Cutting Straight Line Sheet Metal

Use a pair of snips if you want to avoid power tools altogether and are working with thinner more flexible metal or need to make curved cuts.

Cutting straight line sheet metal.

This same idea i decided to take to sheet metal when using the scissor shears. Drawing a straight cut line on steel plate is easy using a large t square simply place the t square on the the edge of the steel snug and it will provide you with a straight edge to draw your line. For thin sheets of metal you can use tin snips to cut through it. And the long blades make it easy to cut straight and leave a smooth edge.

Even so your cut will probably be a little ragged. 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. This way you can simply press the edge of the torch cup against the straight edge and slowly make a straight cut. How to cut sheet metal straight with a jigsaw thanks to mr kevincaron.

An well known trick when cutting with your plasma cutter is to clamp a metal straight edge to the metal so the arc is directly over your cut line. It cuts metal almost as easily as a scissors cuts paper. One of the simplest types of press working operations is a sheet metal cutting process called a straight cutoff. Step 5 optional if your project requires cutting a hole in the center of sheet metal draw it on the metal as you would any other cut line.

As you cut one side of the sheet metal will ride up and over the. There are several ways to cut corrugated metal. Then create a pilot hole within the penciled circle. Clamp or hold a straightedge or square along the cutting marks and score a line with the tip of a sharp utility knife blade.

Use a circular saw to make long straight cuts in thicker sheets of metal. A punch separates a length of stock along a straight line. Industrial sheet metal cutting operations such as this will usually incline the punch so as to reduce the maximum force needed by distributing the required force over the. T squares usually come in 4 foot lengths so if you have to draw an 8 foot line you will need to use the t square on both sides of the steel.

And you can use the same technique anytime you need a straight cut on aluminum or other light gauge sheet metal even steel.