What is the best way to cut sheet metal

[altrego30]

I like to use 16GA, Trying figure out the best way to cut it, besides a cutoff wheel.
I was thinkin about buying an
Air Powered Metal Sheer
or
Air Powered Nibbler?
:gunsfirin

[sniffles]

a guy i know showed me his air powered metal sheer and it was pretty cool. it cut through a hood of car very easily. i dont know much about nibblers but the sheer worked very well.

[Terry Skinner]

I like to use 16GA, Trying figure out the best way to cut it, besides a cutoff wheel. I was thinkin about buying an Air Powered Metal Sheer or Air Powered Nibbler? :gunsfirin

I have all three and each has its own use. The nibbler will leave a jagged edge but is great for enlarging a hole such as for a tail light. The air powered shear will cut long sweeping curves but the tighter the turn the harder to make the turns accurately. All require a flapper wheel to finish the edge. HTH..........Terry

[altrego30]

I guess more research for me, and more input from the BSR's on here....

[barstooldawg]

If you have the money have you ever considered a plasma cutter? can buy a small one for a thousand or so dollars and are very good for sheetmetal.

[altrego30]

If you have the money ... HAHAHAH.
Im in the Navy, military is the closest to welfare you can get

[sweav]

Have you checked into renting a plasma cutter. If you have a large enough air compresor to run it. I rented one and it was only around $30 if I remember right. As far as the shears or nibbler, get one large enough to cut. I have smallr ones and they won't cut heavier metal. I would rather cut with the cut off wheel if not a plasma cutter, but that's just my preference. Any way you go, you still will need to finish the edges. Did you ever find a vented cap for your tank?

[RUBICON]

This week I watched "Chop Cut Rebuild"....should be called "GRIND BURN BEAT BANG FLOG FIT"....they have a few interesting fabricators..some have unlimited tool resources....some don't...anyway..the task was cutting a dozen or so 1" wide pieces of 1/8" sheet 30" long....all with a cutoff wheel...in another show you see a air saw. ( which I have never thought much of for steel)...so..there are a lot of ways to cut sheet...depends on budget and priorities...I am one to do more with less....I get asked whene my machine shop is...and I have to say I have a tig, drill press, bandsaw, buffer made from a washing machine motor and a sander...and a big chest of hand tools...

[monkey-1]

What exactly are you trying to cut? If you can get me a template, I can cut it out with my plasma cutter for you.

[altrego30]

Headed out to sea on the 13th, I will have to wait till I get back to do anything. But thanks

[Woodchuckscustoms.com]

What exactly are you trying to cut? If you can get me a template, I can cut it out with my plasma cutter for you.

Hey Monkey I wanted to get a plasma cutter but what would be a good one to get???:cheers:

[monkey-1]

Hey Monkey I wanted to get a plasma cutter but what would be a good one to get???:cheers:

I shopped all around and after alot of research, I finally got a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 51. It will quality cut 1/2 inch, genuine cut 5/8, and sever cut 3/4. Besides the Millermatic 210 it sits next to, its the best money I have spent.

[markus]

A jigsaw with a fine toothed blade does a nice clean job. Run ducktape along each side of the line if the finish needs to be protected. i use this method all the time when cutting holes into electrical panels and they can be a good 1/8 " thick.

[BlownT]

I got them all - nibbler, shear, air saw, cut-off wheel, etc... I would say the most used one is the 3" cut-off wheel. It does not make a very good bend, but for a straight fast cut through fairly thin stuff it is good. You could also cut thru a 1" square tube frame fairly easily too. But you would prolly have to turn the frame over 3 times to do it. My air saw is nice to use too. It really all depends on what ya need to do. Check out Gearz on ESPN2. Stacy uses them all.

BT