cutting stainless for exhaust

[pushrods]

I'm curious what everyone here would suggest for cutting 304 stainless 16g 3" tubing. I've got a tiny 1.5 car garage that doesn't have much room for a. Stationary bandsaw, so I've been eyeballing an Evolution 14" Rage 2. Chop saw for the occasional stainless exhaust work on my friends cars or my truck and turbo build. The main use will be for chopping exhaust tube and maybe some mild sch 40 peices for a turbo maifold.

[rabidchimp]

I've heard those saws don't do too well on the stainless, but I've cut plenty of similarly sized material on a regular chop saw, $179 will get you a nice Ridgid 14" saw.
-Aaron

[DougAustinTX]

Agreed on the chop saw. I just finished a 4" stainless dual exhaust on a '69 Camaro and all cuts were made on the chop saw. Then outside edges were trued and deburred on a stationary belt sander, while inside edges were deburred with a carbide burr. I mig a few spot welds in place while under the car to get the angles right, then remove to tig.

[Albie]

Got a Rage 2 last year. Cuts square tube 2"x1/4 and same same angle great. Still using the supplied blade, which is kind of a universal. Have to get a better blade for steel and a blade for stainless. Needs a dedicated blade for certain materials. To me, it is way better than a abrasive type saw. Opinions will differ.

[Donoharm]

angle grinder + cutting disc 1mm + wraparound

[fortyonethirty]

Abrasive is the way to cut thin stainless. Stainless will dull the carbide blades very quickly. And on the thin stuff the carbide blades tend to "grab" the material and deform it or fling it across the shop.

A disc sander works well for squaring the cut ends, belt sander also works well, but I prefer the disc.

[Jürgen]

I have a Makita LC1230 dry cut saw with a blade for stainless. The blade is about $200.
Not a cheap solution, but the cuts are perfect with no sparks.

[pushrods]

I've read some reviews on the Evolutions chop and you can get them for 309 shipped online with a multi metal blade. Some of the automotive fab guys on Honda-tech use them in their shops and have nothing but positive things to say about them. I've also been keeping an eye on craigslist for a used ridged or Millwakee chop saw and just picking up a 14" blade for stainless. I've used chop saws at work for cutting metal studs and they worked fine, I just disliked changing the abrasive blades.

I've built a 2.5 to 3" stainless y pipe and full exhaust for the stainless headers on my 95 Dakota sport using just a cut off wheel and a hacksaw and it sucks. Then I still need to fab a downpipe for my turbo ecotec project and my buddy's turbo cavalier build as well and I'm not going to spend forever hacking away and swapping blades every 2-5 cuts.

[pushrods]

Well I just picked up a milwakee porta band deep cut for 150 so this will hold me over till I get a chop saw.

[VPT]

I was just going to post to look for a portable band saw. They aren't as versatile as say a sawzal but they do a great job!

[Showdog75]

Originally Posted by pushrods

Well I just picked up a milwakee porta band deep cut for 150 so this will hold me over till I get a chop saw.

Now buy yourself the fixture that swag offroad sells for a port a band and you will have yourself a nice set-up.

[pushrods]

Thanks for the input on the fixture I'll look into that.

[pushrods]

Showdog- that is one cool add on for the portaband......I'm going to order one shortly. Thanks again for the tip.

[walker]

I bought one of the Evolution hand held metal cutting saws. I won't buy another Evolution product. I also agree with either the zip wheels or abrasive for what you are doing.

[pushrods]

Thanks fo the input guys, I'll use my 4 /2 cutoff wheels and my porablt milwakee band saw. I just placed an order for v3.0 poraband table and can't wait for it to arrive.

[OffshoreNDT]

thanks for the recomendation to swag offroad awesome stuff on there

[pushrods]

Just n update, my swag offroad v3.0 table came in on Saturday and it kicks some ***. I love how easy this simple add on made things for me in the garage. I took some 16g 3" 304 stainless tube and made a tight radius 90degree bend for my turbo cavalier build after work tonight. Went very well andhere are some pics.

[rabidchimp]

Nice work there. I never liked cutting tube on a vertical band saw. I need to get a metal cutting blade for my vertical Jet. Its a big bastard I got for super cheap when a local wrecking yard went outta business. They used it for cutting down radiators.
-Aaron

[VPT]

Sorry for the small pic but there is also this attachment for the band saw essentially turning it into a horizontal band saw. Also a very nice deal and great for a small shop. Helps 100% to make pipe cuts like you want to do.

[VPT]

In fact now that you have the tools you could probably make that attachment.

[pushrods]

VPT I did see that pic and actually the bandsaw case has a small booklet with parts and whatnot and that is listed in there but way to pricey for me. The Swag table fits the bill perfectly for now.