What to hack my frame with???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jebb1978 · 03-17-2006, 02:40 PM

I am getting ready to do the clean up work on the frame of my 59 GMC. I have a lot of prettying up to do on the camaro subframe and still need to notch the frame. I want to do the work myself on this one but don't really want to buy a plasma cutter.

There has been a lot of torching done before this point and I sure don't want to use that method any more. Any suggestions? As always thanks for you help.

Bowtie67 · 03-17-2006, 03:32 PM

SAWZALL, I think that is how it is spelt.. Grinders with cutting wheels, Oh I forgot to mention a Circular saw, with a cutting wheel, this works like you wouldnt believe for big stuff.

67Fleet · 03-17-2006, 03:44 PM

Sawzall is your best bet. But before you start cutting, get a Unibit (step bit) and drill a hole in each corner where the notch will be if you plan to do a bolt-in notch (the square type). This will keep the corners rounded off and prevent the frame from cracking in the corners.

rodnok1 · 03-17-2006, 08:53 PM

Nothing wrong with torching, takes some grinding to clean it up. There's just something about fire that's hard to beat.

**dennislbrooks** · 03-17-2006, 11:09 PM

Sawzall -- great tool, trims tree limbs, cuts out door casings, makes nice clean straight cuts in steel and other metals. However for non straight cuts in heavy metal --torches are great. My other favorite cutting tools are an air saw and jig saw -- but plasma cutters are nice.

chevy_fatman · 03-18-2006, 05:55 AM

cdowns · 03-18-2006, 11:08 AM

a hand held jigsaw is good for irregular shaped cuts if you know how to use them

Jebb1978 · 03-18-2006, 07:44 PM

Thanks guys, I was thinking of the same tools but wasn't sure they were up to the job. I also consitted a hole saw for the c notch. Does this seem like a good idea?

cdowns · 03-19-2006, 08:39 AM

you can try using a holesaw but i haven't had much luck trying to cut out half circles . i'd use the holesaw to start with and get a real nice scored line on the framerail then id change to a jigsaw with a very fine blade(bimetal) to do the final cut use lubrication on the blade and dont try and force it you'll end up wit a nice clean cut

**N2TRUX** · 03-25-2006, 12:51 AM

You need one of these...

SkyBlue72' · 03-25-2006, 01:32 AM

Hey PAUL, I' don't see a battery, so wheres the cord???

CochinoFilipino · 04-04-2006, 09:47 PM

no votes for the ol bandsaw?

03-17-2006, 02:40 PM	#1
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	What to hack my frame with???? I am getting ready to do the clean up work on the frame of my 59 GMC. I have a lot of prettying up to do on the camaro subframe and still need to notch the frame. I want to do the work myself on this one but don't really want to buy a plasma cutter. There has been a lot of torching done before this point and I sure don't want to use that method any more. Any suggestions? As always thanks for you help. __________________ 1959 GMC project

03-17-2006, 03:32 PM	#2
Bowtie67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,266	Re: What to hack my frame with???? SAWZALL, I think that is how it is spelt.. Grinders with cutting wheels, Oh I forgot to mention a Circular saw, with a cutting wheel, this works like you wouldnt believe for big stuff. __________________ 1967 C10 - SWBSS Pro Street 427sbc, 700R4 & 4.10 Gears 1948 Chevy FleetMaster Coupe, LS1, (almost done) 1950 Chevy StyleLine Coupe 250/6 3x2 Dueces 2009 Toyota Tundra 1996 Harley RoadKing "I maybe getting old, but I can still burn rubber with the best of them" Last edited by Bowtie67; 03-17-2006 at 03:34 PM.

03-17-2006, 03:44 PM	#3
67Fleet Outlandish Trends - FL Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,396	Re: What to hack my frame with???? Sawzall is your best bet. But before you start cutting, get a Unibit (step bit) and drill a hole in each corner where the notch will be if you plan to do a bolt-in notch (the square type). This will keep the corners rounded off and prevent the frame from cracking in the corners. __________________ -Bret 67 short-fleet sold!

03-17-2006, 08:53 PM	#4
rodnok1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Linden, North Carolina Posts: 617	Re: What to hack my frame with???? Nothing wrong with torching, takes some grinding to clean it up. There's just something about fire that's hard to beat. __________________ 64 Panel Rebuild Pics Clutch Replacement and Borg Warner T10 Trans Rebuild 64 Panel 1/2 Ton 350cubes/400hp BorgWarner t-10 3:73 Auburn Posi

03-17-2006, 11:09 PM	#5
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,798	Re: What to hack my frame with???? Sawzall -- great tool, trims tree limbs, cuts out door casings, makes nice clean straight cuts in steel and other metals. However for non straight cuts in heavy metal --torches are great. My other favorite cutting tools are an air saw and jig saw -- but plasma cutters are nice.

03-18-2006, 05:55 AM	#6
chevy_fatman Where's my beer? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I live in the state of denial.... Posts: 5,620	Re: What to hack my frame with???? __________________ Paul How do you make the invisible, visible?.........You take it away.

03-18-2006, 11:08 AM	#7
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: What to hack my frame with???? a hand held jigsaw is good for irregular shaped cuts if you know how to use them __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-18-2006, 07:44 PM	#8
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	Re: What to hack my frame with???? Thanks guys, I was thinking of the same tools but wasn't sure they were up to the job. I also consitted a hole saw for the c notch. Does this seem like a good idea? __________________ 1959 GMC project

03-19-2006, 08:39 AM	#9
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: What to hack my frame with???? you can try using a holesaw but i haven't had much luck trying to cut out half circles . i'd use the holesaw to start with and get a real nice scored line on the framerail then id change to a jigsaw with a very fine blade(bimetal) to do the final cut use lubrication on the blade and dont try and force it you'll end up wit a nice clean cut __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-25-2006, 12:51 AM	#10
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: What to hack my frame with???? You need one of these... Attached Images __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

03-25-2006, 01:32 AM	#11
SkyBlue72' Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chinle, Arizona Posts: 60	Re: What to hack my frame with???? Hey PAUL, I' don't see a battery, so wheres the cord???

04-04-2006, 09:47 PM	#12
CochinoFilipino Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Republic of California Posts: 345	Re: What to hack my frame with???? no votes for the ol bandsaw? __________________ '67 C10 Short Stepside 5.0TPI/700R4 Last edited by CochinoFilipino; 04-04-2006 at 09:49 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.