Tool for cutting a circle in sheet metal

[signcrafter]

What are my options for cutting a 6" circle in the side of a heat duct? Saw the malco circle cutter at the box store today but not sure I want to spend over 60 bucks for what may be a one time use thing.

This one is a metal shop brand from menards for 30 bucks, http://www.menards.com/main/heating.../sheet-metal-hole-cutter/p-1356516-c-6797.htm. Looks just like the malco but not sure if it is or just a cheap knock off? Never heard of the brand metal shop before.

Are these things as nice to use as they claim to be? Worth the money? Will the menards one be decent or should I spend double for the malco one?

 

[383 240z]

I don't know, tin snips?? They have been cutting hole in duct work for 50 years. Keith

 

[lilredex]

If you have a sabre saw (hand held jig saw) make a tether and install a metal cutting blade. Noisy, but will do the job.

 

[Jdsmith]

Metal shop brand is cheap junk. I second the idea for tin snips - the right handed or left handed type (red or green handles) should be able to cut that size hole.


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[The Cobbler]

aviation snips r or l cut is all you need

 

[signcrafter]

Funny I didn't even think about using regular old tin snips. I saw the malco circle cutter when I picked up the collars to tie into the duct and that's all I was thinking about. I don't have a good left and right snips so maybe those would be a better investment then the malco circle cutter. Thanks for the help.

 

[1950mercury]

Use some red or grn tin snips

 

[Indexmill]

It depends on how thick the sheet metal is.

Snips of thin enough or a circle cutter in a drill press.

 

[zkling]

Get or make a single point circle cutter, similar to a treapanning tool.

 

[saltygills]

Drill a hole, then use a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade....easy as pie...or just use tin snips

 

[AA/FC]

Buy one of these to mark the exact size of hole you need.
http://malcoproducts.com/product/hvacr/metal-duct/awls-scribers-dividers/dividers

Then use a hammer and an old flat head screwdriver (or chisel) along with a hammer to start a hole in the sheet metal, in the middle of the circle. Once you've opened up a slot, use your red and green tin snips to cut the hole. This is how millions and millions and millions of holes have been cut in duct work by professional HVAC guys (Tinners) since the invention of forced air heating and cooling.

 

[HMCFab9]

aviation snips r or l cut is all you need

What he^^^ said. Knock a hole in the tin & cut it out.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

It's a lot easier to make a perfect hole with the drill-powered cutter. I'd try to borrow or rent one. If you aren't really experienced with a tin snip you will end up with a crappy job.

One thing that matters--is this in a duct that's already installed?

 

[nicksnothereman]

I would use a compass and snips (puncture with a good knife and twist open to get the snips in there) the honestly...because I don't have hole saws that big. Depends on the job/how good it needs to look/fit and any "code enforcement" requirements.

Hillbilly solution not for everyone.

 

[signcrafter]

It's a lot easier to make a perfect hole with the drill-powered cutter. I'd try to borrow or rent one. If you aren't really experienced with a tin snip you will end up with a crappy job.

One thing that matters--is this in a duct that's already installed?

The duct is already installed and the holes will be in the side of it.

 

[fuddinator]

If you need precision try a nibbler. Mark the hole and rough cut it with snips then finish it up with the nibbler.

Something such as this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T5FV4Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Maybe not that exact one but the idea is the same. Then you can have it and use it for almost any size hole.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

The duct is already installed and the holes will be in the side of it.

In that case do you have clearance overhead for a tin snip? Personally, I'd spring for the proper cutter (pictured in the OP, but not the cheap one), but YMMV.

 

[Sine Swept]

I have a $9 hole saw kit that has worked many a time for me. Pilot hole and big corded drill is all it will take.

This is only tin

 

[bczygan]

What are my options for cutting a 6" circle in the side of a heat duct? Saw the malco circle cutter at the box store today but not sure I want to spend over 60 bucks for what may be a one time use thing.

This one is a metal shop brand from menards for 30 bucks, http://www.menards.com/main/heating.../sheet-metal-hole-cutter/p-1356516-c-6797.htm. Looks just like the malco but not sure if it is or just a cheap knock off? Never heard of the brand metal shop before.

Are these things as nice to use as they claim to be? Worth the money? Will the menards one be decent or should I spend double for the malco one?

One use, but how many holes?

 

[signcrafter]

In that case do you have clearance overhead for a tin snip? Personally, I'd spring for the proper cutter (pictured in the OP, but not the cheap one), but YMMV.

The new holes will be on the side of the duct. The duct is tight to the ceiling at the top but clearance on the left and right and bottom. Should be enough room at top for snips or circle cutter.

I have a $9 hole saw kit that has worked many a time for me. Pilot hole and big corded drill is all it will take.

This is only tin

A 9 dollar 6" hole saw?

One use, but how many holes?

3 holes total. I'll go check out snips. Maybe spend 60 bucks in snips over the one time use tool. Or who knows maybe I'll just buy the tool and be done.

 

[1950mercury]

Check out gearwrench web sites hot deal section they had red and grn snips like 70% off. For under 7 bucks ea

 

[The Cobbler]

If you hired a tin whacker to do the job, he would come in with a sharpie marker, a hammer awl or screwdriver & snips. mark out the diameter, bash a hole in the duct & snip it out. job would be done long before you get your hole saw, compass,drill etc etc set up.
JUst sayin

 

[AA/FC]

Where do you live? If by chance you're close to me I just stop by and cut the holes for you. I could probably cut 3, 6" holes with a pair of hand snips in under 5 minutes.

 

[Angry welder]

coming from a heating and air guy. Tin snips are the only way to go. These so called hole cutters sometimes work. You have to keep checking them every time you cut a hole because they never hold their adjustments worth a ****. Save your money and buy a set of midwest off set snip. You can save a little more and get the craftsman snips they are made by midwest. I use to have a set I bought new at the store, the packaging had craftsman on them but the snips were stamped midwest.

 

[larry4406]

Get or make a single point circle cutter, similar to a treapanning tool.

Explain this please. Pictures even better.

I have this same need to cut a hole but do not have access from above to use handed snips (2x10 joist with duct 1" below joist and need hole on top of trunk). I too have been thinking of the Malco tool but $60+ at Home Depot for 1 or 2 holes has stopped me. The Malco tool and right handed drill I think I would have access.

Alternately, I can remove a section of duct, cut the hole, put the tap collar in, then reinstall the section.

 

[Fretters]

Explain this please. Pictures even better.

If you search for a "tank cutter" on Google/Yahoo etc, you'll see the type.

 

[metaldad]

this works most excellent. on duct either laying on the ground, or on it installed. 2 models, adjustable, i have both.
milling/drill bit. just stay away from the shards it makes, they're hot!

http://malcoproducts.com/product/hv...tters-shears/gold-standard-malco-hole-cutters

 

[PCO6]

If you need precision try a nibbler. Mark the hole and rough cut it with snips then finish it up with the nibbler.

Something such as this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T5FV4Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Maybe not that exact one but the idea is the same. Then you can have it and use it for almost any size hole.

I have one of these and it works great. It's also good for cutting holes with square corners.

this works most excellent. on duct either laying on the ground, or on it installed. 2 models, adjustable, i have both.
milling/drill bit. just stay away from the shards it makes, they're hot!

http://malcoproducts.com/product/hv...tters-shears/gold-standard-malco-hole-cutters

These work great too ... and they're fast.

 

[Merbesfield]

Can anyone make a recommendation on which brand of tin snips actually work? I work w 20g metal doing auto body repairs and the ones I have are Wiss brand and they **** almost as much as the cheap Chinese ones that I also have. What gives? I would pay more for a real quality pair of snips.

 

[djjsr]

I also think that a nibbler would be best. Very accurate and easy to control the cut.

 

[whyNick?]

I use a jigsaw. Wear goggles though, those little chips fly everywhere...

 

[espyking83]

It's a lot easier to make a perfect hole with the drill-powered cutter. I'd try to borrow or rent one. If you aren't really experienced with a tin snip you will end up with a crappy job.

One thing that matters--is this in a duct that's already installed?

This is truth. Sheet metal is too damned expensive to be wasting material trying to cut hole with snips, if you can use a hole cutter for it-do it.

 

[Tinner]

Can anyone make a recommendation on which brand of tin snips actually work? I work w 20g metal doing auto body repairs and the ones I have are Wiss brand and they **** almost as much as the cheap Chinese ones that I also have. What gives? I would pay more for a real quality pair of snips.

Get some Klenk snips. I've never found anything better. I use their offset snips, they'll eat 20ga all day long.

http://www.klenktools.com/Main/Products/AviationSnipsNew.asp#MA75200

 

[Angry welder]

Midwest are the best IMO

 

[signcrafter]

I ended up at Menard's today and had a rebate check to spend so I ended up getting 4 pairs of Midwest snips. Got the left and right aviation snips and the left and right offset snips. They came out to about the same price as the malco circle cutter. Plus I get 11% back on another rebate. Been buying a fair amount of tools from Menard's and getting the 11% rebate checks in the last couple months. Works out pretty good.

I think the 4 pairs of snips will get used more then the malco circle cutter would. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I just finished putting metal siding on the garage ceiling. I had to cut hole for the light fixture boxes. I laid out the hole, drilled a 1- 1 1/4" with a hole saw and a pair of snips to cut along the line.