Best Tools To Cut Sheet Metal

Power slicing is one advanced and effective way to cut items from sheet metal.

Best tools to cut sheet metal.

Aviation snip is a term applied to the higher end form of this sheet metal cutting tool which comes in 3 basic varieties allowing for straight left hand curved and right hand curved cuts. And the most frequently used tool in this regard is the best quality electric nibblers. A tool like a nibbler is fast and easy to maneuver around to cut circles corners and angles in sheet metal work with out jamming like electric shears or tin snips would. Jigsaws and metal cutting band saws are more work but can make most cuts in light to medium sheet metal.

A handheld cutting tool fitted with a metal cut off wheel will easily cut through sheet. Thick using a ferrous metal cutting blade. In our test it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter. Electric nibblers can be used both as an electronic tool and a stand alone air tool.

For most applications it is necessary to file and clean up the edges left by a snip. You can cut mild steel up to about 3 8 in. Knipex tools sheet metal nibblers. Standing at around 11 inches long these knipex hand nibblers take the hard work out of cutting sheet metal.

The method you choose to cut sheet metal depends on the thickness of the metal and the type of cut you plan to make. Hot metal chips will fly. To cut straight lines use an electric saw. The best tool to cut sheet metal is an electric nibbler tool it cuts corrugated iron sheet metal and even metal car panels easily.

Start by taping both sides of the sheet metal directly over the line you want to cut and clamp the metal to a work station so it doesn t move. They barely weigh a pound and allow for really tight radiuses to be cut. It may not be an obvious choice but fitted with the right blade a circular saw is a great metal cutting tool.