can fenders be cut with sawzall?

[multistrada74]

if so, any pointers or procedures that i need to carry out before, during, and after? is a heat gun needed? any input would be great. thanks.

[Quantim0]

Doesn't really sound like it would be the best tool for the job. I'm going to pick up an angle grinder to grind mine down with.

[NJGOAT]

I would really reccommend paying a shop to do it. Most people get it done for less than $300 and you're guaranteed that it's done right.

[ls2 goat]

Anything can be cut with a sawzall...but please dont use it on your gto...use an angle grinder or rent the fender rolling tool from the guy on here....I started with an angle grinder but in the end I rolled them...its not hard and will save your tires

[gto_in_nc]

<smartass-mode>
A chain saw will work, too...
</smartass-mode>

:wall:

[Brewster]

sawzall???????? WTF! No No No, please don't they will bend the shit out of the sheet metal, then thats just that much more filler you will need to put in. use some sort of cutting wheel, like an angle grinder, not a sawzall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[multistrada74]

yeah, an angle grinder will work as long as you smooth out the edges really well.

[Quantim0]

I would really reccommend paying a shop to do it. Most people get it done for less than $300 and you're guaranteed that it's done right.

I know two people with their fenders rolled. Both have the paint peeling off the edge and the panels are rusting. No thanks.

[hellmonkey]

I know two people with their fenders rolled. Both have the paint peeling off the edge and the panels are rusting. No thanks.

well, if u cut it, ur gonna have to ge it painted, or it will chip, peel, and rust as well, so that is a moot point.

[Quantim0]

From what I understand when you grind them all you have to do is seal the edge where bare metal is exposed.

[pharmdgto]

I will be doing it with an angle grinder....you know some redneck has used a hacksaw or something to do it...

[Havoc]

if so, any pointers or procedures that i need to carry out before, during, and after? is a heat gun needed? any input would be great. thanks.

nahhh, a sawzall would be like using an axe where a scalpel was needed. A pneumatic reciprocating saw is the ticket! Slices through fender lips like butter and doesn't produce nearly the amount of heat or mess an angle grinders creates. Use a grinder to clean up the cut but that's about it.

[gotzaGTO]

nahhh, a sawzall would be like using an axe where a scalpel was needed.

couldn't have said it better! One slip up and..... rut roh!

[fflores]

can you use a sawzall......

short answer = yes
long answer = NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!one111!!!1!!1!!1ele venteen!111!!!!11!!1!1!11!!!!11!!!!!exclamation point1!!!11!!

[Goat Herder]

Hell go ahead, use the saw and then a plasma cutter.

[Phoenix]

Go ahead and do the baseball bat method before you do the sawzall.

[ddawson]

nahhh, a sawzall would be like using an axe where a scalpel was needed. A pneumatic reciprocating saw is the ticket! Slices through fender lips like butter and doesn't produce nearly the amount of heat or mess an angle grinders creates. Use a grinder to clean up the cut but that's about it.

When I had mine done that's what they used. They then used a grinder to clean it up and painted the lip. $250

[bookemdano]

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r115/crakedhead/ PICT0001.jpg that is what i used. a reciprocating saw. make sure you get a metal cutting blade. get the small one. and tape the area you want to cut.
the lip on the fender wall is double stacked. if you are going the grinding way, you will be there for ever. that sucker is thick.
just make sure you hold the saws all with a tight grip.
eat a big mac, before you do it. LOL. just kidding, it's like cutting through butter.

[bookemdano]

OH! and wile your in there, clean things up. i used rust-oleum paint, and a little brush.
to paint the rotors hub, and anything that was black.
makes the wheels look good when you put them back on.
no more rusted rotor & hubs. lol
JM

[txbatman]

can you use a sawzall......

short answer = yes
long answer = NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!one111!!!1!!1!!1ele venteen!111!!!!11!!1!1!11!!!!11!!!!!exclamation point1!!!11!!

Beat me to it, but I was going to say, Hell yeah, you can use a sawzall on anything!

If you are asking about a sawzall, you might be in over your head on this one.
Dont be cheap, pay the shop the 300 to do it right. Because otherwise when you **** it up, you will spend 750-1000 to repair it.

[1969 SS]

if so, any pointers or procedures that i need to carry out before, during, and after? is a heat gun needed? any input would be great. thanks.

you are no longer allowed to do anything to the GTO yourself. you must now turn in all your tools and automotive supplies to the nearest gearhead.

WTF were you thinking:huh:

[CycloneLS2]

nahhh, a sawzall would be like using an axe where a scalpel was needed. A pneumatic reciprocating saw is the ticket! Slices through fender lips like butter and doesn't produce nearly the amount of heat or mess an angle grinders creates. Use a grinder to clean up the cut but that's about it.

Isn't a "sawzall" just a brand name of reciprocating saw? I have a DeWalt reciprocating saw with a fine metal cutting blade, and I was considering using it to cut my fender lips. Is that no better than a "sawzall"?

[TXRaider]

lol at this thread....
I like the plasma cutter idea, that'd be fun. Oh shoot, to heck with it, just break out the oxy-acetylene torch. Use a small tip... don't worry about the heat gun :)


oh, and yes angle grinder FTW...

[multistrada74]

hey... i just asked. i have done one side with an angle grinder and it's working, although i have a ton of smoothing and cleaning up to do now. it looks like shit right now.

[Havoc]

Isn't a "sawzall" just a brand name of reciprocating saw? I have a DeWalt reciprocating saw with a fine metal cutting blade, and I was considering using it to cut my fender lips. Is that no better than a "sawzall"?

Yeah, I have a Milwaukee reciprocation saw and IIRC it's actually called a "sawzall" but your DeWalt is the same thing.
These are great for the right job but in this instance it's a blunt instrument; if the blade catches or binds on something these things can kick pretty good.

Pneumatic reciprocating saws are much smaller, smoother operating, have a shorter and significantly faster cutting stroke. 3000 vs 10000 strokes per min.

It's sort of like the difference between a 4" grinder and a Dremel tool... they both have their purposes. :judge:

[BriVG]

Jig saw or equivalent. Like Havoc said, nice cut, no heat, easy to use. Seal up the cut when done. Took my shop all of 30 min.

[Merle]

Why is everyone acting like a bunch of little girls? I don't see how using a sawzall would be a problem. I would put a few layers of tape on your fenders first, draw a line where you want to cut, get a new, short metal cutting blade and go slow making sure to keep the table of the saw tight against the fender and it should cut it no problem. you could even put some tape on the table to make sure metal will not contact anything. You guys are all funny. "Take it to a shop so you know it's done right." hahaha. They'll probably break out the sawzall too. Just make damn sure you keep the saw tight against the fender. You don't want that thing to bind up on you and tear shit up.

[heath]

angle grinder with a new disc is the best way,take your time.mask off the area with blue tape,go over with fine sanpaper.paint the edge when your done.sawzall and gto's just dont get along:nono:

[1969 SS]

Why is everyone acting like a bunch of little girls? I don't see how using a sawzall would be a problem. I would put a few layers of tape on your fenders first, draw a line where you want to cut, get a new, short metal cutting blade and go slow making sure to keep the table of the saw tight against the fender and it should cut it no problem. you could even put some tape on the table to make sure metal will not contact anything. You guys are all funny.

you want funny? use the sawzall to cut your quarters, take inprocess pics and then report back

"Take it to a shop so you know it's done right." hahaha. They'll probably break out the sawzall too. Just make damn sure you keep the saw tight against the fender. You don't want that thing to bind up on you and tear shit up. a bodyshop using a sawzall? if I walked inot a shop and even saw a sawzall, I would walk right out

[Merle]

I guess I must be better with a sawzall than most people than. I've cut all kinds of stuff with a sawzall. To the op, do what you want. If you want to pay a body shop $300 to do something you can do for free than have a nut. I generally don't let anyone work on my vehicles unless it is something I just don't have the tools to do.

[Mikey340]

I guess I must be better with a sawzall than most people than. I've cut all kinds of stuff with a sawzall. To the op, do what you want. If you want to pay a body shop $300 to do something you can do for free than have a nut. I generally don't let anyone work on my vehicles unless it is something I just don't have the tools to do.

+1! Although I have both tools I chose to grind My .02.
Mike

[goat-ee]

Let me preface my comments by saying that I have not done my quarters yet, but I have about 20 years of metalworking experience, most of which is working with sheetmetal. I am NOT a body man however!!

There is no way I would use either a die grinder or a sawzall!!

The die grinder will make the surrounding material close to red hot and if it doesn't immediately burn the paint off around it I assure you it will have lost it's bond with the metal and will soon thereafter be peeling off.

And the sawzall is an extreme solution. I could however see a variable speed jigsaw or I would prefer a pneumatic reciprocating saw with the finest cut metal blade you can find on it. And make sure you masking tape the heck out the fender lip and just make your mark on the tape and follow the line slowly and there is no reason to have the blade going 7k strokes a minute either, so do it slowly. Take your time and do it right and make sure to finish the cut edge and paint it.

I also have a hard time believing that you can roll the fenders and not destroy the integrity of the paint. If any of you have ever used a sheet metal press brake, the paint CANNOT possibly stick after the metal under it has been disturbed. And no I am not buying that a heat gun will make it much better. And don't bother telling me how it didn't peel or chip off on your car unless it's been at least a year since you did it AND you live and drive the car in snow, otherwise tell me after 2 years.

[Mikey340]

The die grinder will make the surrounding material close to red hot and if it doesn't immediately burn the paint off around it I assure you it will have lost it's bond with the metal and will soon thereafter be peeling off.

Take your time and do it right and make sure to finish the cut edge and paint it.

And no I am not buying that a heat gun will make it much better. And don't bother telling me how it didn't peel or chip off on your car unless it's been at least a year since you did it AND you live and drive the car in snow, otherwise tell me after 2 years.

Been through 2 Chicago salty winters here!
Long sweeps with the grinder lots of cigarette and beer breaks no red hot paint or panels for me.
Sealed and rattle canned the edges.
Mike

[Merle]

I could however see a variable speed jigsaw or I would prefer a pneumatic reciprocating saw with the finest cut metal blade you can find on it.

How is that any different than a sawzall? A sawzall is basically a variable speed jigsaw just shaped different.

[Cebo]

i would never have the heart to do that to my goat

[BUstd]

Yes, fenders can be cut with a sawzall. You can also plant tulip bulbs with dynamite.

[TheUngodlyOne]

Dude, it is a sawzall! It can cut just about anything hence Sawz-all.

[BriVG]

How is that any different than a sawzall? A sawzall is basically a variable speed jigsaw just shaped different.
Easier handling (ALOT less cumbersome), smaller blade, less prone to wandering

[BRAZEN06GTO]

Angle grinder...FTW!!

http://ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163847

[nesikachad]

Why is everyone acting like a bunch of little girls? I don't see how using a sawzall would be a problem. I would put a few layers of tape on your fenders first, draw a line where you want to cut, get a new, short metal cutting blade and go slow making sure to keep the table of the saw tight against the fender and it should cut it no problem. you could even put some tape on the table to make sure metal will not contact anything. You guys are all funny. "Take it to a shop so you know it's done right." hahaha. They'll probably break out the sawzall too. Just make damn sure you keep the saw tight against the fender. You don't want that thing to bind up on you and tear shit up.


Measure with a micrometer, mark with a piece of chalk, and then cut with an axe. . .

[FirstinLastout74]

just make sure to use the right blade and make sure to have a spray bottle with soapy water and spray a lot as you cut otherwise the blade will bind into the area you are cutting. Also...using a sawzall is an art..practice on some junk parts, especially the curves, before doing the real deal on your car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI77IJvwQQ4

[1969 SS]

Measure with a micrometer, mark with a piece of chalk, and then cut with an axe. . . might just be the BEST scarcastic quote I have ever seen on this forum!!!

why the best? because it is sooooo true with some people's thoughts around here

just make sure to use the right blade and make sure to have a spray bottle with soapy water and spray a lot as you cut otherwise the blade will bind into the area you are cutting. Also...using a sawzall is an art..practice on some junk parts, especially the curves, before doing the real deal on your car.
the thing with a sawzall that everone is missing, is that, even if you do get a :quoties:perfect:quoties: job, the edge is going to be so hacked that you will need LOTS of filing and smoothing, so is that actually any better than the other methods, considering the bigger chances of screwing up with a sawzall to begin with?

[magnum-gto]

Be sure that you do not cut the spot welds. That could cause a whole
new set of problems.

[Chilly Palmer]

I used an angle grinder last weekend. Here are 5 Reasons it is the best option:

Angle Grinder is cheap ($40-50)
Takes only 1-2 hours
Easy clean up of edges (file, touch up paint)
No risk of ruining fender paint
No risk of rippling fender

I removed about 1/2" on each side. I did NOT want to have to do it again.

I'm running 275/40 17 Kumho SPT's on stock 17's, and they're not even close to rubbing.

[barkingspud]

You guys are all freakin wimps!!! I used a 20Lb sledgehammer. Beat those damn lips down flat as a pancake!!!!

[baadgoat]

You guys are all freakin wimps!!! I used a 20Lb sledgehammer. Beat those damn lips down flat as a pancake!!!!

LOL.....Thats the way to do it **** all the grinding and cutting!!!