Thanks to structural steel, buildings can be built in a much safer, long-lasting manner. One fabrication that's pretty common with this type of steel variety is cutting. If you want to execute it correctly and safely, review the following cutting protocols.
Select the Appropriate Cutting Instrument
In order to cut structural steel in a refined way each time, you need to select the right cutting instrument. You have a lot of options that include hacksaws, circular saws, bandsaws, and angle grinders. If you assess the properties of your structural steel, it will be easier to select a compatible cutting instrument that sets this fabrication up for success.
For instance, if you're trying to cut through a lot of structural steel materials, a bandsaw can support this high-volume cutting. Whereas if you're cutting long structural steel pieces and need to maintain a straight line, a circular saw may be more appropriate.
Give Materials Time to Cool Down
When you cut into structural steel, parts of it are going to get really hot. It will thus be important to give these areas time to cool off periodically. That not only improves your safety, but it can help you get better cutting results because the structural steel won't have heat damage.
You'll just need to assess the cutting instrument you're using on structural steel and see how these materials take to cutting. Then you'll know when to take breaks to allow for proper cooling.
Make Sure Structural Steel is Stabilized Before Cutting
To get accurate and safe cuts with structural steel, you need to keep it from moving. That's something you can easily accomplish by investing in the right stabilization resources.
A flat workbench with clamps, for example, would help you keep structural steel pieces from moving. Then you can line up each cut correctly with a cutting instrument, as well as keep your body protected.
Just make sure you get a stabilization resource that can hold the weight of your steel materials and prevent any movement from occurring. Then your cutting results will turn out much better.
If structural steel is being used for a building or other construction project, you may end up cutting it onsite. You'll be able to have success with this fabrication technique as long as you know what tools to use and review proper cutting protocols. Then you'll have more control over how structural steel cutting turns out.
