Easiest Way To Cut 16 Gauge Sheet Metal

The method you choose to cut sheet metal depends on the thickness of the metal and the type of cut you plan to make.

Easiest way to cut 16 gauge sheet metal.

Metal lath and hardware cloth can be cut with a tin snips but there s an easier way. Open the snips all the way at the beginning of a cut and seat the sheet metal as deep as possible into the opening this provides you with maximum leverage. They use to contain a wire like blade. Make sure you re using metal cutting carbon steel or bimetal blades with your band saw.

Most sheet metal cutting tools are limited to 16 gauge and thinner 14 gauge is still sheet metal but in common forms 11 gauge while technically sheet metal is 1 8 thick and not really sheet metal for the purposes of this article so we will focus on 16 gauge and thinner. For cutting steel thicker than sheet metal use the raker pattern. For cutting out holes in sheet metal it s going to be necessary that you begin with a starter hole this can be formed by using the hammer and chisel method to punch through the metal. The edges are sharp the cutoffs are stiff and get in the way the snips bind or you just can t seem to negotiate the curve.

But you don t have to be a tinsmith to cut sheet metal successfully. While cutting a 16 gauge metal sheet with that use the coarse cut method. Cutting sheet metal with snips can be tricky and frustrating. Also referred to as aviator snips these scissor like hand tools cut sheet metal materials up to 18 gauge in thickness accurately without leaving a ragged bent edge as the finished product.

Start by taping both sides of the sheet metal directly over the line you want to cut and clamp the metal to a work station so it doesn t move. Mount a diamond blade in your angle grinder and use it like a saw to cut the mesh. We recommend using a diamond blade that s labeled as a ferrous metal cutting blade but many tradespeople use a regular masonry diamond blade with good results. For a cleaner cut put a strip of masking tape on the top and bottom of the sheet to keep chips from scratching the material.

To prolong blade life rub wax along the length of the blade. There are three main blade tooth patterns raker wave and straight. A hacksaw can cut sheet metal but its shape limits its turning radius and depth of cut. To cut straight lines use an electric saw.

That might be a perfect tool to cut 16 gauge sheet metals. The lower the number the thicker the metal is. And finally use a dremel tool for cleaning it up.