For fabricators and steel workers, it is important to know the basics of steel work to ensure quality result and productivity. Check out some of these helpful Tips. These are ideal for newbies and career fabricators.

Metal cutting

To make jobs easier when cutting, make sure you have at least three different blades for different functions present at your work station so that you don’t have to run looking for one when you need it.

Hole saw cutting

You must first start the pilot hole and saw until the blade touches the surface of the material. This will create an outline for the hole’s diameter. You have to drill ¼” holes inside the scored circle made by the hole saw. Finish creating the hole with the hole saw. The several drilled holes will be where the metal chips will fall through. This will enable the saw to cut more easily and your hole saw to extend its life.

Cutting threaded rod

There is a specific steel cutting blade for cutting threaded rod. Stainless steel threaded rod also has its own specific cutter. Cutting the rod would require you to insert it between two pieces of wood to secure the rod while not destroying the threads.

Do not force the blade into the material but instead, let it do the cutting. The result will be a finer cut. Screw the nut into the end of the rod once the task is done.

Cutting steel studs

Use a saw and a 14” stud-cutting blade when cutting steel studs.

For cutting just one stud, you will have to nest the stud to make a good grip with the vise. Let the vise grip do the holding down and do not use your hands. Look for a scrap to use as guide and slide it behind the cut.

This technique is much faster compared to using abrasive wheels. For cutting bundles of studs, you will need to use a simple fixture to secure the studs.

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