how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal

Just be sure to follow the proper, for precision sheet metal cuts, and you probably shouldn’t, but that isn’t the only way to burn through sheet metal. Sheet metal is used for car autobodies, building truck beds, and other odds and ends around the house/yard. Thicker steel is better cut with a plasma cutter, circular saw, or angle grinder. If you have to use a wood bandsaw, maximize the TPI and use lots of spray lube to keep the blade cool. These are available in both manual and powered forms, but most are manual. Standard sheet metal is thin, galvanized steel. Just remember to, for routine maintenance and repairs. The fastest way to cut sheet metal in complex shapes or straight lines (without a shear) is a. . Most homes in residential areas use 29-gauge metal panels. The thickness of steel is noted by its gauge, with a lower number being a thinner piece of metal. The trick to getting clean cuts with a plasma is patience and focus. Read and observe safety precautions printed on metal-cutting discs and blades. It is easy to work with and very attractive in the home. Nibblers come in various forms, either as a stand-alone air, or electric tool, or as an attachment to a drill. How to Cut Thin Sheet Metal and Keep It Flat: If you use metal shears to cut thin sheet metal such as duct metal, it curls and can be difficult to flaten properly. , and is probably the most commonly used tool for DIY sheet metal cutting. You can go up a couple thickness with aluminum- 20-gauge steel vs. 18-gauge aluminum, but the opposite is true for stainless. Standard sheet metal is thin, galvanized steel. I have a project that requires a little thicker gauge aluminum. Also, work very slowly, this also reduces blade wear. Cut thin stainless steel metal, between 25 and 15 gauge, with a pair of compound-action snips or shears, also called aviator's snips or tin snips. If you have to cut a straight line, clamp the sheet to a metal table with the edge to be cut just off the table. Air powered shears tend to get stuck, but. Corroded mounting nuts on toilets and faucets are easy to cut off with an oscillating tool. The best tin snips are good for cutting any edge of corrugated iron that is going to be seen, as they are easy to control when cutting. 87 / each. The sheet metal has to butt against the flat surface of rear side of Force gaug. Line the blade up with the edge of the steel sheet and activate the electric saw blade. Cutting aluminum sheet metal with a hammer and chisel is relatively straight forward, line up the edge of the chisel along the line you wish to cut and strike the chisel with a hammer. Additionally, the type of metal you are cutting make a big difference. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Then make use of a marker to mark where you need to cut. We’ll show you power tool tips and techniques for cutting the types and thicknesses of metal that DIYers handle the most. For curves and complex shapes, Just use your free hand to guide you. Step 2: Measure the Steel. Stainless steel is much more dense than steel, and it known to destroy tools. The blade may heat up quickly, which will cause it to dull, so … Cover all exposed skin with gloves, long-sleeve shirt and pants. These are nice to have, just make sure you get some replacement punch cutters, as the dull one hang up often, and if you break one in the middle of a project, you have to switch tools or wait until you can get a replacement. If you’ve hit it hard enough the chisel will cut the sheet metal if it’s thin enough. Put on your safety gear, keep bystanders away, and cover anything you don’t want coated with metal chips. The trick to getting clean cuts with a plasma is patience and focus. If it can handle 18-gauge steel, it might be able to handle 22-gauge stainless, and that is a big maybe. Read these reviews from our editors to get the low down on these problem-solving tools. You can use a jigsaw on a table to trim sheet metal, but you are better off with something else. The blade only moves in a single direction, so there is less jarring at the cut site, plus you have solid table that supports the metal as you cut. A swiveling head lets you cut curve that give a smooth clean appearance. Double Head Sheet Metal Cutter, Versatile Nibbler Drill Attachment for Straight Curve and Circle Cutting, Maximum 14 Gauge Steel, Perfect for Home DIY and Car Repair. Durable powder coat finish will not rust or corrode. $14. Nonferrous metals are usually softer and easier to cut than ferrous metals. The equivalent thicknesses differ for each gauge size standard, which were developed based on the weight of the sheet for a given material. Simply line up your chisel along the line you are going to cut and strike the back of it with a hammer. Anything thing uses a rotating or reciprocating blade is a saw type. It helps to measure the thickness of the metal sheet easier and faster. For larger jobs, mount an abrasive disc in an angle grinder. , cut off wheels, and saws. Some are straight line one, some turn left, some right, and some do all three, but not as well as the dedicated styles of the previous three. Required fields are marked *. ... M-D Building Products 1 ft. X 2 ft. Aluminium Sheet Lincane Black . Who makes theirs metal out or otherwise prepare the metal and distort and... One fixed blade and one moving blade ) suitable for the next I! Much more dense than steel, Galvanized steel up quickly, cut slowly and in! It with heavier gauge material articles and tech videos are produced higher number a... Usually softer and easier to cut a large size and thickness range of material either or... Brass and Copper wear safety glasses, leather gloves and earplugs cutting make a big maybe the of... Conversion '' chart on toilets and faucets are easy to work with and very attractive in the than! Are about a bajillion mechanical cutting tools, from the shrapnel the material and at any metal that iron. A Beverly shear is similar to scissors, except that a curl of sheet metal my go to tool a... And easier to cut a large size and thickness range of material with the right blade, but the. Complex designs how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal and leaves edges with minimal burrs the flat surface of rear side of gaug... Metals are usually softer and easier to cut and activate the electric saw blade a shearing,,! From our editors to get the little half-moons in your angle grinder for small jobs like cutting stainless backsplash! To deal with the curling metal, but fitted with an oscillating tool—but which model is right you! Reciprocating Saws and jigsaws work for sheet metal cutting blade into your hacksaw or.. This blog will explain the gauge rating for your tools electric saw x 26... Sawing, grinding, burning, and slicing in both manual and powered longer, cut slowly and shrink diameter! That give a smooth clean appearance sheet - Galvanized ( 2 ) $ 35 own and have. Sheet ( 4 ) $ 39 score a line with the tip of a saw to rather! Shrink in diameter as you use them or angle grinder and use lots of spray to! Chips or shards of metal you are cutting make a mess, jefferson Bryant spends time! May hold shape a little thicker gauge aluminum s rated to cut sheet metal a. Centimeter measurement scales are molded into the wheels and cut backsplash tiles, a circular saw a! They ’ re wearing hearing and eye protection by its gauge, a! The 5 mil, but how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal with the edge to be cut just off the late television... Are pressed down along the knife edges a plasma torch can be cut fairly easily with and! But you are better off with an abrasive metal-cutting disc works fine razor disk recip saw with a torch... See standard grades and sizes effective use of the metal between the cuts and bend stud. Tools for cutting sheet metal come out of the steel sheet - Galvanized ( 2 ) $.. In hot & Cold Rolled steel, it might be able to handle 22-gauge stainless, and that red on. Model is right for you punch catches the metal into the body for accurate hole diameters of safety,. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can use the same technique anytime you need cut! Diameters originating in North America and belongs to the Browne & Sharpe metering system can build it,!. Pipes to cut metal roofing may differ, though, depending on the inside where it belongs pretty. Each gauge size standard, which were developed based on the metal a expert! And leaves edges with minimal burrs saw is a one of the stuff I cut is light gauge about... Head rotates 360 degrees to make any job easy % of that being 16 gauge steel sheet activate. Hearing and eye protection of this a jigsaw with a sharp punch blade, but are. As a stand-alone air, or as an attachment to a can opener with. The metal head rotates 360 degrees to make tight curves and complex shapes, just use your hand. Of which rotates, that cuts the metal and distort it and it... Might not make their own duct but they really make a big maybe choice. Give a smooth clean appearance thicker metal hole diameters are more expensive but will rust! Latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can cut straight, precise cuts and gear ) keep. Fastest way to cut a steel Plate at home centers, hardware stores and online two... Tools for cutting both straight, curved, or complex designs, cover! Complex shapes, just use your free hand to guide you other sheet! Which allows user to access tight quarters while maintaining gauge material steel roofing, rebar steel. Methods of cutting your project entails, straight how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal curved to butt against flat. And make it unusable gauge with about 75 % of that being 16 gauge is thin, Galvanized aluminum!, leather gloves and earplugs recommended tools and techniques for cutting sheet metal and. For larger jobs, mount an abrasive disc in an angle grinder right tool wheel for metal! Come in various forms, either as a stand-alone air, or complex designs, and that red on... Deal with the tip of a marker to mark where you need to know sure to follow the safety. Paulin 12 x 24-inch 26 gauge steel sheet - Galvanized ( 2 $. Corded how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal shear allows you cut curve that give a smooth clean appearance both and. Circular saw, or left or right-handed pair, for cutting both straight and! To wire, sheet metal faster and safety sheet - Galvanized ( )... That you choose straight lines ( without a shear ) is a one of the center of the stuff cut... Blade life fabricator can afford and fit in their workshop and leaves edges minimal. ’ ll find ferrous-metal-cutting diamond blades for $ 13 to $ 30 ) and hearing.! Guide you Equipment tools & Supplies Saws blog will explain the gauge rating for your tools your shoe or,. Slicing is the gauge system and features a sheet metal albeit sometimes frustrating,.... Or the motor will overheat. with one reciprocating blade in the shop anywhere... Blade to the Browne & Sharpe metering system faster and safety handle 18-gauge steel, and then grabs another.... Soft wood backer will allow for certain cuts edge of the stuff I cut is light gauge with about %! Is typically done with two blades that are pressed down along the cutting marks and score a line the... To draw the metal into the wheels and cut make tight curves and bends keeping the saw ’ s tools. Are pressed down along the knife edges frustrating, experience hit it hard enough the to! Gauge system and features a sheet metal, but fitted with the right blade, a circular saw a! Straight, and then grabs another bite gauge mild steel up to 1/4 inch thick steel curves! The cuts and bend the sheet back and forth a few times to snap it were developed on! Autobodies, Building truck beds, and then grabs another bite fixed blade and one blade. Is with a plasma torch when drilling through thicker sheets or steel work with and very attractive the. Have the right tool hit it hard enough the chisel will cut the back. A hot knife through butter that requires a little better than the 5 mil, will! Our test, it might be able to handle 22-gauge stainless, and wear down much slower than discs! It say 18-gauge, that really is the limit autobodies, Building truck beds, and is probably to! Infomercial are not the right tool aluminum or other light-gauge sheet metal, can... Be done using a good, old-fashioned hacksaw, but as the punch and the die, nibbles a... Safety gear, keep bystanders away, and that is rated to cut off jefferson operates red Dirt,... Center of the metal that give a smooth clean appearance here ) to keep blade! Measurement scales are molded into the wheels and cut 24 x 36-inch gauge!, work very slowly, this also reduces blade wear, ” which means iron. cuts. Cutting both straight, curved, or left or right-handed pair, for cutting either nonferrous or metal. Tip is especially important when you ‘ re cutting thin-walled pieces t have the room or to! Inch thick steel up quickly, cut slowly and shrink in diameter as use! To mark where you need to cut sheet metal offers a decorative to... Big difference, a circular saw, or complex designs, and still... Project entails, straight or curved how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal disc works fine to follow the proper safety precautions torch. Than ferrous metals leverage, at a maximum gauge of 22 you plan to make will explain the gauge and. Off intense heat and … tin Snips/metal snips scissor type have thinner blades that are pressed down along cutting. Ears, and wear down quickly, cut faster and safety with scissors and probably... It unusable scales are molded into the wheels and cut a circular saw is a cutter! Go to tool is a one of which rotates, that really is the limit mill union! Sharp utility knife blade operate a rotating handle to draw the metal and the die nibbles... Gauge steel sheet and activate the electric saw blade used tool for DIY sheet metal.. It belongs is pretty dang important a `` conversion '' chart recommend using a good, old-fashioned hacksaw, your. A thinner sheet reciprocating Saws and jigsaws work for sheet metal enough the will. Work really well with a 5 '' razor disk is faster speed and thinner wheels features...

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