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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Best way to cut steel panels?

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Neal

10-21-2003 19:42:48

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I need to build a shelter in the pasture for my wife's horses. The bottom half will be of pressure treated wood and the top half and roof will be of 28ga steel panels. What is the best way to cut these panels so they have a clean edge? Do they make a special type of snips for cutting these ribbed panels? I have an air shear, but it does a lousy job on the ribs. I also have a Milwaukee sawsall, Skill saw with metal cutting disks, and a jig saw with metal cutting blades.

I'm sure some of the people on this forum have built their own steel buildings and any help will be appreciated.

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10-23-2003 23:17:44

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

The best skill saw blade for this is a diamond blade (makes the cleanest cuts and fast).

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Carsten

10-22-2003 11:01:01

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

Plasma cutter, superfast.

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Philip

10-22-2003 07:47:02

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

I used a 7-1/4" circular saw with composite fiber metal cutting blade. Philip.

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Clark Cotten

10-22-2003 07:04:11

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

On the building I had put up, the crew used shears for the straight cuts that did not cross ribs and a nibbler for the cuts that did cross ribs. It worked great.

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deano

10-22-2003 06:22:39

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

i've had good luck with reversing plywood blade. but be careful edge is jagged and will cut your hand like no tommorrow...also, sparks are hot, and is noisy wear ear protection, and the blade can jump out of your cut real easy. be careful if you do this...

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MapleStone

10-22-2003 07:08:10

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Re: Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to deano, 10-22-2003 06:22:39

We actaully use the plywood blade forward. It cuts a little better. We think it is the fastest way to cut steel.

But yes, definitely use eye, hand and ear protection.

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JMS/MN

10-22-2003 01:14:10

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

Designate an old blade- any type- for cutting steel. Mount it backwards in the saw. Noisy, but works well. Dad used the idea 40 years ago, still works fine now. I use an old saw for this- always has the old blade in it. Same blade has worked fine for many years.

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Bob

10-21-2003 21:19:40

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

Use a 7-1/4" circular saw with a worn-out plywood blade mounted backwards.

Wear eye protection, face protection, gloves, and especially hearing protection.

Clamp a 1 X 4 to the sheet steel to use as a guide.

The saw will shreik, throw sparks, and cut the sheet steel like a soft knife through butter!

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ShepFL

10-22-2003 05:23:57

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Re: Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Bob, 10-21-2003 21:19:40

Ditto but like a hot knife thru butter :)

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snitkawl

10-22-2003 04:00:24

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Re: Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Bob, 10-21-2003 21:19:40

Soft knife?

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10-22-2003 07:48:52

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Re: Re: Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to snitkawl, 10-22-2003 04:00:24

Soft knife makes it easier to spread the butter!

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Bob

10-22-2003 07:48:21

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Re: Re: Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to snitkawl, 10-22-2003 04:00:24

Yeah, soft knife! Safety you know! Boy was I tired when I typed that!!!

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bob

10-21-2003 21:19:07

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

absolute best way, gasoline power cutquik saw, round disk 12" mounted to chainsaw head. Rent from local rental store, they all have'em - Stihl ts-400, Partner, Husqvarna, etc. Perfect straight cut as you can walk. I use'em when tin is too long, snap chalk line & walk along roof (if slope is shallow enough). About 10 ft/ minute.

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JD_TRactor in NY

10-21-2003 20:50:48

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

Sawzall with metal cutting blade,Just finisned my 20x30 steel buildind and steel roof ,It was like cutting butter, only way to go, Just be sure to have nose of saw body against metal!!

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Curt

10-21-2003 20:19:10

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

I've heard of using a circular saw with a wood cutting blade put on backwards so the teeth point the wrong way. it will cut all the tin you need but the blade is trash when your done. i've never tried it though

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Jailkeeper

10-21-2003 20:03:50

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

Best way I've found is tin snips - it's not very fast but it's gives the best cut going across the ribs. If you're cutting parallel to the ribs, use a good straight edge and score the tin with a sharp razor knife, then bend the metal until it snaps off.

Another good way is a jig saw. It's more precise than a sawzall, and really handy for cutting holes for electrical boxes.

I've heard of jigs made by "old timers" that consisted of 2x4s that the tin laid in, had 2x4s that then went across the tin to clamp it down tight, and then you pulled up on a thin cable or wire that was fastened to the 2x4 underneath the tin. I always thought I'd build one but never did, seemed like it might be more trouble than it was worth.

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TimV

10-21-2003 20:02:20

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

Neal: If you're cutting these panels lengthwise (with the ribs) the easiest way is to score them with a utility knife and then bend them--they'll pop right apart. If you're cutting across the ribs, then I use a metal-cutting blade on a circular saw. Wear goggles and earmuffs--you'll need them! Some people turn a regular circular saw blade around backwards and use it. This works, but I prefer the abrasive blade.

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jake

10-21-2003 19:55:25

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

I use a power saw with a 7 1/4 metal cutting blade availible at any hardware. Clamp a 1x2 on the the panel for a guide. Fast but noisey.

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Bob

10-21-2003 19:51:01

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Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Neal, 10-21-2003 19:42:48

Was in Menards the other day and seen a tool that is driven by a drill and has heavy duty (appearing to me) shears. On sale at $44.00 if I remember correct. Good luck

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Neal

10-22-2003 05:30:50

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Re: Re: Best way to cut steel panels? in reply to Bob, 10-21-2003 19:51:01

Thanks for all of the quick replies. I have worked as a supervisor with sheet metal all of my life, (retired now) but it was always cut on a shear or an automated cut up line in a manufacturing environment. I have cut aluminum siding with the blade in backwards, but was not sure if it would work on sheet metal.

I recently had a 36 X 48 metal workshop put up, but did not see how they cut the angles for the sides. I did see them cut out for the windows by scoring with a utility knife and a large hand shears.

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