Metal Roofing

[BBQguy]

I have some upcoming projects that require metal roofing materials to be cut.

Currently i dont own anything beyond aviation tin snips. These projects require more than hand cutting.
I have Dewalt 20v battey tools.

I am not opposed to air vs electric vs battery. I want ease of use, less mess, and clean cuts. Not willing to spend money on Fein tools but dont want Harbor Freight either as this tool will be used for a while.

Suggestions?
Experience related woes and wins.
Help me spend some money, withing reason.

 

[sick467]

They have drill operated tin shears that are good for cutting tin roofing. I found that they are nice to cut the sheets lengthwise, but but cutting across the ridges leaves a bit to be desired...it tends to wrinkle some at the cut going up an dover the ridges, not horrible, but it will leave some buggars. I ended up using a carbide tipped rip saw that was mounted in the saw backwards compared to cutting wood. This works very well given that you take the time to clamp the sheet down...you will want both hands on the saw for the most part. It is loud and throws a fair amount of metal chips, so wear the proper PPE. I have used one blade (in used wood cutting condition) for cutting a hundred roof tin cross cuts or more...it still cuts, but it's time to throw it away. I use a grinder with a 1/16th inch cut off wheel for any small detail work like outlet holes and such. There is a metal cutting circular saw blade available, but I have not bought one. I have been told that they are nice to use too.

EDIT: The key to a good sheet metal job is getting the panels made to the correct sizes to begin with...huge difference if you know exactly what you need.

 

[joe_padavano]

I got a metal cutting blade for my circular saw. It worked great for long straight cuts. Wear ear protection.

 

[BBQguy]

I have cut a few sheets with a circular saw blade. I was not a fan, at all.

Making the sheets to correct size is not an option. One of these projects is a chicken coop and the materials have been salvaged off an old farm building. With the crazy increase in building supplies this project alone requires me to use my "found" pile to build from.

I will be making some length wise and cross cuts going though the hills and valleys. One tool would be super nice but if it requires 2 reasonably priced tools, that is an option.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Turn a circular saw blade backwards. It will fling small chips so wear your glasses and probably long sleeves to.

 

[rustyjames]

For cross cuts I'd use a metal cutting circular saw, stack the panels if profile allows. Kett type shears for cuts on the panel length.

 

[BBQguy]

https://tinyurl.com/by6tdzk5

I am looking at buying this.

Anybody use this or something similar?

Seems like there is a plethora of options and methods.

 

[sick467]

https://tinyurl.com/by6tdzk5

I am looking at buying this.

Anybody use this or something similar?

Seems like there is a plethora of options and methods.

That's very similar to the drill operated shears that I mentioned, just not a Dewalt brand. Nor did the one I borrowed have the stabilizer arm. That looks easier to use than the one I had, not that it was hard to use without it.

 

[toolchaser]

The stiffening ribs make scissor type cutters frustrating to use. A power nibbler may be an option. My local hardware store has a foot shear with the 5 rib profile they loan out if you purchase metal from them. I don`t know how common that setup is.

 

[plout99]

https://tinyurl.com/by6tdzk5

I am looking at buying this.

Anybody use this or something similar?

Seems like there is a plethora of options and methods.

I used that exact one last year when I built my 32 x48 it does fine over the ribs if they will be covered up. It can leave behind some nasty edges on the ribs.They are great for cutting length wise in metal a little slower then a saw with the blade flipped but a circular saw blade will void the warranty on new metal because of flying hot prices of kerf. Thankfully you don’t have to deal with that so I would opt for a metal blade for your circular saw or flipping one backwards. I was taught to flip a plywood blade long before they made metal specific blades for circular saws.