Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all,
just starting to cut the top of my first IBC liner.
Not sure what tool, tried a pair of loppers to get thru the threaded neck, no good.
A hack saw with plastic cutting blade is okay but difficult. Needs 2 people, one to hold the thing still.

What is your prefered tool please?
Dale

jig saw

100mm angle grinder with rotary hacksaw blade.

i'd go with Ian in this.. he's got much more experience!

jigsaw or reciprocating saw.

I used a reciprocating saw, but it is hard to control to get straight lines. But then again I did mine with a metal blade and cut cage and container at the same time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtQmu-udAgw

+1 As Ian suggests a 100mm angle would be the easiest and safest
Being a boilermaker welder many years ago and also teaching Hand and power tool skills my best advice when using any tools is plan how you will do the job and then don't force anything let the tool do the work this particularly applies to angle grinders!!

Oh thankyou so much, such prompt service from you very knowledgeable people is wonderful.
I have an angle grinder, haven't used it much but will have a go. Not sure what blades I have, I know there are metal cutters, will a wood one work if I have one?

cheers
Dale

plasma cutter

Whoa plasma cutter sounds a bit space age!
My son thinks it is something he uses to kill monster on his computer game.

Anyway needless to say I don't have one but I know what it is now though. Thank goodness for Google.
I also know what a reciprocating saw is too. I don't have one of those but have thought they would be a valuable addition to our lifestyle!

So only metal blades for the angle grinder, so no good there.
May have to do another trip to Bunnings.
thanks again.
Dale

A hacksaw works pretty well, but a hand held grinder is easier Not sure what blade I used in my grinder but I don't think it would matter that much given how soft the plastic is.

Yes, if you are going to use an angle grinder, you need to get a cutting disc... not a grinding disc... I think I killed my angle grinder cutting the IBC top open with a grinding disc... so it did not finish the job...

Personally I would use a jigsaw... I bought one for less than $40 after I killed my angle grinder... the cutting work was much easier with the jigsaw, plus you could easily make round corner cuts that follows the IBC curve corners...

This is the Rotary Hacksaw blade that I use for Plastics, Timber and Aluminium cutting.
http://www.justtools.com.au/prod4017.htm
A bit expensive, but one of the better pieces of equipment for an angle grinder. Finish off curved corners etc with a thin blade for the reciprocating Jig Saw.
The other indispensible tool I use is a small "Bull Bit" for drilling, countersinking and preparing Fibre Cement sheeting for all sorts of uses. (about $40AUS)

Cheers IanK

I used a "zip bit" in a Dremel tool..
It's kinda like a really widely threaded reverse drill bit about 1/8" in diameter..

You can honestly write your name in a water pipe.. a bit tough to control at first, but it gets easier with practice..

And it's super cheap, only about $8 for a few of them (if you already have a dremel tool)

it might work in a drill too, my dremel is currently a black and decker knock off !

Hi Dale
Just use a metal cutting disc (not grinding disc) or you can buy an all purpose diamond tipped cutting blade for the angle grinder. Buy the most expensive one that you can afford as quality is a real factor with these blades once you have one you can use it for all sorts of materials.
Personally if cost is a factor I would use the standard metal cutting disc, check that you have the right arbor size (the hole in the middle of the disc) as they vary