What to use for cutting sheetmetal

[Coronet 14]

Where is the best place to get metal shears. I'm trying to cut up sheetmetal Looking for a good set of hand shears to cut up to 18 gauge. The ones from Lowes and Home Depot are crap. They distort the metal. I got the Nibbler from Eastwood today and broke the blade off already. I want something with long jaws that can reach deep to cut the metal without distortion. Also needs a large handle for good leverage. Thanks

 

[Beekeeper]

Best place would be an hvac supply house. Get the ones that are around 12" handles. Wiss makes a good pair the jaws are around 3" or so

 

[Coronet 14]

Thanks

 

[khryslerkid]

How about a 4.5" grinder with a "slicer" abrasive disk? Works a lot faster than shears and really doesn't distort the sheeting. Plasma cutters work great too...

 

[dvw]

The Harbor Freight electric shears work pretty well. I used them a ton when doing my 64. Heres a cut
Cheap too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/14-gauge-4-amp-heavy-duty-metal-shears-68199.html
Doug

 

[Propwash]

How about a 4.5" grinder with a "slicer" abrasive disk? Works a lot faster than shears and really doesn't distort the sheeting. Plasma cutters work great too...

I agree 110%........Plasma Cutter! By far the way to go. Unfortunately you'll need an air compressor and nice dry air coming from that compressor. Plus, they're pricey. Otherwise, cutting disc on a grinder or die grinder like mentioned, will do the trick. Air saw's work decent, unless the metal is loose and flopping around.

 

[texas69bee]

I've used a jigsaw with a fine tooth blade if the metal isn't flopping around. Good for different shapes.

 

[Coronet 14]

I'm gonna go to Harbor Frieght later this week. I would love a Plasma cutter but I would have to donate a Kidney at this time. Thanks guys

 

[snakeoil24]

Buy a Used shear and be done with it. A handle sheer can be had used for 100.00

 

[flypaper]

get a electric cut off tool with a pack of 4 inch wheels for under 40 bucks at harbor
it goes a little slower then a air one, but no compressor is needed..

 

[mopar 3 B]

Harbor Freight has a circular saw 7 1/4" metal cutting blade, I have cut 1/2" bolts off with one and work well on thin sheet metal as well.

 

[Bb70charger500]

You can also get a cutting tool for an air chisel it does prity good (cheap at harbour frate), I used a grinder with cut off disc (elc) I used to use air but I got sick of useing all the air and then haveing to take a brake .

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Be careful with those cut off wheels in a 4 1/2" grinder. I had a wheel come apart and part of it stuck into my garage door 15 ft away! Glad it wasn't stuck in me!!!..............................MO

 

[747mopar]

I like 6" cut off wheels on a 4 1/2" grinder myself.

 

[Hemirunner]

I like 6" cut off wheels on a 4 1/2" grinder myself.

Same here. I use 4-1/2" and 6" cut offs (the .045 thick versions). They're the most versatile and affordable tool for doing sheet metal. Plasma cutter is convenient but expensive and leaves a cut edge that requires dressing prior to welding. Shears distort the metal no matter how nice they are.

 

[747mopar]

Same here. I use 4-1/2" and 6" cut offs (the .045 thick versions). They're the most versatile and affordable tool for doing sheet metal. Plasma cutter is convenient but expensive and leaves a cut edge that requires dressing prior to welding. Shears distort the metal no matter how nice they are.

Agreed

 

[jenkins71]

I love using my dewalt jigsaw with a fine-tooth metal cutting blade. Cuts perfectly, with zero distortion, and goes through metal like butter!!!

 

[beezee]

Milwaukee has a cordless cold cut saw that cuts metal clean,with no heat build up.Watched a sales rep at a hvac supplier cut a piece of unistrut channel in seconds with no burrs and you could touch the metal right after the cut.I was impressed!
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2682-20

 

[Hemirunner]

Milwaukee has a cordless cold cut saw that cuts metal clean,with no heat build up.Watched a sales rep at a hvac supplier cut a piece of unistrut channel in seconds with no burrs and you could touch the metal right after the cut.I was impressed!
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2682-20

Those work great on structural shapes but they don't work very well on sheet metal.

 

[Coronet 14]

Bought some Avanti pro cutoff discs. Will try them tomorrow.