Best Tool To Cut SS Structural Bolts

[vonchris7]

Hi,


I'm taking on a project that involves replacing a structural metal plate underneath the bowsprit.



I need to hack through some stainless steel bolts.



Looking for recommendations for an electric saw or whatever it takes to do so.


Thank you,


Chris

[Training Wheels]

Sawzall

[Paul54]

I would try a sawzall. Use a fine tooth blade and maybe some cutting oil. Not lubricating oil, but cutting or threading oil. Slower speeds work better. You may need to go through multiple blades. If it does not seem to be cutting well, stop. You may need to try something different. Continuing on will only harden the stainless steel and make it even harder to cut.

[GrowleyMonster]

Sawzall, yeah. With the correct blade. Or an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. Use proper protective equipment. Tether your power tools so they don't drop in the water. Air tools are preferred on ships, so we don't have to worry about mixing electricity and water. If you have an air compressor, you REALLY need an air powered angle grinder. Any steel on your boat? Then get a needle gun, too. Angle grinder with 5/8" arbor and you can mount grinding disks, cutoff wheels, wire wheels or cup brushes, lots of cool stuff. Sanding disks, forgot about that. Make sure you are not throwing metal and/or abrasive particles on other boats. Sweep up your mess from concrete piers immediately and blow it down if possible. Makes rust stains. Even from stainless steel.

[a64pilot]

Takes a BIG air compressor to run air tools, your Hooka compressor won't do it.
Sawsall is preferable to a grinder, even though they are SS, I'd tape the area around the work area to keep any grindings off of the deck, SS grindings can rust too.

If you can wring off the bolts that may be the way to go, you may get lucky and and few come loose

[bad.wabbit]

If you can dry-fit everything and measure, and/or cut your bolts before assembly you can pick your weapon of choice. It’s not hard to clean up the threads after cutting using a file. A cutoff blade on a grinder obviously puts out a bunch of red hot metal flakes so you need to prep for that. If a sawzall doesn’t fit, a multi-tool like a Fein can do the job with the right blade.

[Reefmagnet]

it's the 21st century. Sawzalls, grinders and even Dremels are now available in cordless varieties. Perfect for boat use.

[Cheechako]

If you mean bolts you are installing, dry fit everything and cut them to length before installation,. A Hack saw is pretty quick really in a vise.

[Chotu]

I'd use a grinder or Dremel.

[GrowleyMonster]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

it's the 21st century. Sawzalls, grinders and even Dremels are now available in cordless varieties. Perfect for boat use.

Yeah. But also the biggest ripoff going. Every brand has about 4 types of battery and they phase them out a lot quicker than the tool wears out, and they are not cheap. I just tossed a cordless jigsaw and two drills last year because can't get the batteries any more. I am now down to ONE cordless drill. All my other drills and power tools are good old fashioned cord type. I hate cordless. Just my rant for the day. Sorry. I feel better now.

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by GrowleyMonster

Yeah. But also the biggest ripoff going. Every brand has about 4 types of battery and they phase them out a lot quicker than the tool wears out, and they are not cheap. I just tossed a cordless jigsaw and two drills last year because can't get the batteries any more. I am now down to ONE cordless drill. All my other drills and power tools are good old fashioned cord type. I hate cordless. Just my rant for the day. Sorry. I feel better now.

True, but it is possible to get batteries repacked in many cases, especially the old Nicad types. These days with lion, the mfrs appear to have settled on standards (non interchangeable, of course).

[mike d.]

wizz wheel. cut off off is the easiest, if you are doing after fit work! Just mark with a magic marker pen when installed the undo, put in a vise cut, and bevel edges with he wheel ! It is wicked easy if you put the nut on before cut! As the nut will straighten the threads when you take it off ! If you are talking about seized nuts, and bolts/screws, wiz wheel down the center of the bolt/nut, and it will fall off when done! mol ! Been there done that, no damage to surrounding areas !

[RaymondR]

If they are stainless steel it begs the question of why you want to cut them off rather than unscrewing them?

[Dove1955]

Try 4 1/2 Grinder with diamond blade

[Capt. Ray]

Angle grinder with cut-off wheel. 1" bolt? 30 seconds.

A sawsall will take a LOT longer.

Originally Posted by vonchris7

Hi,


I'm taking on a project that involves replacing a structural metal plate underneath the bowsprit.



I need to hack through some stainless steel bolts.



Looking for recommendations for an electric saw or whatever it takes to do so.


Thank you,


Chris