How To Cut Shapes In Sheet Metal

When you squeeze the handles of the tool together the cutting blade shears the sheet between two anvils rolling the waste material up in a coil as you push the tool forward a bit at a time.

How to cut shapes in sheet metal.

The fastest way to cut sheet metal in complex shapes or straight lines without a shear is a plasma torch. 2 x research source. When set to a low amperage a plasma torch won t warp the metal and can yield quick clean cuts that help you get the job done quickly. So professionally prepared sheet metals can t be taken through hacksaw cutting.

Cutting straight lines with an electric saw. Hacksaws are another non conventional tool to cut sheet metals but there are some limitations along with it. Choose a saw with a tooth number of at least 24tip teeth per inch to ensure even cuts in the metal. Put on a pair of work gloves before you wax the saw to protect your hands.

Using a straight edge clamped to the edge of the bench is also a good tip to cut thin metal precisely. Use a pair of snips if you want to avoid power tools altogether and are working with thinner more flexible metal or need to make curved cuts. There are several ways to cut corrugated metal. Sheet metal cutters work by cutting a very narrow strip of metal the width of the blade out of the sheet leaving a slot.

First of all the shape and type of the blade in a hacksaw limits the turning radius and depth of the sheet metal.