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.



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