4" diameter 1018 steel

[andrewgr]

So, I've made a mistake.

I placed an order for some metal. I just wanted some basics in the shop. I got about 60 pounds of remnants in steel/aluminium/brass, and then some specific alloys. Mostly, I ordered reasonable amounts in reasonable sizes.

But, the 4" diameter 1018 round steel... I wanted 12", but then the price to get a second foot was much less than double the cost of the first foot. And then the next foot... well, to my great embarrassment, I wound up ordering a four foot long piece. Woops.

It weighs far too much for me to move around on my own without a dolly, and even getting it on the dolly is hard. I think it's like 176 pounds, and I'm not a big or strong guy.

"No problem," I said to my newbie self. "I have a Dewalt portable band saw! I have an 8 TPI blade for it! I shall saw it in half, and emerge victorious!"

Well... not so much. The saw is barely putting a scratch in it. The teeth will be worn down to small, shapeless nubs before I get a quarter of an inch into it. And then, I can't imagine how the blade would even continue down, surely it's going to get stuck on the walls that it's making as it cuts?

So, after you finish laughing... what would an actual, realistic cutting strategy be? What tool do I need for this job? I've never done any welding or used any plasma tools or anything like that, but if I know what I'm looking for, I might be able to hire someone with the proper tool to swing by my garage and cut it into pieces for me.

 

[Shootymacshootface]

Just buy a blade made to cut that material.
Look for it at Mcmaster Carr.

 

[matthewsx]

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and

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You will have to rotate the piece and it will take a little while but this will get it done for less than a good bandsaw blade.

John

 

[mmcmdl]

Starrett® 12" Adjustable Heavy-Duty Closed Grip Hacksaw - 197478 - Northern Safety Co., Inc.

www.northernsafety.com

Check back next week !

 

[Reddinr]

This Old Tony just uses a hammer and chisel or a quick karate chop. Just takes a second or so.

 

[Badabinski]

I have actually cut through a 4340 2.5" round bar with a hacksaw before. An hour and a half later, and I decided my very next shop purchase was going to be a horizontal bandsaw.

EDIT: I'll second what was said above, you can get dedicated blades for cutting steel. I've never used a portable bandsaw so I don't know what's available, but I've loved the Starrett blades I purchased for my horizontal.

 

[Tozguy]

So, I've made a mistake.

I placed an order for some metal. I just wanted some basics in the shop. I got about 60 pounds of remnants in steel/aluminium/brass, and then some specific alloys. Mostly, I ordered reasonable amounts in reasonable sizes.

But, the 4" diameter 1018 round steel... I wanted 12", but

hire someone with the proper tool to swing by my garage and cut it into pieces for me.

Since you will ultimately have to cut the pieces again in the future to specific lengths to suit different projects, it would make sense to tool up so you can cut it yourself.
This is an entry level saw as an example BUT you will get lots of useful info from members here about the cost/performance tradeoffs of different models.

4" x 6" 3/4 HP Metal-Cutting Bandsaw - Grizzly Industrial

<h1>G0622 4" x 6" 3/4 HP Metal-Cutting Bandsaw</h1> <h2>A great mobile bandsaw for small shops and workspaces.</h2><p>The G0622 4" x 6" 3/4 HP Metal-Cutting Bandsaw was designed to cut 4-1/2" round and 4-1/2" x 6 rectangular metal stock. It can cut in either horizontal or vertical positions.</p>...

www.grizzly.com

 

[SLK001]

I would use a cut-off disk in an angle grinder. Since your stock is 4", you'll need a 7" angle grinder, since a 4-1/2" can't reach the center. Or, use the 4-1/2" and finish with a hacksaw. Do THAT once and you'll rush out to get yourself a 7" grinder.

 

[JimDawson]

Your DeWalt saw with an 8 tooth blade sounds like the correct tool. But you need a good bi-metal blade on it. Don't force it, just let it cut at its own speed. I've had pretty good luck with Milwaukee portable band saw blades, maybe those will fit your DeWalt.

If this is a piece of hot rolled 1018 and it has mill scale on it, then grind off the mill scale in the cut area. That stuff is like carbide, destroys cutting tools fast.

 

[matthewsx]

I would use a cut-off disk in an angle grinder. Since your stock is 4", you'll need a 7" angle grinder, since a 4-1/2" can't reach the center. Or, use the 4-1/2" and finish with a hacksaw. Do THAT once and you'll rush out to get yourself a 7" grinder.

Or a horizontal bandsaw....

The 7" abrasive blades can definitely be a handful, 4 1/2" is easier to control and you can rotate the stock to get through it but the resulting cut will definitely be ugly.

The bandsaw will be good for making fairly accurate cuts that will be much easier to face on the lathe. The 4x6 horizontal saw has the advantage of not having to hold the tool the whole time the cut is being made, get a spray bottle with some cutting fluid and pull up a chair while the machine does the work.

John