Best Method To Cut Sheet Metal

First if you want to cut a duct near the middle and use both ends mark and cut the duct before snapping it together.

Best method to cut sheet metal. Every shop should have at least one because they can do things that are difficult or impossible with some of the other cutting methods. The classic hacksaw or hack saw if you prefer is the quintessential metal cutting tool. If you occupy a sharp blade they work even better. Cutting straight lines with an electric saw.

These photo steps show that it can be done using a utility knife. They re great to cut steel or aluminum or almost any metal. If you ve hit it hard enough the chisel will cut the sheet metal if it s thin enough. They don t cut curves well.

There are two ways to cut round ducts. Choose between red blue or yellow snips based on the cut direction. Straight cutting compound snips work best for cutting thick or doubled up sheet metal. A plasma cutter is one of.

The illustrations are for a small bracket but i have cut 3 foot long pieces using this method. Power slicing is one advanced and effective way to cut items from sheet metal. Here are a few tips for cutting metal with a recip saw. As with most work you have many options for completing the job.

Making detailed cuts with. Using tin snips for thin sheets. Set your saw to straight rather than oscillating if there s a choice. Electric nibblers can be used both as an electronic tool and a stand alone air tool.

If you use metal shears to cut thin sheet metal such as duct metal it curls and can be difficult to flaten properly. A variety of tools hammer and chisel angle grinder or hacksaw to name a few may be up to the task but tin snips are typically the best and most economical option for do it yourselfers. Extend blade life by keeping the saw s speed slow. Easy ways to cut sheet metal panels considerations.

Using a chisel and hammer is the most basic form of cutting sheet metal. Choose a blade with 20 to 24 tpi teeth per inch for thin metal 10 to 18 tpi for medium thickness metal and about 8. Simply line up your chisel along the line you are going to cut and strike the back of it with a hammer. Wax your saw blade before cutting sheet metal.

Large machine shops use tools that are out of reach for most diy ers. The easiest cutting methods may depend.