cutting sheet metal accuratley

[crawler nub]

ok so im new to the whole metalworking thing. i have been trying to cut some sheet metal with not even tin snips haha something close to them but besides angle grinder what do you guys use to cut sheetmetal?

[crawler nub]

srry if this is in wrong place

[Jkelley]

Don't really know how thick you are talking. I normally use a Bandsaw at work. If its thin enough I will use a pair of tin snips and do some cleaning up with a rotary tool.

[desertrunner]

well this is most definitely the wrong place! sheet metal depending on thickness my fav tool is a grinder with a cut off wheel! what are you trying to make?

having the wrong tool will make a simple job impossible.

[crawler nub]

ok thanks i will be sure to find the right spot next time before i post but i am trying to make a flatbed for a roll cage i built and this stuff is pretty thin

[minisaba]

For sheet metal I use this shears. http://cgi.ebay.com/WISS-METAL-SHEAR...item3f05612271

Hope this helps. Most harware stores sell them for about 15 dollars.

[crawler nub]

i will be sure to pick some of those up but how should i get the bends out when i cut?

[constantmotion]

Yeah, with tin snips, the metal in going to curl. I just use a hammer and a solid surface to straighten it out.

[Big Bill]

I like to use a cut off wheel myself, I think you get a better edge. Now my question is how do you guys get a nice clean bend with a sharp edge? Thanks

[lowslowTJ]

With relatively thin aluminum I often score the metal with an exacto knife (with the tip broken off) several times and then bend the metal along the line I just scored. The metal will bend more easily on that line and you can then bend it back and forth till it breaks on the scored line.

[minisaba]

Originally Posted by constantmotion

Yeah, with tin snips, the metal in going to curl. I just use a hammer and a solid surface to straighten it out.

Just make sure your hammer is smooth. To me, this is the best way to do it and it doesn't take long.

[rocksteadily]

I like to use a shear to cut metal and a break to make nice
clean sharp bends

[Team Tactical Bacon]

I must have gotten lucky. My snips are a bit on the large side, but the metal does not warp at all.

Another tip is to make your piece out of card stock or a cut up file folder, tune it how you want it to look, and then transfer it to the metal sheet. Mounting holes are much easier to locate correctly this way too.

[hotrodsonoma]

Originally Posted by lowslowTJ

With relatively thin aluminum I often score the metal with an exacto knife (with the tip broken off) several times and then bend the metal along the line I just scored. The metal will bend more easily on that line and you can then bend it back and forth till it breaks on the scored line.

Originally Posted by rocksteadily

I like to use a shear to cut metal and a break to make nice
clean sharp bends

took the words right out of my mouth.
you guys must do vinyl siding or roofing work.lol
or have before.

[ecoli]

Metal brake to bend metal parts. Depending on how accurate the cut needs to be, I'll either use my Dremel with cut off bit (to cut the metal) and sanding band (to clean it up), or I'll draw up the part and send it to my laser cutter !

[@tw!ll]

Here's mine.


Specs say it will shear up to 1/2" bar and 1/4" sheet. I'd have to bolt it to something a lot heavier to do that. I've personally cut 16 awg, and I have to hold the tool stand down with the other hand. Use it with 20 awg all the time. Slices right through with almost no deformation to the metal. Works great. A little overkill for the average hobbyist though.

[thumper68]

This is what I use for large cuts


I use the band saw for small stuff and the dremal or the scroll saw for intricate stuff

[nitrofingerpete]

i use nice razor knife ,, i dont have those kinda tools for that ,, i like the sheet cutter wish i had one good luck