Easy Way To Cut 16 Gauge Sheet Metal

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.

Easy way to cut 16 gauge sheet metal. That might be a perfect tool to cut 16 gauge sheet metals. Steel thickness is referred to as gauge the smaller the number of gauge the thicker the steel. Depending on the cut shape you ll use left cut right cut or straight snips typically indicated by the handle color. It may not be an obvious choice but fitted with the right blade a circular saw is a great metal cutting tool.

Red for left green for. Thick using a ferrous metal cutting blade. In our test it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter. But you don t have to be a tinsmith to cut sheet metal successfully.

To cut straight lines use an electric saw. Hot metal chips will fly. Thin gauge steel like sheet metal can be cut with a large variety of tools. The method you choose to cut sheet metal depends on the thickness of the metal and the type of cut you plan to make.

And finally use a dremel tool for cleaning it up. If you ask for the nearest option right in your garage without any fancy tools we will go for a handheld grinding wheel. Cutting sheet metal with snips can be tricky and frustrating. 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.

These tools are good for cutting soft sheet metals such as tin aluminum and brass. 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. 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. Thicker steel like pipes tubes and plates may require the use of power saws and torches.

While cutting a 16 gauge metal sheet with that use the coarse cut method. Aviation snips and tin snips are a common method of cutting thin sheet metal for hobbyists. The lower the number the thicker the metal is. These problems are common for those of us who don t work with sheet metal every day.

Steel comes in many different forms and thicknesses. 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. The edges are sharp the cutoffs are stiff and get in the way the snips bind or you just can t seem to negotiate the curve.