Milwaukee makes a real good portaband saw that does a good job on steel using the proper metal cutting blade. Many others (black and decker/portacable etc.) make the same thing. The most versatile tool is a Metabo grinder with the Metabo cutoff wheels, these things cut thru steel/stainless/cast/aluminum etc. like a hot knife cutting thru butter. Note: not something you would use inside your house all pieces would have to be cut outside or in a area where there are no combustibles or surfaces that could be damaged by the hot sparks coming from the cutoff wheel.

Something else to consider is a variable speed sawzall with fine tooth metal cutting blade.
Mike A

My suggestion would depend on how many you plan on cutting and if you plan on doing any future projects that would include metal cutting. The way I see it the cheaper options would include:

1. Metal cutting blade in jig saw. Would work for a few cuts, could be very cheap if you've already got a jig saw.

2. Same as #1, but with reciprocating saw.

3. Good old hacksaw.

4. A 4-1/2" angle grinder (DeWalt, Milwaukee, etc.) with a 1/16" thick cut off wheel. Can be difficult to control until you get used to it.

Other more expensive, better options would be:

1. Any brand of 14" chop saw, similar to a miter saw for wood, but uses an abrasive blade. $120-$150.

2. Portable bandsaw, notably Milwaukee. Probably close to $300.

3. Small horizontal bandsaw for metal cutting (4"x6" capacity). All foreign made, all the same, choose your brand........probably right at $200. Cheapest available at Harbor Freight Tools. My personal reccomendation if you plan to cut a lot of metal. I have one and could not live without it.

Hope that helps.....David

What about one of those 7' abrasive chop saws, such as:

http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,166.html

I've got about 50 balusters to cut, 1/2' square wrought iron. After that job, I don't see a use for the saw. Since the 7' sells for about the same cost as a rental of a 14', maybe it would make sense to buy it

Any thoughts on whether it would work well?

Here is a link that might be useful: 7