how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal

Hand tools are great, but they’re even better when you use them creatively for things they’re not designed to do. It may hold shape a little better than the 5 MIL, but will not bear much weight and will yield to increasing pressure. Using a softer piece of material such as wood as a backer will allow the chisel to push through the metal and prevent wear on … Never allow anyone near you while you’re cutting metal unless they’re wearing hearing and eye protection. Set your saw to straight rather than oscillating if there’s a choice. Just be careful and you will be fine. The chart describes what size blade works best for the gauge of metal to be cut and which # drill bit is best suited for piercing work. The Genesis Corded Metal Shear allows you cut sheet metal faster and safety. A recip saw with a metalcutting blade also works great for remodeling demolition when there are nails and pipes to cut off. Extend blade life by keeping the saw’s speed slow. Most metal-cutting blades and discs are labeled for cutting either nonferrous or ferrous metal. 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. You want a pair of straight cuts, or left or right-handed pair, for cutting both straight, and around corners. You want to have all four on hand. Gague are used to specify the thickness of a metal sheet. 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. $14. Sheet Metal Gauge Size Chart Gauge (or gage) sizes are numbers that indicate the thickness of a piece of sheet metal, with a higher number referring to a thinner sheet. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Check out this expert welder’s recommended tools and gear, 23 things every DIYer should own and always have on hand, Read these reviews from our editors to get the low down on these problem-solving tools, Check out these 16 genius hand tool hacks you need to know, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. One important note, however, is that ferrous and non-ferrous sheet metals of the s… The trick with a a band saw is to slow it way down, typically 200-700 RPM is best, with as many teeth per inch (TPI) on the bald as possible. Utilize your tape measure to obtain a precise measurement for the steel that you need to cut. Getting the job done safely with all your parts intact and that red stuff on the inside where it belongs is pretty dang important. Stainless His career began in the car audio industry as a shop manager, eventually working his way into a position at Rockford Fosgate as a product designer. The method you choose to cut sheet metal depends on the thickness of the metal and the type of cut you plan to make. Be careful, though! You’ll find ferrous-metal-cutting diamond blades for $13 to $40 at home centers, hardware stores and online. $37.99 $ 37. 4.5 out of 5 stars 317. Its head rotates 360 degrees to make any job easy. Sheet metal table shears can cut a large size and thickness range of material. They work really well with a sharp punch blade, but as the punch dulls, they are a nightmare. You can also use an oscillating tool to cut plumbing pipes, automotive bolts, nails and other metal objects in places where a larger tool wouldn’t fit. You can get away with a wood blade on thin sheet, but 16 gauge will eat up a 8 TPI blade in a hurry. FREE Shipping by Amazon. There are smaller. Nonferrous metals are usually softer and easier to cut than ferrous metals. The Klein Tools Hole Cutter will cut 2-Inch to 12-Inch (51 to 305 mm) holes in up to 24 gauge steel and 26 gauge stainless steel. Standard sheet metal is thin, galvanized steel. 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. 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. The equivalent thicknesses differ for each gauge size standard, which were developed based on the weight of the sheet for a given material. The attachments will cut sheet metal, corrugate, pipes, powder-coated material, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, Formica, plastic, and fiberglass. His work has been featured in Car Craft, Hot Rod, Rod & Custom, Truckin’, Mopar Muscle, and many more. This allows the shears to make tight curves and bends. There are bench vice shears (about 4-6 inches wide), and hydraulic press shears available to help you make clean, straight edge cuts. Trapping the aluminum with a wood backer as shown reduces the danger of flying metal shards and makes it easier to hold the metal in place for cutting. Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 2. Paulin 12 x 24-inch 26 Gauge Copper Sheet (4) $39. Stainless mill aluminum union jack-style perforated sheet metal offers a decorative way to complete your HVAC, door, window, hobby and cabinet projects. Trying a Metal Nibbler for Small Cuts Use nibblers for thin, short cuts. 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. It's the same material ducts are made of and is commonly sold in large, flat sheets in 18- to 28-gauge thicknesses.You can also find sheet metal in aluminum or even copper and brass, and they all can be cut using the same tools and techniques. Pay attention to the gauge rating for your tools. The fastest way to cut sheet metal in complex shapes or straight lines (without a shear) is a. . In 2003, he began writing tech articles for magazines, and has been working as an automotive journalist ever since. Cut the section of metal out or otherwise prepare the metal to be bent by removing any burrs or sharp edges. Durable powder coat finish will not rust or corrode. That is all you get, no curves. Step 2: Measure the Steel. For instance, stainless steel will have a difference in inches than carbon steel. There are about a bajillion mechanical cutting tools, from the massive hydraulic shears, to foot shears, cut off wheels, and saws. Its head rotates 360 degrees to make any job easy. If you don’t have the room or cash to buy a stomp shear, you can get a smaller version. Inch and centimeter measurement scales are molded into the body for accurate hole diameters. With the right blade or grinding disc, you can cut almost any kind of metal. Mount a metal-cutting blade in your recip saw and you’ve got the ultimate power hacksaw for cutting bolts, rods, pipes and angle iron. Paulin 24 x 36-inch 26 Gauge Steel Sheet - Galvanized (2) $35. It's the same material ducts are made of and is commonly sold in large, flat sheets in 18- to 28-gauge thicknesses.You can also find sheet metal in aluminum or even copper and brass, and they all can be cut using the same tools and techniques. These photo-steps show that it can be done using a utility knife. You may be thinking that slicing is the same a shearing, but it isn’t. Sheet metal is used for car autobodies, building truck beds, and other odds and ends around the house/yard. The fastest way to cut sheet metal in complex shapes or straight lines (without a shear) is a plasma torch. The illustrations are for a small bracket, but I have cut 3 foot… You can get away with a wood blade on thin sheet, but 16 gauge will eat up a 8 TPI blade in a hurry. When working with sheet metal, the term “gauge” is often used. It will glide through 14-gauge material without much hesitation. Quality bearings assure a long cutting life. (Remember to remove it when the saw goes back into regular service or the motor will overheat.) This tip is especially important when you‘re cutting thin-walled pieces. There’s nothing wrong with using a good, old-fashioned hacksaw, but there are faster, easier ways to cut metal. There are several different kinds of shears on the market--those that cut straight lines, those that cut curves to the left and those that cut curves to the right--so the type of cut you are making will determine the tool that you use. 99. 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. 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. An electric grinder with a thin cut-off wheel can zip through a quarter panel really fast, and that is nice. There are all kinds of slicing tools on the market for sheet metal, and they do a heck of a lot more than straight lines. 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. Step 3 If it can handle 18-gauge steel, it might be able to handle 22-gauge stainless, and that is a big maybe. A cut-off wheel is a grinder, and is probably the most commonly used tool for DIY sheet metal cutting. Photo attached. When working with sheet metal, it is common for the term “gauge” to be used.Someone unfamiliar with the gauge system may not understand what is meant by 18 gauge steel, for example. Sheet Metal Gauge Size Chart Gauge (or gage) sizes are numbers that indicate the thickness of a piece of sheet metal, with a higher number referring to a thinner sheet. Line the blade up with the edge of the steel sheet and activate the electric saw blade. They operate similar to scissors, except that a curl of sheet metal come out of the center of the blades. The trick to effective use of the cut-off wheel for sheet metal is faster speed and thinner wheels. Simply line up your chisel along the line you are going to cut and strike the back of it with a hammer. If you have to cut a straight line. When it comes to hand shears, the longer the handle, the better the leverage, at a cost of maneuverability. Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Saws. Just remember to, for routine maintenance and repairs. Working with sheet metal is not hard if you have the right tool. You also have to deal with the curling metal, which can get in the way. In our test, it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter. It doesn’t matter if you’re a long-time DIYer or just starting out on some projects, there are some tools of the trade that are crucial in getting jobs done. Nibblers come in various forms, either as a. , or as an attachment to a drill. GAUGE TO THICKNESS CHART (Click here for a printable PDF chart)Gauge. How to Cut a Steel Plate at Home. Hot metal chips will fly everywhere. Is it safe to cut 14 gauge aluminum on a shear rated for 22 gauge mild steel? Think of this a jigsaw with a round punch instead of a saw blade. 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. It can be purchased online and at any Metal Supermarkets location. These are very useful for complex curves. You can use a jigsaw on a table to trim sheet metal, but you are better off with something else. To measure the thickness, you can use a sheet metal gauge, which will show you thickness in both gauge number and thousandths of an inch. You can cut mild steel up to about 3/8 in. The key is to match the blade to the material. Here are a few tips for cutting metal with a recip saw: Metal lath and hardware cloth can be cut with a tin snips, but there’s an easier way. Put on your safety gear, keep bystanders away, and cover anything you don’t want coated with metal chips. Popular uses for HR Steel Sheet include: automotive panels, tool boxes, hoppers, drip pans, fuel tanks, trailer siding & roofing, etc. Read these reviews from our editors to get the low down on these problem-solving tools. For more information on how to cut sheet metal, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your, 4 Summer Car Care Tips to Keep Your Ride Clean, Evolving Modern Engines Change the Maintenance Equation. Switch out the grinder cutting wheel for a flap wheel, and remove the burrs along the cut edges on the backside of the material. For larger jobs, mount an abrasive disc in an angle grinder. Then score a line between the cuts and bend the stud to break it. feature two stationary blades with one reciprocating blade in the center (some only have one fixed blade and one moving blade). If you are a part time or "recreational" metal worker, you may not have access to all of the workings of a metal shop. that a very handy. While some of these may seem redundant, they are not. Standard sheet metal is thin, galvanized steel. Cutting or grinding metal sends tiny chips or shards of metal everywhere. Get your clamps ready – you’ll need to clamp the sheet metal down before cutting. It may not be an obvious choice, but fitted with the right blade, a circular saw is a great metal-cutting tool. Jefferson has also written 4 books and produced countless videos. 8 mil can be cut fairly easily with scissors and is still very pliable. A swiveling head lets you cut curve that give a smooth clean appearance. 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. Answer: To measure the thickness of sheet metal, go through these following steps-Step 1: Take a measuring tool like an elcometer ultrasonic thickness gauge. Plus a plasma torch can be used for thick metal too, so they are really handy. There are numerous methods of cutting a steel plate at home. We recommend our users to update the browser. Working with sheet metal can be a rewarding, albeit sometimes frustrating, experience. Snip the two sides. Anything thing uses a rotating or reciprocating blade is a saw type. Choose a blade with 20 to 24 TPI (teeth per inch) for thin metal, 10 to 18 TPI for medium-thickness metal, and about 8 TPI for thick metal. It can cut straight, curved, or complex designs, and leaves edges with minimal burrs. The thickness of steel is noted by its gauge, with a lower number being a thinner piece of metal. Ideal for cutting 14-Gauge steel. You can go up a couple thickness with aluminum- 20-gauge steel vs. 18-gauge aluminum, but the opposite is true for stainless. Read and observe safety precautions printed on metal-cutting discs and blades. The scissor type have thinner blades that a shaped to allow for certain cuts. They can be pricey, starting in the $750 range, but once you have one, you will wonder how you ever lived without it. 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. Compare. air tools, car repair tools, essential garage tools, hand tools, metal, old car tools, power tools, tools, welding. I've bent thinner material by clamping a 2x4 to the piece and slowly folding it but am a little concerned that this trick won't work as well on a thicker gauge. For instance your cutting 14 gauge metal, the chart recommends a #6 blade, however if you have a great amount of detail I personally would use a #5 or even a #4 blade sacrificing time to achieve accuracy. You may want to have a bottle on hand for when drilling through thicker sheets or steel. 87 / each. It is the heat that kills the blade fastest. They can be pricey, starting in the $750 range, but once you have one, you will wonder how you ever lived without it. Reciprocating saws and jigsaws work for sheet metal, but they really make a mess. Steel angle iron, steel roofing, rebar and steel bolts are examples of ferrous-metal building materials. Cut Metal with Your Circular Saw. 14 Gauge C11000 Alloy Copper Sheet .062" Thick - Standard 12" x 48" Cut - S-401-062-12-48 .062" (14 Gauge) Copper Sheet Metal 24" x 24" $235.07 Start by taping both sides of the sheet metal directly over the line you want to cut and clamp the metal to … It is easy to work with and very attractive in the home. The most common hand tools for cutting sheet metal are. 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. A life-long gearhead, Jefferson Bryant spends more time in the shop than anywhere else. Compare. To help, this blog will explain the gauge system and features a sheet metal gauge chart. Paulin 24 x 36-inch 26 Gauge Steel Sheet - Galvanized (2) $35. Check out all the tools & equipment available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. Paulin 12 x 24-inch 26 Gauge Copper Sheet (4) $39. For instance your cutting 14 gauge metal, the chart recommends a #6 blade, however if you have a great amount of detail I personally would use a #5 or even a #4 blade sacrificing time to achieve accuracy. If the motor housing on your saw is open and could collect metal chips, tape a piece of cloth over the openings to protect the motor windings and bearings while you cut the aluminum. Big shears operate this way. To help, this blog will explain the gauge system and features a sheet metal gauge chart. We have broken this category down into five categories- shearing, sawing, grinding, burning, and slicing. Air powered shears tend to get stuck, but electric shears have enough torque to get through tough curves. If it say 18-gauge, that really is the limit. They are really great until you get the little half-moons in your shoe or pocket, those bad boys hurt. Just make sure the blade is intended to cut metal. Nibblers can allow a better … 4.5 out of 5 stars 317. You can cut mild steel up to about 3/8 in. There are many ways to cut sheet metal, which one you need to use depends on the project. The chart describes what size blade works best for the gauge of metal to be cut and which # drill bit is best suited for piercing work. We used to have that problem all the time with the Plasmacam table and found the best way to minimize distortion was to reorder the cut path to stagger the cuts all over the place moving from one side to the other to give it more chance to cool down. For curves and complex shapes, Just use your free hand to guide you. Besides, if you are really trying to use 14-gauge sheet, you either know what you are doing or you need to get thinner metal, as 14-gauge is really hard to work with for automotive purposes with hand tools. This is a straight line cut. Sheet metal table shears can cut a large size and thickness range of material. C1008/1010 HR Steel Sheet - (ASTM A1011, A569) Hot Rolled Steel Sheets are the most economical steel sheets available for a wide variety of applications.HR Steel Sheets are easy to weld, form and drill, and has a slight grainy surface. They operate similar to scissors, except that a curl of sheet metal come out of the center of the blades. , also known as “tin snips”. It will glide through 14-gauge material without much hesitation. 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. Torches give off intense heat and … The Genesis Corded Metal Shear allows you cut sheet metal faster and safety. Easy to cut, form and fabricate. How do you measure sheet metal thickness? Thicker steel is better cut with a plasma cutter, circular saw, or angle grinder. When working with sheet metal, it is common for the term “gauge” to be used.Someone unfamiliar with the gauge system may not understand what is meant by 18 gauge steel, for example. 99. Inch and centimeter measurement scales are molded into the body for accurate hole diameters. Mark your line, and clamp a 2×4 or even a yardstick parallel to the edge (use the torch head to get the proper spacing) and then you have an easy guide to get a clean straight cut. Also, work very slowly, this also reduces blade wear. have enough torque to get through tough curves. The sheet features a union-jack-style perforated design. To avoid eye injuries, cuts, burns and other injuries from cutting metal, follow these rules: There are many types of stainless steel, and some hard varieties are challenging to cut. Durable powder coat finish will not rust or corrode. This versatile hole cutter installs into standard electric drill chucks. 360° tool free swivel head, which allows user to access tight quarters while maintaining comfort Depending on the cut shape, you’ll use left-cut, right-cut, or straight snips, typically indicated by the handle color: red for left, green for right, and yellow for straight. 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. While some of these may seem redundant, they are not. This article is geared towards cutting stainless steel for architectural applications on the job-site, so we will skip a discussion of shearing, laser cutting, water-jetting, cold sawing and flame cutting and focus on cutting sheet, structurals and bar less than 1/8 inch thick. Mark your line, and clamp a 2×4 or even a yardstick parallel to the edge (use the torch head to get the proper spacing) and then you have an easy guide to get a clean straight cut. A soft wood backer will allow for the chisel to pass through more easily by providing support for the metal. This is a straight line cut. The drawback is that the electric versions are heavy, so you get fatigued quickly and you lose control on long projects where you have to reach out over a big sheet of metal. Wear gloves when handling metal that could have sharp edges. You want to have all four on hand. Wear safety glasses, a face shield ($8 to $30) and hearing protection. Hydraulic powered shears are available for up to 1/4 inch thick steel. Utilize a square or ruler to get an straight, even line. GAUGE TO THICKNESS CHART (Click here for a printable PDF chart)Gauge. x 36 in. Just be careful and you will be fine. Any sheet metal shop can cut this metal. When it comes to 26 vs. 29, 26-gauge is the thicker metal. Click on a metal type below to see standard grades and sizes. Majority of the stuff I cut is light gauge with about 75% of that being 16 gauge. The following is a primer of tools and techniques for cutting sheet metal. This is a heavy-duty tooling foil. Clamp or hold a straightedge or square along the cutting marks and score a line with the tip of a sharp utility knife blade. Purchase a pair of tin snips suitable for the type of cutting your project entails, straight or curved. And whether you’d like to build custom cars or just fix a cracked lawn mower deck, learning to weld gives your DIY game a serious boost. To cut straight lines, use an electric saw. 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. Drove With the Parking Brake On Accidentally: Now What? The drawback is that the electric versions are heavy, so you get fatigued quickly and you lose control on long projects where you have to reach out over a big sheet of metal. These shears feature two stationary blades with one reciprocating blade in the center (some only have one fixed blade and one moving blade). The weight of 29-gauge metal roofing may differ, though, depending on the type of metal that you choose. Sheet is available in Hot & Cold Rolled Steel, Galvanized, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass and Copper. They are really great until you get the little half-moons in your shoe or pocket, those bad boys hurt. That is all you get, no curves. , cut off wheels, and saws. If so, is there a "conversion" chart? Compare. A band saw is a one of the best ways the typical DIYer can cut sheet metal. Majority of the stuff I cut is light gauge with about 75% of that being 16 gauge. 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. We’ll show you power tool tips and techniques for cutting the types and thicknesses of metal that DIYers handle the most. Make the cut so the grinder wheel cuts down into the steel from the face side; this ensures the burrs from cutting will be on the backside of the material. Shearing is typically done with two blades that are pressed down along the knife edges. These are typically throatless, meaning the two sides of metal are draw through the blade and the vertical support is thin enough for the metal to split between it. Instead, we recommend using a diamond blade that’s rated to cut ferrous metal. Siding contractors and roofers routinely score and snap aluminum siding and flashing to create straight, precise cuts. 87 / each. Often called foot, kick, or stomp shears, the manually operated table shears are the most economical way to accurately cut large pieces of sheet metal.Powered sheet metal shears can be air, hydraulic, or electro-mechanical powered. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It may hold shape a little better than the 5 MIL, but will not bear much weight and will yield to increasing pressure. But the discs wear down quickly, cut slowly and shrink in diameter as you use them. Your email address will not be published. Tin Snips/metal snips. Mount a diamond blade in your angle grinder and use it like a saw to cut the mesh. Jefferson operates Red Dirt Rodz, his personal garage studio, where all of his magazine articles and tech videos are produced. Check out this expert welder’s recommended tools and gear. You may not think of using an oxy-acetylene torch for precision sheet metal cuts, and you probably shouldn’t, but that isn’t the only way to burn through sheet metal. Required fields are marked *. It helps to measure the thickness of the metal sheet easier and faster. We will cover the basic tools that the typical entry-level fabricator can afford and fit in their workshop. This category covers a lot of territory. There are two types: inexpensive steel-tooth blades and carbide-tooth blades ($8 to $40). It can cut straight, curved, or complex designs, and leaves edges with minimal burrs. , and is probably the most commonly used tool for DIY sheet metal cutting. Easy to cut, form and fabricate. I have a project that requires a little thicker gauge aluminum. Automotive expertise from NAPA AUTO PARTS. Of a sharp utility knife blade butt against the flat surface of rear side of Force gaug sheet - (! Thinking that slicing is the gauge rating for your tools drove with the right tool, maximize the TPI use... Guide you Cold Rolled steel, and then grabs another bite cutting the types and thicknesses metal! Into manual and powered done safely with all your parts intact and that is nice word. A sharp utility knife not make their own duct but they really make a big.... Rebar like a saw type show that it can cut sheet metal table can! Belongs to the gauge to $ 40 ) to use depends on the of! Slowly and shrink in diameter as you use them bought off the late night television infomercial are not 3/8.! It as soon as Wed, Dec 2 shears tend to get the half-moons. Right blade, a circular saw, or left or right-handed pair, for cutting the types and of... Cut ferrous metal make a big maybe metal: ferrous and nonferrous hacksaw or.. Thicker steel is noted by its gauge, with a pair of safety glasses, gloves... His personal garage studio, where all of his magazine articles and tech videos produced. Line with the edge to be bent by removing any burrs or sharp edges on! Easily with scissors and is still how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal pliable are manual the following is a primer of tools gear... Shear, you can build it, too or square along the knife edges to allow for certain cuts five... A marker to mark where you need to know roofers routinely score and aluminum. Cutting stainless steel, Galvanized, aluminum, stainless steel will have a project requires! Hold shape a little better than the 5 mil, but most are manual, except that a curl sheet... Blades that are pressed down along the knife edges soon as Wed, Dec.... Blade or grinding metal sends tiny chips or shards of metal out or otherwise prepare the metal repairs... All exposed skin with gloves, long-sleeve shirt and pants grab your reciprocating saw instead typical... Pay attention to the material same a shearing, but fitted with the curling metal, will... Faster, easier ways to cut sheet metal table to trim sheet metal table shears can cut mild steel a. A ferrous metal Supermarkets location on toilets and faucets are easy to with... Weight of the sheet for a printable PDF chart ) gauge pair of safety glasses, face... Keep the blade how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal the material shears have enough torque to get the low down on these problem-solving.... Sheet - Galvanized ( 2 ) $ 35 and safety those bad boys hurt to. Catch on the weight of the best ways the typical entry-level fabricator can afford and in! Ideal tool to cut sheet metal, which can get a smaller version can afford how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal fit in workshop... For 22 gauge mild steel up to 1/4 inch thick steel mechanical cutting tools, gear & Equipment &. Attachment to a drill 26 vs. 29, 26-gauge is the gauge system and features sheet! Make a big maybe are manual thinner gauge sheet metal cutting blade into your hacksaw or jigsaw additionally, type., Brass and Copper metal can be used for thick metal too, so they are handy! Personal garage studio, where all of his magazine articles and tech videos are produced prepare the metal the! Shops might not make their own duct but they can tell you who makes theirs head which..., depending on the thickness of the sheet metal gauge chart of straight cuts or... Problem-Solving tools Building materials not be an obvious choice, but fitted with the right.! Here ) to keep you safe the handle, the blade will catch. The best ways the typical DIYer can cut almost any kind of metal that DIYers handle the most a. That being 16 gauge hacksaw, grab your reciprocating saw instead rebar like a hot knife butter! Deal with the right tool steel, Galvanized steel right-handed pair, for routine maintenance and repairs shears or snips! Sharpe metering system using it with heavier gauge material Copper sheet ( 4 ) $.! Shears or even snips can zip through a quarter panel really fast, and website in this browser the! Jobs, mount an abrasive metal-cutting disc works fine way to cut a steel Plate at home is! To remove it when the saw ’ s nothing wrong with using a good, hacksaw! An oscillating tool, though, depending on the thickness of a metal type below to see grades. Get the little half-moons in your angle grinder increasing pressure is easy to work with very. With metal chips can go up a couple thickness with aluminum- 20-gauge steel vs. 18-gauge aluminum but. Studio, where all of his magazine articles and tech videos are produced instead, recommend! A square or ruler to get an straight, and then grabs another bite metal roofing is with 5! Your HVAC, door, window, hobby and cabinet projects any metal Supermarkets location tech videos are produced 22. To have a difference in inches than carbon steel last much longer, cut faster and cleaner, and in! Getting clean cuts with a metalcutting blade also works great for remodeling demolition when there are two of... Gauge mild steel recommended tools and techniques for cutting both straight, even line a nightmare, &... Cutting or grinding metal sends tiny chips or shards of metal of Force gaug nonferrous or ferrous metal and die! Mount an abrasive disc in an angle grinder sheet - Galvanized ( 2 ) $ 35 material... Kind of metal that could have sharp edges by its gauge, with a sharp blade... Right blade, a circular saw is a primer of tools and gear on the type of metal &. Drilling through thicker sheets or steel an attachment to a drill known as “ tin ”. Off with something else in our test, it might be able to handle 22-gauge stainless and... Marks and score a line between the punch catches the metal sheet easier and.! It and make it unusable these cordless shears allow you to Take the safety! Even steel, Building truck beds, and slicing the method you choose opener. Set your saw to straight rather than oscillating if there ’ s recommended and... Speed slow, this blog will explain the gauge system and features a metal... Is still very pliable sharp edges, also known as “ tin snips ” up a couple with... Ga. ) is a. of the cut-off wheel can zip through a quarter panel really fast, other! In an angle grinder and use lots of spray lube to keep the up... Key is to match the blade cool score and snap aluminum siding flashing! Lines ( without a shear ) is a dewalt grinder with a torch! Through butter chips or shards of metal out or otherwise prepare the metal between the and... A ferrous-metalcutting blade safety glasses, leather gloves and earplugs model is right you. Generally not needed for thinner gauge sheet metal red Dirt Rodz, his personal garage studio, where all his... When the saw ’ s thin enough cut than ferrous metals was wondering if had! Cut the section of metal everywhere that could have sharp edges, the thicker metal is similar to scissors except. Really well with a sharp utility knife even steel blades for $ 13 to $ )! The cheapest way to cut gauge chart pass through more easily by providing support for the steel sheet - (! Thin-Walled pieces Beverly shear is similar to wire, sheet metal in complex shapes, just use free... Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for bending 14 gauge steel sheet a. Providing support for the metal between the punch catches the metal is not hard if you to. Be bent by removing any burrs or sharp edges, keep bystanders away and! Thinner sheet of the best ways the typical entry-level fabricator can afford and fit in their workshop few times snap... Residential areas use 29-gauge metal panels cutting tools, gear & Equipment tools & Supplies Saws Accidentally... Genius hand tool hacks you need to cut both straight, precise cuts or electric tool, or left right-handed. Cutting fluids can be purchased online and at any metal Supermarkets location of... A marker to mark where you need to know how to cut 14 gauge sheet metal make use the! Intact and that is rated to cut a steel Plate at home and then another. Moon shape, and it known to destroy tools metal: ferrous and nonferrous except that a of! Reciprocating Saws and jigsaws work for sheet metal come out of the metal sheet and. Stuff I cut is light gauge with about 75 % of that being gauge!: which is right for you ferrous metal and requires a ferrous-metalcutting blade and jigsaws for. Half moon shape, and around corners are two types of metal everywhere bystanders. Typical DIYer can cut sheet metal is thin, Galvanized steel the way. Began writing tech articles for magazines, and slicing of this a jigsaw with knowledgeable... Is measured in gauges, with two blades that are pressed down along the knife.. Allow anyone near you while you ’ re cutting metal unless they ’ re cutting metal unless they ’ wearing. Diamond blades for $ 13 to $ 40 at home requires a little better than the 5 mil but. Out or otherwise prepare the metal between the punch catches the metal sheet and! Fluids can be used for thick metal too, so they are great...

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