will a sawzall cut it??
will a sawzall cut it?? I need to notch the frame on my Tahoe to fit my intercooler. I have an 18V sawzall, but I doubt that it would do the job. Would a corded sawzall be up to it or do I need a plasma cutter?
well..you can cut it a grinder if you wanted to..it would just take you like 2 weeks..its all about what kind of patience you have..if you have access to a torch that would be great..but a plasma cutter...WHEW...those things make QUICK work of most anything you can get ahold of..god if i only had the money for one...its so easy..no gas to worry about...and such a clean cut...
Adkoonerstrator
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From: Deep in the seedy underworld of Koonerville
Yeah, just get the right blade for the job. I've never used a battery recip saw so I can't comment on that but, the 120 volt ones will cut just about anything with the right blade.
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/milwaukee/48-00-5184/
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/milwaukee/48-00-5184/
Just try it. If it doesn't work, get the 120V Sawzall. I know it will cut it, I built the bumpers on my Blazer out of 3/16th steel. I've actually used it to cut 3/4 inch steel before when I made my "D" ring mounts.
Here is the bumper-
Take a look at that, surely that frame won't be any more work than that.
Here is the bumper-
Take a look at that, surely that frame won't be any more work than that.
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Now that I think about it, I may try it with my 18V sawzall at home first and see how that does. I dont think I'll be doing too much frame cutting to warrant buying a more powerful one 
Adkoonerstrator
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From: Deep in the seedy underworld of Koonerville
Originally Posted by greentahoe
Now that I think about it, I may try it with my 18V sawzall at home first and see how that does. I dont think I'll be doing too much frame cutting to warrant buying a more powerful one
while waiting for them to charge back up. 
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Coastal NC
We cut a totaled chevy pick up in half and made a trailer out of the bed. We took the engine and trans out, got in the engine compartment and used a Tiger Saw (its a different brand) and cut through the frame just behind where the front suspension was mounted. It took about three minutes on each side. It was just a plain old metal cutting saw blade too, nothing special. I was surprised that the frame cut so easy. I since found out that the frames are just plain steel not hardened or anything, they get there strength from the way they are bent etc.
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From: NY
My friend brought a used bronco and it had a snow plow attachment on it. He used the snowplow once and didn't want to use it anymore (plow rusted to hell on the top) and he used a 120V sawzill to cut the plow attachment from the lower frame to the plow! We're talking about 1/2" to 3/4" thick steel!
There's rental sawzills at most local tool rental centers.
There's rental sawzills at most local tool rental centers.
Originally Posted by CMcCarthy
I have a corded DeWalt sawzall, and I've yet to run into something it wouldn't cut if you're using the correct blade. Hell, very seldom does it slow down if you're using the wrong blade.
) 
Do yourself a favor and just go rent a plasma cutter. It will be 50 bucks for a day and will save you alot of headaches and can make any cut you need like circular or anything else you can think of.
Any idea as to how to position the sawzall to connect the two cuts to complete the notch on the interior of the frame? Its not like these things turn on a dime and I have to get it in there to finish making the cuts.
BTW my 18V sawzall cut through the frame very easily, but I had to recahrge the batteries after doing a single frame rail.
BTW my 18V sawzall cut through the frame very easily, but I had to recahrge the batteries after doing a single frame rail.
Make a few more cuts, a series of "V" type cuts. Once you get enough cut out with the "V"s, then you can cut across whats left. Do you have a hand grinder,,,, they are hany things, cheap too.
