Leaf spring HACK - Metal Cutter

[Let'sLearnSomething]

Let's Learn Something: Project no.18

Good day guys
Today i will show to you how i make this straight sheet/metal cutter using leaf spring that i got in the junkyard.
Using 10mm metal plate.

Quotes: (Abhinav)
"Work while they sleep, Learn while they party, Save while they spend, Then live like they dream."

[piloon]

Yep, my cutter uses HD truck leaf spring as the blade.
Works just great.

[madokie]

good vid and all BUT,, this guy needs to learn basic metal working skills that include the word SAFETY !!! i mean REALLY ,, holding plates while u drill a hole in the drill press ??? !!!! and using a wood block to support a steel part while u drill through it ???!!!! use a vise or clamp part down to table.or at the very least mount a bolt in the table slot so the part cant sling around, u have the part against the side of bolt when starting drilling,,.that table moves around once you loosen the clamps and there is a reason for that..u clamp part down on table,so that drill bit will go through center hole or a slot after it drills the part,,loosen drill press column and table clamps,, get part exactly where you want it, tighten those clamps back up, and drill away.the center hole and slots are in the table for that reason,and to use metal clamps to bolt down a part to the table,like u would on a milling machine,yes i know the table is on the small side but u can still do that...as to when you have two identical parts that need holes drilled in them(C shaped parts) first line them up flat together.clamp together, and tack weld in 4 places equally spaced apart spots,on the sides where they meet,, then drill holes,and grind off tack welds. the two holes will be exactly in the same spot..faster too..dont grind down welds to make it look smoother, just weakens the weld and some people will think u just bolted it together, since they can t see any welds..and your drill press needs some attention too, u can see the table flex down when drilling , that shouldnt happen,dull drill bits?? if u have too make a support, even a 2x4 with a notch to hold up the table will help make staighter holes.your next project could be a adjustable table support made of pipe and all thread.but your table and column clamps may just need work .. good luck..and seeing how u have internet access,, its not hard to find Machine shop and welding manuals FREE on line,and learn the right and safe way to make things..

[Let'sLearnSomething]

Thank you bro

[wizard69]

Actually drilling into wood or aluminum is a fairly regular practice! But yes any drill bit of size requires clamping the work piece or otherwise restraining it. One of the reasons I do this rather often is to avoid the creation of a big burr on the exit side. That backing material also greatly reduces the chance of the drill bit catching as it plunged through the last bit of material. Drilling through into air actually is more problematic in my mind. Even in the case of using a vise I try to back the metal I’m drilling with something when I can.

Otherwise you make good points about restraining the work piece. I’ve seen some horrific injuries in the workplace over the years. Usually they involve somebody in a hurry. Safety is important! Besides it really grossed out the guy that has to remove body parts from the machine that you left behind in your rush to the hospital.

good vid and all BUT,, this guy needs to learn basic metal working skills that include the word SAFETY !!! i mean REALLY ,, holding plates while u drill a hole in the drill press ??? !!!! and using a wood block to support a steel part while u drill through it ???!!!! use a vise or clamp part down to table.or at the very least mount a bolt in the table slot so the part cant sling around, u have the part against the side of bolt when starting drilling,,.that table moves around once you loosen the clamps and there is a reason for that..u clamp part down on table,so that drill bit will go through center hole or a slot after it drills the part,,loosen drill press column and table clamps,, get part exactly where you want it, tighten those clamps back up, and drill away.the center hole and slots are in the table for that reason,and to use metal clamps to bolt down a part to the table,like u would on a milling machine,yes i know the table is on the small side but u can still do that...as to when you have two identical parts that need holes drilled in them(C shaped parts) first line them up flat together.clamp together, and tack weld in 4 places equally spaced apart spots,on the sides where they meet,, then drill holes,and grind off tack welds. the two holes will be exactly in the same spot..faster too..dont grind down welds to make it look smoother, just weakens the weld and some people will think u just bolted it together, since they can t see any welds..and your drill press needs some attention too, u can see the table flex down when drilling , that shouldnt happen,dull drill bits?? if u have too make a support, even a 2x4 with a notch to hold up the table will help make staighter holes.your next project could be a adjustable table support made of pipe and all thread.but your table and column clamps may just need work .. good luck..and seeing how u have internet access,, its not hard to find Machine shop and welding manuals FREE on line,and learn the right and safe way to make things..

[JeffEck]

Punctuation and capitalization help the reader to understand... When judging others, it is good to make sure you are on solid ground and not using glass as a shield. Above all else, why attack?

Let's Learn Something, Thanks for the video. I had not thought of using leaf springs in this manner. Be careful, I have been bitten by my machines before and having an arm in a cast and cuts stitched together does hurt a great deal! Keep up the good work!

[DIYer]

Thanks Let'sLearnSomething! We've added your Metal Cutter to our Metalworking category,
as well as to your builder page: Let'sLearnSomething's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Metal Cutter by Let'sLearnSomething

tags: sheetmetal, cutter

[N00b Machinist]

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned the 600 pound gorilla in the video: LLS's McGyveresque bicycle-chain driven, oxyacetylene saw. That doesn't look like your off-the-rack piece of kit.

Cool factor and straight cuts?! You make that, too?

[NortonDommi]

Quotes: (Abhinav)
"Work while they sleep, Learn while they party, Save while they spend, Then live like they dream." - What a wonderful saying. I used to live like that and then I stupidly got married.

[N00b Machinist]

I would imagine your lovely Kiwi bride fulfills the fourth part of that prophesy.