Best way to clean cut galvanized panels

[TrixR4Kids]

I am following the lead of a post that was on here last week with Cletus66 using galvanized roofing panels for his bar. I found 12' sheets at Home Depot but I need to cut them to 36". I am going to use them for going up that high on one of my garage walls and build a cover around my hot water tank and an opening on my staircase.

Anyway, what is the best cleanest way to cut the panels? What should I buy to get the job done that is going to look good and isn't going to cost an arm and leg to buy? The guy at HD said he could cut them with tin snips, that isn't gonna do 'er like I want.

Here is a picture of what Cletus did:

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/cletus66/81MustangRacecar146.jpg

[russlaferrera]

I would cut them with a circular saw. The 7 1/4 fiber blades cost about $4-5 for metal. Wear eye protection!

And what Vicegrip said!!

[Franz©]

5" Sait cutoff wheel on a Bosch handgrinder works well. Of course you will want appropriate protection.

If you don't want to go that way and have no aversion to noise an air nibbler with the punch turned sideways also works well.

[Vicegrip]

I would cut them with a circular saw. The 7 1/4 fiber blades cost about $4-5 for metal. Wear eye protection!

...and ear protection! The sound of thin sheet metal getting cut by an abrasive wheel is killer to your hearing. The entire sheet becomes a speaker. My hearing is damaged for good from doing just this kind of stuff back when I was young and stupid (well, more stupid)

If you want very clean cuts you can make a clamp and guide by using the pre cut wood strips that are made to go behind it when nailing it. Make a jig that holds the metal right next to the cut so it does not deflect or bend. Use another jig to guide the saw. Dress with a belt sander.

[toxicz28]

The sound of thin sheet metal getting cut by an abrasive wheel is killer to your hearing.

WHAT???? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!
I know exactly what you mean. And the ringing afterrwards......

[gregoryd3]

how about a pair of tin snips. Worked for me. put the cut end towards the floor

[TrixR4Kids]

I have spent some time looking around at circular saws the past few days and I think I am going to get a Milwaukee 6390 on payday. The old Skil saw i used to have died some time ago so looks one like this would be a good one to get. Any recommendations on blades?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000222UX/ref=nosim/?tag=dealtime-tools-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B0000222UX&linkCode=asn

[frankiedakar]

,,,,, they also make an air tin snip gun....i think it would do a great job cutting it vertically,,,,but it might be tuff cutting it horizonally,,,,all body shops have this gun for cutting sheet metal for cars,,
maybe take in a sample of ur metal into a bodyshop,,and see how it works...before u buy a gun..

[PAToyota]

I have one of those air tin snips, but it tends to be about impossible to use on corrugated materials as you say - flat is fine, though.

Because I have it, I reach for the plasma - cut it outside and wear a respirator though...

[TrixR4Kids]

Thanks for all the reply's.

[Vicegrip]

I have one of those air tin snips, but it tends to be about impossible to use on corrugated materials as you say - flat is fine, though.

Because I have it, I reach for the plasma - cut it outside and wear a respirator though...

i was going to say use the plasma but I have been warned about the zink thing. ;)

[PAToyota]

With the plasma, less heat is imparted to the metal than if you were welding on it. Even with an abrasive cutoff blade, you're throwing a lot of metal dust around and should have some sort of mask on.

[Vicegrip]

Believe you me! I always use a respirator when welding AND grinding. Too many times i ended up feeling kinda sick after a day in the shop and once got slammed hard by zinc. I am getting old enough to care about this stuff.

[cletus66]

Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I used a metal cutting blade on my circular saw. it actually works better and cuts cleaner if you go backwards, but be careful.

[TrixR4Kids]

Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I used a metal cutting blade on my circular saw. it actually works better and cuts cleaner if you go backwards, but be careful.

I finished my blue wall painting last night (1 side & backwall) and now I am ready to buy the panels. The top is blue going with the sheets cut 36" tall on bottom. Yea I found them at HD for under $12 for 12 feet lengths. Just trying to figure out now how to get five 12' sheets in the back of a shortbed Mazda truck. Your bar changed my whole plan of the garage BTW. :thumbup:

I got your PM too, thanks. Even the wife was pretty excited about it.

[krusty the clown]

turn a plywood blade aroung backwards on your circular saw. don't laugh......a friend of mine builds metal buildings and thats how he does it!

[gotmud13613]

Rent a nibbler, great for cutting this kind of stuff. I got the one in the pic, works really well.

[mhoffm911]

Saw this while reading another thread about article from workbenchmagazine.com.

http://www.workbenchmagazine.com/main/wb299-top02.html

http://www.evolutiononlineshop.com/Evolution_Rage/Evolution_Rage/Evolution_Rage_Saws/Evolution_Rage_Saw.cfm

[Yotaforce]

Diamond carbide 7" made for sheet metal and corrogated. Doesn't wear out like an abrasive wheel. I have had one for about 10 years and have cut atleast 100 panels with it and it is still like new.