Cutting metal sheets w/ TS75

[Ujipster]

Hello,
My company is using the TS75 to cut metal sheets about 7' in length. We are using the metal blades and constructed a nylon screen to sit in front of the cutting area to keep the metal debris from going everywhere. The issue we are having is the debris is hitting the screen and flying back at the operator. My question is whether anyone has any ideas of how to minimize the amount of metal debris from the cutting so it is deflected to the ground instead of forward. I was surprised at the amount of debris that flies forward from the cutting. It is quite dangerous. It looks like bomb shrapnel.
Todd

 

[semenza]

Are you using it connected to a vac?  What type of metal?

Seth

 

[Ujipster]

Yes, it is connected to a 33 Vac. And the air circulation seems fine. We are thinking of using the cover plate to improve suction. We are cutting through 24 and 25 gauge steel. Sectional steel garage doors to be exact.

 

[MarkusS]

BTW: Festool offers a extinguisher to be installed between vac and hose to prevent hot metal parts from setting the vac on fire http://www.festool.de/Produkte/Zubehoer-Verbrauchsmaterial/Seiten/Detailansicht.aspx?pid=484733&name=Zubehoer-fuer-Rotationsschleifer-D-50-FL

 

[peter halle]

Markus is correct.  it would be a good idea to use the spark trap.  One of our members could tell you about the effect of sparks in a CT.  Here is a screen shot from the Festool USA website.

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The cover plate should improve suction, and you might also want to experiment with the depth of the blade if your situation permits.  I have found that can affect the amount of forward  thrown debris.

Peter

 

[Michael Kellough]

Hello,
My company is using the TS75 to cut metal sheets about 7' in length. We are using the metal blades and constructed a nylon screen to sit in front of the cutting area to keep the metal debris from going everywhere. The issue we are having is the debris is hitting the screen and flying back at the operator. My question is whether anyone has any ideas of how to minimize the amount of metal debris from the cutting so it is deflected to the ground instead of forward. I was surprised at the amount of debris that flies forward from the cutting. It is quite dangerous. It looks like bomb shrapnel.
Todd

Tape a piece of cardboard of thin ply etc. to the front of the saw shoe so that it rides flat on the guide rail and extends out over the guide rail and work. The farther forward it extends in both directions the more debris will be deflected down.

The guide rail is about 5 mm thick. If you add something that thickness to the part of the cardboard that overhangs the guide rail it will improve the performance of the deflector.

 

[andyman]

Buy 1 of these  [big grin]http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLD49A5D04AF38F2EE&v=2RCBKRoF8P8&feature=player_detailpage