At James Dunkerley steel we use sawing and flame cutting to profile our sheet metal. Our service, flame cutting, involves the process of cutting metal by reacting oxygen with a base metal and a fuel gas in order to cut and weld the metals. Pure oxygen rather than room air is used to increase the temperature for a faster more efficient cutting process. The chemical reaction forms iron oxide, this allows the metal to be moulded and cut. Sawing is our preferred method of mechanical cutting. We use this method when we have smaller tubes and more precise cutting work to complete. Here at James Dunkerley Steels, we will only ever use the best method for you, as our valued customer. We switch between methods of sawing and flame cutting, so when you come to us you are not fixed to one method.

If you have any questions or would like any information or advice on our sawing and flame cutting services which we offer. Then we are open from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, so please contact our sales team and we’ll be happy to assist.

Sawing and Flame Cutting

James Dunkerley Steels are reputable and experienced metal sawing and flame cut steel suppliers, using both methods to provide customers with the best results when ordering sheet metal or steel sections cut to size.

Sawing and flame cutting are two different approaches to steel cutting, both with their advantages. In practice, we will often use a combination of both techniques across larger orders, different thicknesses of steel, or where different levels of precision are needed.

It is important to work with the best flame cut steel suppliers, as this is a much more highly skilled method of metal cutting, and one that James Dunkerley Steels have the expertise to carry out to high levels of accuracy.

What is flame cutting?

Steel flame cutting is also known as oxy-fuel cutting and uses a mixture of oxygen and a fuel gas to cut metal at a much higher temperature than can be achieved using ordinary atmospheric air.

This method of metal cutting can be carried out using several different fuel gases:

• Oxypropane burns at around 2,250°C
• Oxyhydrogen burns at around 2,800°C
• Oxyacetylene burns at around 3,500°C

The very high temperature of the cutting torch creates a chemical reaction in the metal, which in turn forms iron oxide. This can then be blown away to neatly cut even thick steel sections.

Flame cutting steel is a precise way to cut through large sheet steel and thicknesses up to 300mm, with fast setup and rapid cutting to offer quick turnaround on large orders.

What is metal sawing?

Metal sawing is a more direct, mechanical method of steel cutting. As the name suggests, this technique uses powerful bandsaws and specialist blades to saw through the steel, using direct contact rather than an oxy-fuel cutting flame.

While there are some physical limitations on the size and thickness of materials that can be trimmed using metal sawing methods, this is a high-precision technique especially on smaller steel pipes and tubes where tolerances are tighter.

At James Dunkerley Steels we will use sawing as our steel cutting method where appropriate, allowing us to supply steel sections with tolerances within just a few millimetres of the stated dimension.

What is the difference?

Both steel flame cutting and steel sawing are highly skilled and professional methods of metal cutting, which is why it’s important to order from a trusted supplier like James Dunkerley Steels.

The techniques are different in some ways, for example:

• Flame cutting metal is suitable for thicker materials
• Sawing metal is suitable for tighter tolerances
• Flame cutting has faster setup and turnaround times
• Sawing can use specialist blades to achieve specific outcomes

Ultimately the best method of steel cutting depends on variables including the size of the material, the size of the total order, how quickly delivery is needed and how precisely the steel needs to be cut.

At James Dunkerley Steels we have significant capabilities in both techniques and the expertise to choose the best method for the job at hand, every time.

Content Dunkerley Today!

Switching between flame cutting and sawing steel can deliver the best results across entire orders. That’s why at James Dunkerley Steels we do not apply a single method to every steel section, but use the best technique for each cut.

If you are looking for metal sawing and flame cut steel suppliers, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch to place your order or ask us any questions you have remaining.