Saws and torches can also be used on thin steel but are impractical choices unless you re cutting high volume or need to cut steel often.
Easy 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.
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.
To cut straight lines use an electric saw.
It may not be an obvious choice but fitted with the right blade a circular saw is a great metal cutting tool.
In our test it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter.
Tired of getting fingers cut on sheet metal while using tin snips.
Check out this video.
Thicker steel like pipes tubes and plates may require the use of power saws and torches.
You can cut mild steel up to about 3 8 in.
Thin gauge steel like sheet metal can be cut with a large variety of tools.
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.
If you only have one or a few to do a decent variable speed jig saw with a fine metal cutting blade will make reasonably quick work of it.
Commonly known as aviation snips or tinsnips these scissor like tools are great for cutting soft sheet metals such as tin aluminum brass and thin gauge 24 gauge or thinner steel.
Aviation snips and tin snips are a common method of cutting thin sheet metal for hobbyists.
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.
You ll also be limited to the gauges you can work with i don t believe you ll be cutting anything thicker than 16 gauge cold rolled steel with this method.
Red for left green for right and yellow for straight.
Hot metal chips will fly.
Thick using a ferrous metal cutting blade.
The lower the number the thicker the metal is.
I need a way to cut thick steel sheet meal 16 gauge that is quick and easy.
Depending on the cut shape you ll use left cut right cut or straight snips typically indicated by the handle color.
These tools are good for cutting soft sheet metals such as tin aluminum and brass.
Cut metal with your circular saw.
