Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TowerTalk] cutting galvanized tower legs

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] cutting galvanized tower legs
From: "Roger (K8RI)" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Date: Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:22:11 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>

On 7/31/2010 10:48 PM, Brahmangou@aol.com wrote:
> On A tower leg in tension, an angle grinder or circular saw would be  about
> the most dangerous tools available for the job. Both are unstable and tend
> to hard to control. They have a very dangerous tendency to jump in the
> direction  opposite the rotation. On the angle grinder, the grinding disks are
> prone to  catastrophic failure if pinched between the cut edges. I don't
> think I need to  mention the flying shards of metal from cutting metal with a
> circular saw.
> Grinders are for grinding.
> Circular saws are for wood.
>    

I have several saws, both pneumatic and electric that use relatively 
high speed cutting abrasive disks, including a cut-off saw that were 
designed specifically for cutting metal.  You use the proper safety 
equipment which includes a full face shield meant for this kind of work, 
leather gloves, knowledge of the the equipment and how to properly use 
it,  and usually a leather shop apron and don't forget a shirt or jacket 
with long sleeves made of a rather durable material and not a thin 
synthetic.

Like an Oxy Acetylene cutting torch it takes knowing how to use the 
equipment and practice so you know what to expect if a blade or wheel 
binds.

My preference for this type of work is the small, air powered, cut off 
saw that uses about a 3" diameter, high speed, relatively thin abrasive 
disk.  I even use a small one with a true rotating saw blade for 
slotting tubing.  Now there is something that can grab and you do not 
want any body parts in the direction that sicker is going to jump. Also 
if it jumps you are probably going to be starting over on slotting what 
is now a bit shorter piece of tube.

I have to plead guilty to not liking a saws-all. It's just too much 
weight and too big to easily handle when up the side of a tower.

73

Roger (K8RI)
> Reciprocating saws are for trashing about anything safely.
> Marty
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>    
_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>