Raven Rider Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 As stated in my other thread I have some forklift forks to make an anvil out of. I tried yesterday to cut one down with my heavy duty chop saw it only took a couple of nicks out of it before I gave up 1.5 hrs later!? Anyone know how to cut it? Torch is the only way I see now but I don't have one yet. I figure bu the time I buy a torch, gases and the other items I could of just bought a proper Anvil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I think part of what is going on with your chop saw is the material hardened at the cut. I think if you take a good sized hand grinder (at least a 5" but a 7 or 9" would be better) and used a .035 thick 6" cutting wheel you could chop it off in no time. I would think in 10 min or less you could bifurcate it The key is the very thin blade has much less to remove than the 1/8" one on a chop saw.. and keep the wheel moving back and forth in the cut with even pressure... will gnaw away pretty easily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 This might be a case when you should make friends with someone with a smoke wrench! No need to buy your own when a sixpack might get the cut done some Friday afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Yeah.... I would say that would be a good plan... If you where close Id be willing to help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Did you say you were in the Phoenix area? PM me if you are and I will see if I can find help but don't hold your breath, I almost scream in pain every time I phart. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Rider Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 Mr. Benitron1946 you have mail. Mesa,AZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 i think wash it out is the way to go but..a high amp welder and a 3/32 rod and gouge.any way good luck and hope it works for you,jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Budd Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 I've got several forklift spike anvils that I use for teaching. They were cut off originally at the scrapyard I got them from by the owner with a torch (on a windy day), it wasn't clean but it worked. I've recently (last week) decided to modify them somewhat and needed to cut them in half. All I have is a 9" angle grinder with a thin cutting disc in it. The steel was 4x2" and it took 10 or 15 minutes to cut it through. worked half way through all round and it only wore a couple of inches off the disc in the process. I then welded it to some box section (all I had), heat treated the now 4x4x2" steel face and filled the box with lead. Having tried it out this weeekend I'm very happy with it :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 You might look around and see if someone has a plasma cutter. Fast clean and easy. If your were close I would be glad to do it for you, but looks like a 12 hr drive might not be a good plan. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavala Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 I don't think you're being aggresive enough with your hot saw. I've cut train rail with mine. You got to bare down on it. Also check the disc I've made the mistake of buying masonery discs or ones for aluminium before and they don't cut for xxxx on steel go figure huh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragons lair Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Thing is train rail is only hard on top. Fork tine is HARD all the way through. Seen a few folks bear down too hard and explode a disk. Torch is way to go. Plasma is great if you can afford a big enough unit. My 2050 Miller (over 2 grand will only sever 1" Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 I don't think you're being aggresive enough with your hot saw. I've cut train rail with mine. You got to bare down on it. Also check the disc I've made the mistake of buying masonery discs or ones for aluminium before and they don't cut for crap on steel go figure huh. On that note the ones for steel don't work too well on masonry! It'll go through an odd firebrick in a pinch, but you really want to use the correct disks for the correct job. Discs are not created equal, and quality disks are worth the extra money as they cut better, faster, and last longer. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Rider Posted March 23, 2010 Author Share Posted March 23, 2010 I'm using the correct disc and it's a good one not Harbor Freight. I did bear down and down and down, it cuts only to a certain depth then stops. I will try the angle grinder 4 1/2" first and if it looks like it will work then I'll be off to get a 9" angle grinder. I would rather cut it clean with a grinder/hot saw but if it does not work I'll get someone to cut it with a torch. Thanks for all the replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkaschner Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Just a thought... has the disc become glazed? This has happened to me in the past. Running a grinder dressing tool across the edge really brings it back to life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Rider Posted March 23, 2010 Author Share Posted March 23, 2010 I'll check it tonight thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder19 Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 The hand held grinders not only have thinner cutting discs but also have a much higher rpm, as was mentioned above, keep it moving, don't stay in one place. If your gonna stay with metal working your gonna want to get a oxy/acet torch at some point any way, you can also save some money by going oxy/propane and the larger the bottle you get the less you pay for gas (at most places). I switched to propane a couple years ago and I love it, I have 2 100lb bottles and run the forge, oxy torch and crucible furnace all off of the same bottle, and you can have them come right to the house and fill the propane bottles, and if you ever run out you cn steal the bottle off of the bbq grill. welder19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 And vice versa; we have a propane kitchen stove (no natural gas out in the sticks) and when it runs out my wife has me connect up one of the forge bottles until I get the other refilled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sask Mark Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 I don't think you should look at the oxy/acetylene as a cost for doing 1 job (cutting the fork). You will probably use it many times over the years, not just for cutting, but for doing quick heats on small pieces etc. Maybe it's just the tool-geek in me talking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Russell Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Ok , having been in the forklift ind i've cut fork tinnes with gas axe , chop saw , 9" grinder & power hacksaw Gas axe is the fastest if you don't mind the ruff edge Chop saw takes a bit of laying into 9" grinder ... care to be taken doing this ( & we all know why ) Power hacksaw , of late i've been cutting a lot with power hacksaw , being 1040 steel the make good dies for odd items under my power hammer . Takes time , but i do other things while waiting for it to finish , checking from time to time that everythings ok Dale Russell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 well ime in apache junction and ive got a cutting torch .. if ya can get it here i can cut it . ive also got some mainline rail that would make a good first time anvil .. send me a message . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 If ya can't afford the tools, get to be friends with someone, or a shop,who does. Check with your local junior college/high school shop program-hint,hint. Not all torch cuts are rough,cuts done with a track machine can come out super clean. A skilled operator can also do a nice job. A Porta-band would also probably do a good job. On the chop saw, are you cutting through the thin edge, or the face. Should go through faster edgewise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 Just thought about notching with a cold chisel and breaking like RR track used to be cut. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Rider Posted March 24, 2010 Author Share Posted March 24, 2010 Got home from work and tried my 41/2" angle grinder. It work like a champ until I wore out my disc and only had one more that was near worn out. Only took about 20 min. not too bad for a little grinder. I have only a 1/2" to go so I'll get some more disc's and go at her again. So off to get the second fork and cut it up too. I have a friend that does have the torch and welders (Arc/mig/tig). I have a 110 vac mig but will go over to his house to burn some rod. I'll post some pictures when it's done in 2 weeks. BTW I will be gathering the proper tools as money and time permits. Thanks again for all the replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Rider Posted March 24, 2010 Author Share Posted March 24, 2010 Any suggestions on which Arc welding rod to use to attach the top to the bottom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 can you post a sketch of your plan? Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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