Cutting cutters are intended for cutting a whole into parts (for example, cutting a workpiece into several equal or unequal parts) and cutting from a whole part, for example, cutting one workpiece from a block. Cutting cutters with fine and medium teeth are intended for processing steel and cast iron, cutters with large teeth are intended for processing aluminum, magnesium and other light alloys.

Cutting cutters with fine teeth are produced with a diameter D = 32-250 mm, width B = 0.2-5 mm, with a number of teeth z = 56-140; cutters with a medium tooth have, respectively, D = 50-250 mm, B = 0.5-5 mm, z = 32-80; cutters with large teeth - D = 50-250 mm, B = 1-5 mm and z = 14-40. Large workpieces are cut using saws with insert segments. These saws have a diameter D = 275-2000 mm, width B = 5-14.5 mm, bore diameter d = 32-240 mm and the number of segments 14-44. The segments are made of high-speed steel and secured to a disk made of 50G or 65G steel with three or four rivets.

Slotting cutters with fine and medium teeth are designed for cutting shallow slots in the heads of screws or castle nuts, cutting shallow grooves. Slotting cutters with large teeth - for cutting deep splines and grooves.

To reduce friction during processing, cutting and slotting cutters have an undercut angle φ 1 (the width of the cutter decreases from the periphery to the center). For slotting cutters φ 1 = 5-30", and for cutting cutters φ 1 = 15"-1°. In order to improve the working conditions of cutters and increase their durability, transition cutting edges are made on the teeth.

Transitional cutting edges can be of three types. For cutters produced centrally, the transition cutting edges are made according to shape 1 and serve to separate the chips along the width.

Cutting and slotting cutters D = 32-250 mm are mounted on mandrels with diameters d = 8, 10, 13, 16, 22, 27 and 32 mm. The optimal diameter of cutting cutters is selected based on the same conditions as for disk cutters.

Solid carbide slotting cutters are intended for cutting grooves in workpieces made of stainless, chromium, acid-resistant, heat-resistant and other difficult-to-process materials. They are manufactured according to industry standards with a diameter of 7 to 60 mm and a thickness of 0.5 to 3.5 mm from hard alloys of various grades. The use of carbide cutters made from high-speed steel can significantly increase labor productivity by increasing cutting speed and increasing durability by 10-20 times. The quality of the processed surface increases by two roughness classes.

Cutting workpieces into pieces. It is required to cut a steel angle 315 mm long into five equal parts measuring 60 ± 10 mm.

Selecting the type and size of cutter. The diameter of the cutting cutter should be chosen as minimal as possible, since the smaller the diameter of the cutter, the higher its rigidity and vibration resistance. Therefore, when cutting with cutters of small diameters, you can give large feeds per tooth and get best quality treated surface than when working with large-diameter cutting cutters. The durability of large diameter cutters will be less and their cost will be higher. The optimal cutter diameter, as for disk cutters, can be determined by the formula D = 2r + d1 + (12÷16). In our case, t = 50 mm at d = 32 mm, d1 = 48 mm. Therefore, D = 2 50 + 48 + 12 = 160 mm. Let's take a cutting cutter made of high-speed steel 6РМ5 D = 160 mm, B = 3 mm, d = 32 mm, z = 56 (type II - middle tooth).

When securing the workpiece, special attention should be paid to the rigidity of the workpiece and the cutter. The workpiece is installed and secured in a machine vice, as shown in Fig. 92, with emphasis on the shelf for greater rigidity of fastening. The table with the workpiece secured must be brought as close as possible to the bed. The cutter should not touch the vice. The cutter is mounted on a mandrel as close as possible to the machine spindle, and the shackle is mounted closer to the cutter to ensure greater rigidity. To prevent the cutter from tearing the workpiece out of the vice, but pressing it against the vice, down-milling (by feed) is used. However, with this method, there should be no play in the connection between the screw and the nut for the longitudinal feed of the table.

Rice. 92. Securing the workpiece in a vice

Setting for milling mode. The feed per tooth of cutting and slotting cutters made of high-speed steel R6M5 when processing steel is selected within the range of 0.01-0.03 mm/tooth. Cutting speed within 30-60 m/min. Cutting and slitting - with coolant cooling.

It is preferable to cut thin sheet material and cut it into strips using down milling, since the cutting force in this case will press the workpiece against the table. However, as mentioned earlier, feed milling can be done only in the absence of a longitudinal table feed mechanism. If the workpiece is mounted directly on the machine table, without supports, then the cutter on the mandrel should be positioned against the T-shaped groove in the machine table.

Milling splines in screw heads or castle nuts is usually done in a jig. In Fig. 93 shows a diagram of a device for continuously milling splines in screw heads installed in two rows. Here, the auxiliary time for loading workpieces and unloading processed parts overlaps with the time for direct milling of the slot. The workpieces are installed manually on a continuously rotating disk.

Rice. 93. Diagram of a device for continuous milling of splines in screw heads

The workpieces can be secured in the fixture automatically in clamping prisms before approaching the slotting cutter. After milling the splines, the prisms are released, the processed parts fall out and enter the box through a chute. If you automatically load workpieces through a hopper device, the processing cycle will be fully automated.

The process of milling splines in a device with a circular feed is fundamentally no different from the case of conventional milling with a longitudinal feed when installing the workpiece on the machine table.

Metal is the material that the angle grinder (angle grinder) was originally designed to work with. Now it is used to cut reinforcing bars, various metal sheets, pipes of various diameters, brick, concrete, stone, tiles and other building materials. Thanks to the presence of a variety of attachments, the grinder also allows you to polish and grind the surfaces of products. Cutting metal with a grinder is one of the main, most common jobs. To reduce the likelihood of injury, it must be performed correctly, with strict adherence to general and personal safety requirements.

Bulgarian belongs to the category of relatively dangerous power tools. You can get injured from a flying disc or a tool falling out of your hands. In both cases, the danger is associated with the high speed of rotation of the device's electric motor.

To increase the efficiency of the grinder and expand its functionality, in practice they use such additional accessories:

tripods;
retainers.

Their use makes it possible to improve the quality of sawing metal workpieces and increase the accuracy of the process. Working conditions also improve in terms of safety, and productivity increases.

The use of additional accessories allows you to use the tool as a machine designed to perform different types works

To make the cutting process as safe as possible, working on metal with an angle grinder should follow a number of rules. They are conventionally divided into preparatory and main (working) activities.

Before cutting begins, a number of manipulations must be carried out.

If possible, the material to be sawn should first be securely fixed, for example, in a vice, in order to eliminate possible accidental movements. Holding workpieces in your hands or between your knees is prohibited.

Correct use of the tool

When you start sawing any part using an angle grinder, you should adhere to these rules.

When cutting metal, you need to hold the grinder firmly, with both hands.
The wheels can be changed only after they have completely stopped rotating and cooled down to an acceptable temperature, disconnecting the power tool from the power supply.
Do not place the working tool on the ground or table (do not let it out of your hands).
Required periodically for about 5 minutes stop to rest, and to keep the disk cool.
It is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the cutting wheel, preventing it from being pinched by the edges of the workpiece being cut.
Do not leave the tool plugged in unattended.
Use only discs of the correct size as specified in the operating instructions for the device you are using.
Get the job done better on a flat surface so that the body position is stable.
Make sure that the power cord is kept away from the rotating circle, sharp edges, and objects heated above 100 degrees.
Movements not directly related to cutting must be performed only with the power tool turned off.
You need to position yourself on the side or behind the tool, doing the work with your own hands so that parts of the body are not in the cutting plane.

When cutting metal with a grinder is finished, you should wait until the disk stops completely and disconnect the power cord of the tool from the mains. Afterwards, it is recommended to ensure that there are no signs of fire. When cutting materials, a right-handed person should correctly hold the handle of the device in the area of the on/off button with his right hand. Left hand At the same time, it is located on a handle screwed into the body of the power tool from above.

It is unacceptable to perform work using an angle grinder in a very tired state, or while under the influence of alcohol, psychotropic or narcotic drugs.

As for the question of which direction—toward or away from you—the disk of a switched-on angle grinder should rotate, there is no definite answer. The operating instructions indicate that the first option is correct. This is due to the fact that the resulting sparks fly away in the direction opposite to the operator, without causing harm. Also, fragments of the circle will fly in that direction if it breaks into pieces.

But if the rotating disk jams towards itself, the tool will fly off towards the worker. For this reason, many specialists prefer to cut metal so that the circle rotates “from itself”. A power tool torn out of your hands will fly in the opposite direction. This reduces the likelihood of injury, and clothing, shoes and gloves will protect the user from flying sparks.

Cutting sheet metal with a grinder

To cut metal of different types and thicknesses, use appropriate cutting wheels of various thicknesses and diameters. The algorithm for sawing sheets is as follows.

To cut using a grinder, sheet metal is first laid on a flat surface.
Mark with chalk (marker) the exact dimensions of the cut out fragments on the surface of the sheet.
Sawing is carried out along the marked lines, without changing the angle of the initial inclination of the disk to the working surface, so that it does not jam and break the power tool.

If you do not have the skills to saw sheet metal with a grinder, it is recommended that you first practice on soft material- this will give you the opportunity to feel the operation of the instrument.

It is necessary to take into account that the lower proximal segment of the disc cuts metal more effectively.

When cutting a sheet of metal, the following recommendations should be taken into account to obtain a high-quality result.

To improve cooling, a sawing area is required water, which will also increase the life of the circle.
You should start cutting metal only when the disk is rotating: you cannot turn on the tool if the stationary circle is in contact with the surface of the workpiece.
To saw tin (thin sheet metal) or cut out various geometric shapes, it is more convenient to use small, worked out circles(“bits”)
You should not press the angle grinder with significant force: cutting should take place almost exclusively under the angle grinder’s own weight.
If the cutting wheel stops in the slot (when you turn off the power tool), you can resume work only after removing it.

If sawing the sheet occurs slowly, you should change the working nozzle. Excessive load on the angle grinder when cutting metal will lead to overheating or jamming of the rotating wheel.

Cutting a round hole in metal using an angle grinder

In practice, it is often necessary to cut a circle in metal, and the only tool available is an angle grinder. But it is quite enough for this purpose. The algorithm of actions is as follows.

Draw a circle with a compass on the surface of the metal or on a pre-made paper (cardboard) template with chalk or a marker.
Holding the grinder at an angle to the surface of the sheet, make a preliminary marking cut of the metal along the marked contour, making short movements with the disk (sawing in small sections).
Then, moving the nozzle in the same way, deepen the slot until it is completely cut out.

Need to cut along the outer contour of the circle so as not to reduce the size of the circle. If its diameter is small, then they cut by touching the metal with a disk point by point (without longitudinal movement of the nozzle). The round hole will have an oblique cut, as well as some minor flaws (they depend on the skill of the worker). Afterwards it is processed, if necessary.

The entire process of cutting a round hole in sheet metal using a special tool is shown in the video:

Features of working with thick metal, copper, cast iron, aluminum

When it is necessary to cut thick metal into separate fragments, it is recommended to additionally perform the following steps:

constantly cool the area of contact between the metal and the disk using cold water due to strong heating of the slot site;

make all cuts only in a straight line;
different curved contours should be cut out in separate straight sections of short length, removing unnecessary parts;
You need to completely cut the workpiece in several approaches, deepening the slot with each subsequent one;
if you need to cut corners, I-beams, channels, rails, then each of their structural parts is sawed separately.

Cutting cast iron, stainless steel, as well as non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum and copper, is carried out using special circles designed to work with these materials. All necessary information about the discs is contained in the markings of these products, printed on their sides. In this case, the circles differ in the composition of the fillers:

in some, the additive is a super-strong material that can cut alloy steel;
others use mild binders.

Cutting stainless steel with conventional metal cutting discs is prohibited, because they contain substances that lead to accelerated corrosion of the cut site. Aluminum and copper are very viscous non-ferrous metals. They are sawed using a grinder, pouring kerosene the slot formed by the disk. In this case, it is necessary to comply with fire safety rules.

Cutting pipes from different metals is a popular operation when carrying out repair and construction work. Products have to be cut off when installing sewer and heating systems and water lines. In this regard, the grinder copes well with various tasks. Discs for work are selected according to the material from which the pipe is made.

Using an angle grinder makes it possible to:

sawing pipes at different angles, for example 45 and 90 degrees;
cut large diameter products;
cut profile (rectangular or square) pipes smoothly;
perform longitudinal cutting of tubular blanks;
sawing cast iron pipes;
cut thin-walled tubes.

If you need to cut a large diameter pipe, then using a grinder allows you to complete this work without significant financial costs. But at the same time, labor productivity is low, and the risks are considerable. When long pipes lie on supports, only saw off hanging parts. If you cut in the center, the cutting edges will jam the cutting wheel, which will lead to jamming of the tool and possible injury.

Specialists not only cut pipes from different materials at the required angles, but also cut holes of the required shapes in them. Work with profile and round workpieces is carried out in a similar way, with mandatory observance of safety regulations.

Sawing pipes at different angles

It is necessary to cut round and profile pipes at an angle of 45 and 90 degrees when laying various communications. In any case, it is necessary to saw off the pipe evenly so that the elements that need to be connected are connected to each other as tightly as possible.

Res at an angle of 45 degrees cylindrical pipes are carried out as follows:

take an ordinary square sheet of paper;
fold it exactly diagonally;
This template is used to wrap the pipe;
apply chalk or other marking device future line cut;
remove the template;
clamp the workpiece in a vice;
cut off the marked piece of pipe.

When applying the template, either of the two short sides of this triangle should be parallel to the central axis of the pipe.

When to cut at an angle of 90 degrees, the pipes are simply wrapped in a circle (cylindrical) or around the perimeter (profile) with a sheet of paper. After this, mark the cutting line. You can also mark a profile pipe very simply using a regular square.

If it is necessary to cut a significant amount at an angle of 45 and 90 degrees profile pipes make appropriate templates from this material, only with a larger cross-section. This allows you to perform the required measurements only once. In this case, a construction square or a protractor is used for initial marking. When the template is made, the cut pieces are inserted inside it, marking the cut lines. Then sawing is done.

Templates are also made for other angle values. This method increases labor efficiency.

Features of cutting cast iron and thin-walled pipes

Cast iron is brittle material. To cut a cast iron pipe with a grinder, proceed in the following sequence:

mark the cutting line;
place a wooden block under the pipe, which will serve as a support for it;
make a cut along the contour several millimeters deep;
insert a chisel into the recess made;
the instruction is hit hard and sharply with a hammer.

After the impact, the pipe will split along the cut line. Its edges will be quite smooth. If necessary, they are further processed.

To perform longitudinal sawing of a pipe, it is also important precise marking. To apply it, various devices are used, for example, construction thread (“beat”). The entire sawing process should be carried out carefully, slowly, so as not to stray from the marked line.

Thin-walled pipes are one of the varieties of this type of product. They are often made of non-ferrous metals: copper or aluminum. Cutting them is a difficult task. In this case, you should use grinder wheels that match the material of the workpiece.

Sawing thin-walled tubes must be done very carefully, because they can easily become deformed even when a slight load is applied.

To reduce the likelihood of bending of the cut part, various bulk fillers are poured inside it, for example, ordinary purified sand.

Cutting corrugated sheets and metal tiles

Quite often in practice one has to face the need to cut a profile sheet or metal tile. These materials are made of steel, which is coated with zinc and polymer protective layers and painted.

People speak out about the possibility of using a grinder for cutting them different opinions. The installation instructions say that the corrugated sheet cannot be sawed using an angle grinder. To do this you need to use other tools. But they need to be purchased, which is not always justified by the volume of work to be done, and also requires additional financial investments. When there is no tool other than an angle grinder, before sawing with a grinder, you should know the possible Negative consequences.

If you cut metal tiles or corrugated sheets with an angle grinder, the protective coating in the cut area and a little near it will be destroyed, and the cut edge will begin to rust.
The material is removed from warranty.
Flying sparks can damage not only appearance the rest of the sheet (sear the paint), but also damage the polymer coating.
The edge of the cut may turn out torn.

All considered negative consequences can be minimized if you cut corrugated sheets or metal tiles with a grinder, following the following recommendations:

carry out all work immediately before installation;
treat cuts with anti-corrosion compounds;
cover the cut edges with a primer and paint;
use metal discs of minimal thickness (up to 1 mm);
To keep the edges neat, you need to cut quite quickly;
Carefully sand the torn edges.

Before sawing, as usual, carry out marking sheets.

If you need to cut a square, do this:

draw it on the surface of the sheet;
cut through the material along the marked contour with a grinder;
At the end, carefully cut out each corner.

Circles or other shapes are cut out using the same pattern.

Using a grinder for cutting metal tiles and corrugated sheets makes the job easier. It becomes more convenient to perform it, because you can adjust the sheets to size directly on the roof.

In order for metal tiles or corrugated sheets to remain under warranty, you should measure the object and order factory cutting of the sheets. You can also try to choose a material with dimensions such that trimming is not required.

Cutting metal with a grinder is cheap, practically accessible and quite effective method sawing it. In this case, appropriate discs without defects should be used for each material. Not only the quality of the result obtained, but also your own health will depend on this. When cutting metal, it is imperative to follow safety rules and use personal protective equipment. You should always remember that when working with an angle grinder, any shortcomings or inattention can result in injury. Therefore, you need to work with concentration and caution.

An angle grinder is considered an extremely dangerous piece of equipment, so it is important to know in advance how to properly cut metal with an angle grinder in order to avoid injuries and do the task well. It is necessary to ensure compliance with safety measures when working and use personal protective equipment: use a respirator, wear protective gloves or mittens, goggles, etc.

Cutting equipment must be used strictly for its intended purpose; all work is carried out using special metal circles. It is strictly not recommended to remove the protective cover. How to work with an angle grinder correctly, watch the video:

How to properly cut a metal corner with a grinder

You cannot start cutting metal with a grinder without obtaining the appropriate knowledge and some skills. The most important danger is the possibility of the cutting wheel jamming in the cutting zone and its subsequent destruction. When carrying out work, the grinder must be held firmly with both hands. You need to carry out the cutting strictly from yourself. The depth of the cut is determined by the diameter of the disc.

Cutting a metal corner has some nuances:

It is easier to cut a large corner (more than 60 mm) together with a partner. In a workshop, the workpiece is clamped in a bench vice or fixed with clamps on a fixed base. The corner is laid on the surface of the supporting structure (table, box, etc.) so that the cut edge hangs down, and its other part lies completely on the surface of the support. An assistant should press the workpiece and slightly pull it away from you to prevent the disc from biting. Cutting begins from the edge, moving towards the rib.
Cutting corners with smaller dimensions (up to 60 mm) can be carried out without the help of outsiders. The material to be cut is laid out supported on both shelves (edge up). The detachable part must be suspended and not touch the ground or floor. The remaining part is pressed down with the left foot (in the absence of rigid fixation) in order to hold the grinder with both hands. Cutting should begin from the edge, gradually going down and going deeper into the areas of the corner.

If the correct metal cutting technology is followed, the separated fragment will fall down under its own weight, thereby increasing the width of the cutting zone. The likelihood of disk jamming is minimized.

How to cut a pipe with a grinder

The technology for carrying out the work is as follows:

The pipe is secured in a vice or secured in another way. In this case, the cut part should hang down. It is not allowed to place the workpiece between two supports and make a cut in the middle, as the cutting blade will jam (due to sagging pipe).
Markings are applied using a strip of paper and masking tape. The ends of the tape should meet as accurately as possible. Home craftsmen recommend lowering the pipe into the liquid at the required angle, and then marking the cut line along the boundary between dry and wet.
The cut should be made from the top of the pipe, gradually lowering the angle grinder lower. The cutting disc should go along the very edge of the glued strip.

A large diameter pipe is cut a little differently, since the working part of the circle does not allow this to be done in one go. The wall is cut sector by sector, and the pipe is turned to the desired side.

How to cut aluminum with a grinder

To cut aluminum with a grinder, a different type of disc is used, since it is a soft metal and the cutting tool gets stuck in it. There are special cutting discs for aluminum and copper.

You should not try to make a cut in one pass, because cold hardening will form on the teeth of the cutting tool and it will become pinched in the material. The cut is performed carefully, without cutting through the metal all the way. You need to go through one place several times and avoid distortions. The process is quite slow, and the quality of the cut will be low. When cutting thick workpieces, experts recommend dripping kerosene into the cutting area. It is better to work with aluminum with a hand router, which allows you to perform figured cutting and make holes. Or you can do this:

Methods for cutting stainless steel

Stainless steel is an alloy steel that is quite difficult to process. This metal can be cut using 2 methods:

thermal (metal melts under the influence of high temperatures);
mechanical (cutting is carried out using a cutting tool by removing a layer of metal).

Thermal methods include:

Oxygen cutting (gas arc cutting). The metal melts under the influence of an electric arc. Oxygen supplied to the cutting zone promotes the combustion of metal and the removal of slag from the working area.
Electroerosive cutting. The cutting process involves destroying the surface of the workpiece under the influence of an electrical discharge.
Waterjet cutting. The metal is separated by a thin jet of abrasive mixture supplied under ultra-high pressure.
Laser cutting. The treatment is carried out with a thin laser beam.
Plasma cutting. A plasma jet acts as a cutting tool.

Machining of stainless steel is carried out using the following tools:

Metal scissors. They cope with sheets with a thickness of no more than 0.5-1 mm.
A circular saw. Cutting is carried out using a cutting abrasive wheel. This method can be used to cut thick parts.
Angle grinder. When cutting metal with a grinder, special thin stainless steel discs with a diameter of 125 mm are used. Non-specialized equipment can subsequently cause corrosion in the metal.

According to the cutting rules, the part must be securely fastened or rested against something, otherwise the workpiece may be pulled to the side and the cut will be damaged. It will be necessary to additionally process the cut edge if you cut without following the technology.

Cutting cast iron with a grinder

Cast iron is a rather fragile metal, but very durable, so it is recommended to use diamond-coated discs for cutting it. You can cut cast iron with simple metal discs, but they are much less durable. You can cut this material with a grinder only in a straight line. Any attempt to make a figured cut can lead to jamming of the cutting wheel. As a result, under heavy loads, the abrasive element is destroyed and its parts flying out at high speed can seriously injure people nearby. But it’s better to cut cast iron with a saw, as in the video:

You can use a grinder for cutting cast iron only when using a respirator (a lot of dust is generated), protective plastic glasses and gloves. Bakelite bonded cutting equipment is more suitable for this work. Ceramic bonded discs have a much smaller margin of safety.

A grinder for working with metal is the best solution. This versatile tool allows you to use it not only for cutting, but also for polishing, stripping, grinding metal and many other operations.