How To Cut Thick Copper Sheet

Work gloves must be worn during the cutting process as the cutting edge of the copper is very sharp.

How to cut thick copper sheet.

While you can still cut the copper material with the plasma cutter you should not force it and cut too fast. 3 mil is used for various arts and crafts electrical and research and development applications. You can use barkeepers powdered cleaner bon ami is similar or if you want to go all natural baking soda lemon juice and dish liquid work pretty good. Perhaps the easiest way to cut copper sheet metal shears or tin snips are ideal for making straight cuts in high and medium gauge sheet metal.

Elevate and support one edge of sheet with free hand allowing entry point for cut enough clearance for metal cutting sheer to proceed. Begin cut with metal cutting sheer. These tags are made of 020 thick 24 gauge copper material. There are three tools that kevin caron uses a lot to get a precise cut from a thin piece of metal.

Then bend the sheet back and forth a few times to snap it. Once the copper sheet has been marked where it needs to be cut the sheers blades are positioned on each side of the sheet as would be regular scissors when cutting paper. You can use the same trick to cut metal studs. Before you start cutting i would recommend taping couple of your major fingers.

Take your time and let the cutter work its way through the copper for a straighter and even cut. The sheers handles are brought together to cut through the sheet. Another tool is a plate shear for cutting slightly. Measure the dimensions needed with tape measure.

Snip the two sides. Draw your shapes you want to cut onto copper with pencil or a sharpie marker. It is approximately twice as thick as 1 4 mil and 4 5 times household aluminum. One tool is a foot shear or a jump shear.

See a video thickness guide of 3 mil below. Apply a thin layer of paraffin or saw wax to the blade just enough to cover the surface before making any cuts in the metal. Clamp or hold a straightedge or square along the cutting marks and score a line with the tip of a sharp utility knife blade. Metal is difficult for saws to cut and rubbing wax along the blade helps prolong its sharpness.

The cricut machine cannot cut metal anywhere near this thick so if you want to work with thicker materials like this you will need to buy a pre cut tag or shape. Mark the required dimensions on the surface of the sheet using marking tool and straightedge. They have a plastic covering that you have to peel off on one side. Cutting slower will also give you plenty of opportunity to blow away the bits and pieces of copper and dust caused by the cutting process.