Cutting metal?

[TheThing]

I've got a metal bar that was originally for mounting a guide scope. I need to have it cut down in size to make a 'dovetail' of sorts.

It's about 5-6mm thick, so beyond my capabilities with a jigsaw.

Any ideas please?

TheThing

[JamesF]

Do you know what sort of metal it is? If it's aluminium then I'd probably give it a go with a hacksaw. If it's steel I might be more tempted to take the angle grinder to it and clean it up afterwards, but failing that take it to someone who has the appropriate tools for the job.

James

[TheThing]

Steel I think. I can drill thru it with an electric drill ok, albeit slowly!

TheThing

[x6gas]

A hacksaw should get through that, albeit with a lot of elbow grease. Dremel / cutting disc / angle grinder otherwise.

[Zakalwe]

It'll almost certainly be aluminium. Stick a magent on it to test it.

If it's ally, then a hacksaw will go through it like a knife through butter. Get a coarse blade.

[TheThing]

Thanks gents .

There is nothing the collective knowledge of SGL doesn't know!

TheThing

[ollypenrice]

To add to collective knowledge of SGL angle grinders, wonderful things, also go nicely through tibias, fibias, skulls, bank vaults and concrete bomb shelters...

Olly

[BargeGazer]

If steel then I go along with the grinder with a good disc on it. I use a disc for cutting stainless steel as it cuts much better and lasts longer. I have cut 6mm with a jigsaw with a decent, fine toothed blade but slowly and with plenty of cutting oil.

If Aluminium I would certainly give the jigsaw a go.

Alternatively find your local metal jobbing shop, metal stockist or garage who will have a decent bandsaw / mechanical hacksaw and will cut it in no time. Probably for a donation to their "coffee fund".

David

[faulksy]

when you drilled it was the swarff big and curly or normal, if it was big ang curly it would be alloy if small it is steel, or as said use a magnet to check for iron.

[crashtestdummy]

+1` for angle grinder with a cutting disc

[earth titan]

6mm thick? Hacksaw folks followed by a file! Won't take a mo! Would avoid angle grinder personally. Hardly precision equipment and sooo easy to do yourself a mischief.

[glowjet]

As has been said, standard full size Hacksaw with an 18 TPI good quality high Speed steel blade, ( not one from China ) will cut either 6mm steel or alloy, but make sure you hold you bar in a vice though, finish off with a file

John.