Cutting metal roofing, soffit, siding

[theoldwizard1]

Nibbler or power shears ?

 

[KnurledNut]

Rough: Malco Turboshears
Precision: aviaton snips

 

[Dagny]

I have the milwaukee shear works great but new blades are high priced.

 

[cvairwerks]

If you have a lot to do, rent a panel cutter.

 

[rustyjames]

Across the ribs: metal cutting circular saw. Panel length: shears

 

[Sumboodie]

Circ saw with blade backward

 

[lardy1]

As a commercial carpenter I spent countless days putting sheet stock on the interior of car dealerships, car washes, factories, etc. These were indispensable. I could crosscut ribbed steel sheeting fast enough to feed two carpenters. It takes a technique to roll it as your cutting but it's quite speedy, way cleaner cut than any saw and cheap.


Evaporust on order.

 

[rustyjames]

A lot of unknown variables with the original question such as type of material, gauge and profiles.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you have a lot to do, rent a panel cutter.

Guillotine ? Won't it mangle the ribs ?

 

[signcrafter]

Guillotine ? Won't it mangle the ribs ?

You still havent answered what exactly you are cutting. There are a bunch of different metal roof products from standing seam to ribbed to whatever. Also what metal siding siding are you talking about specifically?

Metal soffits I cut with a jig I made for a circular saw to rid on. Or a radial arm saw.

They make guillotines for most ribbed siding profiles. Google ribbed roofing guillotine and you will see examples. Expensive but if you are doing a big pole barn it's worth it. If only doing a few pieces then lots of tools work depending on the cut. I have a m18 metal cutting circular saw that works good for some cuts. Also have double cut shears that work good. Also have a malco single cut shear that goes on my drill for making radius cuts. A nibbler works good but makes a huge mess so I try not to pull mine out if not needed.

Too many variables to even start to answer your question.

 

[plout99]

I used the Dewalt version of the turbo shears and bought a new set of offset aviation snips when I built my 32 x48 shop it allowed me to do everything I needed to do. Thought about the circular saw metal company said it would void the metal warranty due to sparks damaging the coating.

 

[KnurledNut]

If you’re installing new metal, order the correct length.
You couldnt pay me enough to use a circular saw for this application.

These two know what they are talking about:

As a commercial carpenter I spent countless days putting sheet stock on the interior of car dealerships, car washes, factories, etc. These were indispensable. I could crosscut ribbed steel sheeting fast enough to feed two carpenters. It takes a technique to roll it as your cutting but it's quite speedy, way cleaner cut than any saw and cheap.


Evaporust on order.

Lardy, i know the exact method you speak of. Heck, if you start a cut, you can literally tear the panel in half, across ribs and all. Lots of experience in experience. Score and snap. Yep.
Mid panel cut of installed sheet? Lefts and rights in tandem. So many pro tricks from tinners and skinners.

I used the Dewalt version of the turbo shears and bought a new set of offset aviation snips when I built my 32 x48 shop it allowed me to do everything I needed to do. Thought about the circular saw metal company said it would void the metal warranty due to sparks damaging the coating.

Agree 100%.