Body Saws

[mark]

I have a sawsall (couple), and a jig saw, and various abrasive cut-off wheels etc. But I was thinking of picking up an air powered "body saw" for a fender trimming project I need to do soon as well as various other tasks.


Are they worth a damn? I've read/been told they offer a cleaner and smoother cut for doing things like floppy panels and sheetmetal, I know sawsalls can be pretty bouncy for sheetmetal, but it does work.


Thinking of just stopping by HF and picking one up to try it out. They just used hack-saw blades... right?

 

[WHITE TRASH1]

They use jig saw blades but have a shorter and faster stroke. They work well enough if you're careful. I've used tin nibblers with great success too.

 

[CHOP SHOP]

Its not going to give you a one stop finish.

It will still need dressed up like with any of the tools you have already.

I dont have one and never intend to get one.

Why use a die grinder if you have a real grinder? Why use a crappy, loud, small, underpowered, vibrating air saw when you already own real saws?


Might as well get a dremel tool kit while you looking at play tools.

 

[WHITE TRASH1]

Why use a die grinder if you have a real grinder? Why use a crappy, loud, small, underpowered, vibrating air saw when you already own real saws?


Might as well get a dremel tool kit while you looking at play tools.

Tools were invented for a reason. Body saws while similar to a jigsaw are not the same. Their shorter and faster stroke keep the blade from "grabbing" the sheetmetal and warping it.

As much as your undying love for all things air powered is obvious they are essential to many things and far more practical for many uses such as trail tools. Well unless you pack a generator around to run all those coffers tools. :redneck:

 

[Jacob]

This is the best thing I have used for cutting sheet metal and body panels. It only sucks if you have small cuts to make in tight spaces.

If you have a 4" angle grinder you can just buy thin disks for it and accomplish almost the same results. This one is just more comfortable to work with to me, and allows me to take my time a little more.

 

[TrikeKid]

I hope you have a good compressor to back it up, those things suck a lot of air just like a grinder. Trashy, how often have you needed a body saw along side the trail?

I honestly prefer cutting fenders with a pair of tin snips more than anything else, takes a little longer but it gives me the most control.

 

[Jacob]

I hope you have a good compressor to back it up, those things suck a lot of air just like a grinder. Trashy, how often have you needed a body saw along side the trail?

I honestly prefer cutting fenders with a pair of tin snips more than anything else, takes a little longer but it gives me the most control.

If the compressor is an issue, they make them in electric versions too. And I am sure you can get both versions at your local HF.

 

[WHITE TRASH1]

Trashy, how often have you needed a body saw along side the trail?

Never, my point was about air tools being the superior choice for mobility. I have used die grinders and impacts plenty on the trail both of which were air powered.

 

[k2blazen]

I got 2 cheap ones from HF and the $90 one which still seems to work good had for about 2 yrs know I oil it every time I use ,let a friend use the cheap one came back and went to use a month later"no workie"

 

[mark]

I have an air cut-off, as well as my trusty 4.5" electric grinder. Have used the crap out of both of them. Even cut quit a few fenders (and trucks up) with them.

Just looking for other options. Problem with the cutting wheels is they are noisey, reasoably slow (Scout fenders are THICK) and make a pretty good mess. Like was mentioned, sawsalls are great, but when your dealing with a floppy fender and get a little unruely, and a jig saw is great untill you hit something behind the fender and it beats you up (can't control the depth as well). Figured a body saw was just the right tool and it sounds like (from here and other sources) its about a 50/50 split on people that like them for what they are, or hate them and see no point in them (Choppy :redneck.

Sounds like the biggest downside is the cheap $10-special at HF is so hit or miss it might not be a good test. I could get a great one and be happy, or get a crappy one and think the whole tool concept is crap. Probelem is I don't want to invest in a $$ one only to find its worthless.

I wonder is "Formost" (Tool Town) is any better than "Chicogo Pneumatic" :haha: (99% sure they come out of the same factory!)

 

[WHITE TRASH1]

I have used quality body saws in the past but I didn't see a point to spending big money for the limited usage it'd see so I bought one from HF. It's been fine so far.

 

[boxboy]

how about something like this

or how about a plasma cutter?


this one will cut up to 1/8"

 

[Fordzuki]

I have an IR airsaw I use at work regularly. It is ideal for belt cuts on quarter panels, rockers, and door skins. cut old and new parts long, over lap, and cut through both layers, leaving a nice 1/32" ish gap to weld the two panels together.

You would be frustrated as all hell trying to "trim" fenders with it, it's a slow process with a lot of attention needed to cut a long straigt line.

Everytime I've trimmed wheelwells, I use the sawzall or plasma, and clean it up with a peanut grinder with 80g.

Double cuts would make probably the cleanest cut on flat panels, but it'd be pretty rough getting through any bodylines. :haha:

 

[CHOP SHOP]

how about something like this

That is what I use. I am cheap and waited till i found it on cl for $40. Replacement jaws can be bought also.


I agree with fordzuki, the body saw has its place and is priceless if used in the right instance but other than working ina bodyshop, I dont see a need for one.

Not for your purpose anyways.

 

[fortric]

I have had 2 of the HF ones. they suck. dont last. used both of them twice and wouldn't work after that.