The Ford Barn

Ross/Kzoo · 09-20-2013, 07:43 PM

I've got a couple of projects coming up and need to some 18 and/or 20 gauge sheet metal into strips. Some will be 2" wide and some about 4" wide. The lengths will vary from 18" to about 4'. What will be the best way to accomplish this? I have a woodworking band saw. Would getting a metal cutting blade do the job. It's too thick for hand metal snips. Maybe but a pneumatic or electric shear? Wha would you suggest?

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 09-20-2013, 07:48 PM

Use what you have. Don't over-complicate your work. It is easy to get sucked into feeling we need a new tool for every specialty task.

karasmer · 09-20-2013, 07:53 PM

Aviation snips cut 18 and 20 gauge, it's tough but doable. I cut 16 gauge with my snips. If you want a nice edge bring the metal to a sheetmetal shop and within seconds you will have a perfect cut.

Kevin in NJ · 09-20-2013, 08:06 PM

Wood band saws have way too fast a cutting speed unless you can really slow down the speed. I think wood band saws go 10 times faster.

How flat do the pieces need to be? Cutting lots of pieces by hand would be hurt and cause lots of bending.

I did my first cutting with a saber saw. The key is to get a blade with a blade pitch tighter then the thickness of the metal or close to it. The more teeth per inch the less tearing you get and the cleaner the line.

Later I got a power shear at a garage sale REAL cheap. Some distortion at the edge, but nice to use.

Sometimes I use my Sawsall, but that usually causes more distortion unless you can keep it tight to the material.

That is my experience hope it helps.

Charlie Stephens · 09-20-2013, 08:09 PM

Can you have the store where you buy the metal cut it with their professional tools?

Charlie Stephens

MikeK · 09-20-2013, 08:21 PM

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There are several sheet metal/ductwork shops in the Kalamazoo area. Make up a cut/size list, have them cut it all up in a shear. No big burrs, very accurate. Will you be at Gilmore tomorrow?

Ross/Kzoo · 09-20-2013, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeK

There are several sheet metal/ductwork shops in the Kalamazoo area. Make up a cut/size list, have them cut it all up in a shear. No big burrs, very accurate. Will you be at Gilmore tomorrow?

Thanks, no I have a prior commitment so I can't make it. I really wish I could.

mass A man · 09-20-2013, 08:50 PM

I do agree with the metal shop doing the cutting, but I've had to get things done with no time to pack up and travel, so I mark the line, clamp piece safely to a bench, then use my angle grinder with a good cutting wheel and cut close to my line, then use grinder to bring it down to my line usually with a piece of straight-edge strap steel also clamped onto my line to see where I'm going and not go beyond my line. About 8 to 10 minute procedure for a 3 foot or so cut. Hand file & sand for a really good, clean finish.

ctlikon0712 · 09-20-2013, 09:23 PM

If flatness is an issue, make sure if you get it sheared that the shop takes the shearing (twist) effect out of it for ya. It sometimes happens in longer thin strips like you are having done.

mot · 09-20-2013, 10:08 PM

ive used this tool for years and cut hundreds of feet of sheet metal
the blade is still as sharp as new
this is 18ga metal ,thicker than what your cutting
to cut two feet ,if you have a steady had ,will take less than 5 seconds
they are cheap at harbor freight
notice how I started close to the edge with no problem
you will loose about 1/4 in where the curl is ,the thickness of the blade
tom

5window · 09-20-2013, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mot

ive used this tool for years and cut hundreds of feet of sheet metal
the blade is still as sharp as new
this is 18ga metal ,thicker than what your cutting
to cut two feet ,if you have a steady had ,will take less than 5 seconds
they are cheap at harbor freight
notice how I started close to the edge with no problem
you will loose about 1/4 in where the curl is ,the thickness of the blade
tom

So, what is it and where'd you get it?

Tom Wesenberg · 09-20-2013, 10:42 PM

If you have to buy the steel, then for sure I'd have the steel yard shear it for you.

If you already have the steel, then the tool Tom shows in reply #11 is the way to go.

I'm not a big fan of grinding steel, but have done it when I had no other way. Once I got a steel spec caught in my eye and was in great pain for 3 days until I finally went to the doctor. He had it out in seconds, but at a cost of $360.

Think of the Model A parts that could have bought.

ford3 · 09-20-2013, 10:51 PM

if you want clean straight cuts with no or very little clean up have the sheet metal shop cut them, labor can get very expensive,especially if you make a mistake and have to spend several hours fixing it

tbirdtbird · 09-20-2013, 10:54 PM

I have the same tool:
Kett electric hand-held shear:
http://www.expresstools.com/Kett-KD-...FUVp7AodQRkACA
is one source.
there is no distortion, because the distortion is in the 1/4" wide waste strip.
Have used this tool for years

theHIGHLANDER · 09-20-2013, 11:16 PM

I have a major disdain for those electric shears pictured. I lucked out twice and got a large and small single blade electric shear. Cuts like butter but expensive. However, I was in a resale shop in Monroe a month ago and saw an electric shear like mine for $50. If I didn't already have 2 I'd have grabbed it.

This type as well as the smaller type:

http://www.unclesamsretailoutlet.com...ear-p/4106.htm

You'll use it more than you think and if needed will cut a radius as well. Large, but you can turn em with practice and little to no distortion. Check those resale shops kids!!

Bill in SoCal · 09-20-2013, 11:19 PM

Want a new tool? Plasma cutter - for about $1,500.00 you can cut sheet metal up to about a 1/4 of an inch. You could cut 4 foot of 18 gauge sheet metal in under 15 seconds. Much cheaper to have it done. The place you buy the sheet metal might cut it for free or real cheap depending on how much you by from them. Save your hands - have it cut. Bill

Mike V. Florida · 09-20-2013, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross/Kzoo

I've got a couple of projects coming up and need to some 18 and/or 20 gauge sheet metal into strips. Some will be 2" wide and some about 4" wide. The lengths will vary from 18" to about 4'. What will be the best way to accomplish this? I have a woodworking band saw. Would getting a metal cutting blade do the job. It's too thick for hand metal snips. Maybe but a pneumatic or electric shear? What would you suggest?

Have it sheared at a metal shop is the best way.

tbirdtbird · 09-20-2013, 11:26 PM

that Black and Decker is actually a nibbler, and very pricey, at that.

karasmer · 09-21-2013, 12:27 AM

If as sheet metal shop is out of the picture a Kett double cut is best for lighter stuff, for the heavy stuff a 4 inch or so angle grinder with super thin cutoff wheels really works well with a steady hand with some easy deburring after. The Chineese freight cutoff wheels do not work very well they wear way too fast, the best are Mastercraft sold at Menards.... I do sheet metal work for a living so both are used daily.

Richard Lorenz · 09-21-2013, 10:18 AM

I use the poor man's band saw: A metal cutting blade in a Saber Saw. Tractor Supply has them in stock in our area. Should be 32 teeth or more per inch. Clamp the sheet metal securely and adjust cutting (moving) speed carefully. If the blade breaks, which it will, the blade is long enough that you can re-clamp the left-over piece in the saw and use that.

09-20-2013, 07:48 PM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,507	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal Use what you have. Don't over-complicate your work. It is easy to get sucked into feeling we need a new tool for every specialty task. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

09-20-2013, 07:53 PM	#3
karasmer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Duluth MN Posts: 594	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal Aviation snips cut 18 and 20 gauge, it's tough but doable. I cut 16 gauge with my snips. If you want a nice edge bring the metal to a sheetmetal shop and within seconds you will have a perfect cut.

09-20-2013, 08:06 PM	#4
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal Wood band saws have way too fast a cutting speed unless you can really slow down the speed. I think wood band saws go 10 times faster. How flat do the pieces need to be? Cutting lots of pieces by hand would be hurt and cause lots of bending. I did my first cutting with a saber saw. The key is to get a blade with a blade pitch tighter then the thickness of the metal or close to it. The more teeth per inch the less tearing you get and the cleaner the line. Later I got a power shear at a garage sale REAL cheap. Some distortion at the edge, but nice to use. Sometimes I use my Sawsall, but that usually causes more distortion unless you can keep it tight to the material. That is my experience hope it helps.

09-20-2013, 08:09 PM	#5
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,031	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal Can you have the store where you buy the metal cut it with their professional tools? Charlie Stephens

09-20-2013, 08:21 PM	#6
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There are several sheet metal/ductwork shops in the Kalamazoo area. Make up a cut/size list, have them cut it all up in a shear. No big burrs, very accurate. Will you be at Gilmore tomorrow?

09-20-2013, 07:43 PM	#1
Ross/Kzoo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richland Mi. Posts: 1,172	Best way to cut sheetmetal I've got a couple of projects coming up and need to some 18 and/or 20 gauge sheet metal into strips. Some will be 2" wide and some about 4" wide. The lengths will vary from 18" to about 4'. What will be the best way to accomplish this? I have a woodworking band saw. Would getting a metal cutting blade do the job. It's too thick for hand metal snips. Maybe but a pneumatic or electric shear? Wha would you suggest?

09-20-2013, 08:50 PM	#8
mass A man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Danvers, Ma. Posts: 712	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal I do agree with the metal shop doing the cutting, but I've had to get things done with no time to pack up and travel, so I mark the line, clamp piece safely to a bench, then use my angle grinder with a good cutting wheel and cut close to my line, then use grinder to bring it down to my line usually with a piece of straight-edge strap steel also clamped onto my line to see where I'm going and not go beyond my line. About 8 to 10 minute procedure for a 3 foot or so cut. Hand file & sand for a really good, clean finish.

09-20-2013, 09:23 PM	#9
ctlikon0712 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,609	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal If flatness is an issue, make sure if you get it sheared that the shop takes the shearing (twist) effect out of it for ya. It sometimes happens in longer thin strips like you are having done. __________________ Wanted: Simmons Super Power Head Craig Likon 1931 150B

09-20-2013, 10:42 PM	#12
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal If you have to buy the steel, then for sure I'd have the steel yard shear it for you. If you already have the steel, then the tool Tom shows in reply #11 is the way to go. I'm not a big fan of grinding steel, but have done it when I had no other way. Once I got a steel spec caught in my eye and was in great pain for 3 days until I finally went to the doctor. He had it out in seconds, but at a cost of $360. Think of the Model A parts that could have bought.

09-20-2013, 10:51 PM	#13
ford3 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: oroville calif. Posts: 1,453	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal if you want clean straight cuts with no or very little clean up have the sheet metal shop cut them, labor can get very expensive,especially if you make a mistake and have to spend several hours fixing it

09-20-2013, 10:54 PM	#14
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal I have the same tool: Kett electric hand-held shear: http://www.expresstools.com/Kett-KD-...FUVp7AodQRkACA is one source. there is no distortion, because the distortion is in the 1/4" wide waste strip. Have used this tool for years __________________ '31 180A

09-20-2013, 11:16 PM	#15
theHIGHLANDER Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 492	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal I have a major disdain for those electric shears pictured. I lucked out twice and got a large and small single blade electric shear. Cuts like butter but expensive. However, I was in a resale shop in Monroe a month ago and saw an electric shear like mine for $50. If I didn't already have 2 I'd have grabbed it. This type as well as the smaller type: http://www.unclesamsretailoutlet.com...ear-p/4106.htm You'll use it more than you think and if needed will cut a radius as well. Large, but you can turn em with practice and little to no distortion. Check those resale shops kids!!

09-20-2013, 11:19 PM	#16
Bill in SoCal Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Claremont, CA 91711 Posts: 244	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal Want a new tool? Plasma cutter - for about $1,500.00 you can cut sheet metal up to about a 1/4 of an inch. You could cut 4 foot of 18 gauge sheet metal in under 15 seconds. Much cheaper to have it done. The place you buy the sheet metal might cut it for free or real cheap depending on how much you by from them. Save your hands - have it cut. Bill

09-20-2013, 11:26 PM	#18
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal that Black and Decker is actually a nibbler, and very pricey, at that. __________________ '31 180A

09-21-2013, 12:27 AM	#19
karasmer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Duluth MN Posts: 594	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal If as sheet metal shop is out of the picture a Kett double cut is best for lighter stuff, for the heavy stuff a 4 inch or so angle grinder with super thin cutoff wheels really works well with a steady hand with some easy deburring after. The Chineese freight cutoff wheels do not work very well they wear way too fast, the best are Mastercraft sold at Menards.... I do sheet metal work for a living so both are used daily.

09-21-2013, 10:18 AM	#20
Richard Lorenz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 447	Re: Best way to cut sheetmetal I use the poor man's band saw: A metal cutting blade in a Saber Saw. Tractor Supply has them in stock in our area. Should be 32 teeth or more per inch. Clamp the sheet metal securely and adjust cutting (moving) speed carefully. If the blade breaks, which it will, the blade is long enough that you can re-clamp the left-over piece in the saw and use that.