Metal Cutting Tools?

Question

What is more evective for cutting thick metals and less time comusing.

1. Plasma cutter

2. Thermic lance

If there is other metal cutting tool out there please state the name.

Answer 1

Hi this am a welder speaking, thermic lances are not really used for the accurate cutting of metals,you are probably thinking of the old myth of opening safes with them.believe you me if you tried to open a safe with one by the time you would have finished the contents would be buggered even diamonds. they are.mainly used to remove funace linings,and remove reinforced concrete etc.I used to hold a licence for them, never again the safety gear itself used to weigh a ton.

Answer 2

Jasis the hack saw does the job

Answer 3

When i saw a Thermite lance used it didn't work that great. It seams to be best used for drilling holes but not really cutting.

plasma is really use on "middle road" material not really anything i would call thick.

A torch is used the most for cutting thick metal fast.

You could also use a laser , water jet and a bandsaw.

Answer 4

Laser, it is used for rapid cutting of thick sheet metal, such as that for "Tank" armour.

Answer 5

Definitely Laser mate, some people still uses water (high pressure) as well - water is still the cheapest method.

Answer 6

the problem with the laser cutter is that you still have to machine away the heat affected zone, especially for 'tank' armour, or you will get liquacious cracking.

Plasma jetting is worse I agree but doesnt require the same high tech ( spelt expensive) setting up and outlay.

Water jet cutting does away with the need for this. You need to look at the thickness you are cutting through. There is no one 'best for all' solution.

sometimes even the old hacksaw is best

Answer 7

diamond