What tool to cut out floor pans?

b0517

New Member

Jun 26, 2004

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Asheville NC

Nov 25, 2004

#1

• Nov 25, 2004

• #1

What tool would be best to cut out my floor pans? I need to give Santa an idea for a Christmas gift. Thanks.

 

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Paul619

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Aug 19, 2004

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Nov 25, 2004

#2

• Nov 25, 2004

• #2

if you want a tool to just cut sheet metal an air nibbler would be good but if you want something with more function maybe a grinder witha cut off wheel

 

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ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

Founding Member

Dec 6, 1999

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BC Canada

Nov 25, 2004

#3

• Nov 25, 2004

• #3

Cutting torch is quickest, but doesn't make the nicest cut.

Sawsall will work.

Angle gringer with cutting wheel will also work.

 

68_stanger

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Nov 21, 2003

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Petoskey, MI

Nov 25, 2004

#4

• Nov 25, 2004

• #4

I used a sawzall, I thought it worked fairly well, not to mention the hundred's of other uses they have.

 

b0517

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Jun 26, 2004

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Asheville NC

Nov 25, 2004

#5

• Nov 25, 2004

• #5

Thanks for all the replies. I'm looking for what will make the cleanest cut, the amount of time it takes does not matter. Thanks again.

 

67coupe351w

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Jan 31, 2004

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Portland, OR

Nov 25, 2004

#6

• Nov 25, 2004

• #6

b0517 said:

Thanks for all the replies. I'm looking for what will make the cleanest cut, the amount of time it takes does not matter. Thanks again.

Click to expand...

Sawzall hands down. The cutting torch is messy, the angle grinder is LOUD and slow and not a very clean cut. (all just my opinion of course) Plus as was already sid, the sawzall can be used for about a billion things. I think its just about my favorite tool in the garage

 

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BC61

New Member

Oct 20, 2004

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Nov 25, 2004

#7

• Nov 25, 2004

• #7

plasma cutter, quik, easy and clean. a little pricy to buy for a one time job but you can probably rent one.

 

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GaPonyFarm

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Jan 2, 2004

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Columbus, GA

Nov 26, 2004

#8

• Nov 26, 2004

• #8

Plasma cutter aside, the sawzall is one of the best tools to have in your garage. Ask for some spare bimetal blades in your stocking....

 

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66nightMARE

New Member

Nov 26, 2004

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Katy, Texas

Nov 26, 2004

#9

• Nov 26, 2004

• #9

i second the idea for a plasma cutter.

 

65 A Code

Member

Apr 6, 2004

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Nov 26, 2004

#10

• Nov 26, 2004

• #10

I have air sheers that I am going to use. They cut nicely on sheet metal. For what I have done so far, real good and straight cuts

 

HistoricMustang

Active Member

Apr 11, 2003

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Confederate States of America

Nov 26, 2004

#11

• Nov 26, 2004

• #11

die grinder.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

67coupestang

Founding Member

May 31, 2002

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Nov 26, 2004

#12

• Nov 26, 2004

• #12

sawzall all the way. i used a black and decker navigator, worked, but a sawzall would have worked great

 

reenmachine

20+ Year Stangneter

Jun 27, 2004

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Montrose, CA

Nov 27, 2004

#13

• Nov 27, 2004

• #13

I've tried 'em all and the plasma cutter whups a$$ on everything. However, I do this stuff very frequently and for a living, so that justified the grand for the cutter (you also must have an air compressor).

So, a wealthy Santa aside, I've had great luck with a nibbler (if you have an air compressor, or maybe there are electric ones) that I got at Harbor Freight for like $20. It makes a mess with the billion little crescents it nibbles away, but so what.

My 12 Amp Hitachi sawzall is a beast as well, and as others have said, you'll use it for all kinds of stuff besides your car.

A good angle grinder with a slitter disc works well, but it's hard to get a nice straight line. It's also very useful for other stuff though.

Good luck!

 

tos

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Apr 27, 2001

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Cincinnati Ohio

Nov 28, 2004

#14

• Nov 28, 2004

• #14

Plasma cutter is best but costly. Die grinder good but it takes time, throws sparks, cutting wheels fracture easy, and most of all hard to go around corners. Saws-all also good but may be a little bulky when you get to the front floorboard under the dash. MY suggestion would be a body saw which is like a miniature sawsall except its made for cutting body panels, you can cut faster than a die grinder, very easy to control and goes around corners well. They are about the size of a nibbler (Which doesnt go around corners well either). If you have a compressor then that would be the best thing and they use very little cfm so even a small compressor will work. Just be sure to get under the car and remove your fuel line so you dont saw thru it. Youll need a die grinder or something else when you get to the frame rails up front and youll need to cut some spot welds there too. Good Luck.

 

thehueypilot

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Feb 25, 2004

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Medina,Tennessee

Nov 28, 2004

#15

• Nov 28, 2004

• #15

I used a plasma cutter. It cuts like a knife through hot butter. Just watch out for what is behind what you are cutting and smoldering fires around the under coating or fuel lines.

 

b0517

New Member

Jun 26, 2004

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Asheville NC

Nov 28, 2004

#16

• Nov 28, 2004

• #16

It sound like tha Plasma Cutter is the way to go, but how hard is one to use. I figure I could rent one for a weekend if I could do the job myself. For those of you that have used the Plasma Cutter how do they do around corners? Thanks again for all of your help.

 

reenmachine

20+ Year Stangneter

Jun 27, 2004

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Montrose, CA

Nov 29, 2004

#17

• Nov 29, 2004

• #17

You can be a plasma cutter world champion in about 10 minutes. If you can draw the line on your sheet metal with a Sharpie then you can make the cut with the plasma cutter.

 

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sin-city-customs

New Member

Jun 29, 2004

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Nov 29, 2004

#18

• Nov 29, 2004

• #18

Plasma cutter

I have a Plasma Cutter and it works GREAT. It cuts exactly where your hand goes. Could be good or bad. My hand isn't as steady as I thought it was. Cuts are kinda "wobbly" so I use a straight edge sometimes. But it cuts like nothing else.

Dave

 

Timmy

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May 17, 2002

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Conway, Arkansas

Nov 30, 2004

#19

• Nov 30, 2004

• #19

I used a plasma cutter on mine and WOW was it easy and quick. Like so may have already said, the price is a major issue. You can rent them. I got lucky. My neighbor had one and let me use it.