Easiest and cheapest way to cut expanded metal??
Polkie918
Posts: 245
I need an easy and cheap way to cut expanded metal(grill looking metal)....I was at the store today and I was thinking maybe a bandsaw with a metal cutting blade.......or maybe even a dremel tool with metal cutting discs.....
the expanded metal is not very thick and I can cut it with my tin snips but the cuts are not good and bends the metal,...
any other ideas??? thanks
the expanded metal is not very thick and I can cut it with my tin snips but the cuts are not good and bends the metal,...
any other ideas??? thanks
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Post edited by Polkie918 on
Comments
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Cutoff wheel.
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What exactly are you trying to cut?
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TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »Cutoff wheel.
+1! the only other alternatives are: sawzall- not pleasant!:eek:
Or $250 for cordless tin shears:rolleyes:I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE! -
+1! the only other alternatives are: sawzall- not pleasant!:eek:
Or $250 for cordless tin shears:rolleyes:
-1, Ixnay on sawzall. That's for cutting stock or rebar maybe. Use a good quality jigsaw with a metal cutting blade, or a composite type blade if it's soft metal.
Zip right through,
and accurate too. -
It may not be the cheapest, but it's sure to be the easiest:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200324875_200324875
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lol for sure cannot use the plasma.....I already have a jigsaw...I guess I could use that and get some metal cutting blades......,.u dont think the band saw would work?
I need to cut into different shapes with rounded corners and such like for automobile grills.Fronts- RTi8
Center- CSi5
Rears- FXiA4
Sub- Velodyne 12"
Onkyo TX-SR806
Ps3
Xbox 360
65" DLP 1080P Toshiba TV -
For straight lines, a circular saw with cutting wheel 'blade' works very quick. . . you can cut a 4'' cast plumbing stack in less than a minute. I don't know how that would fare on your grill stuff, but for 5$ it's easy enough to find out. Don't forget goggles.
Flojet would run you a few shekels. .-Ignorance is strength - -
lol for sure cannot use the plasma.....I already have a jigsaw...I guess I could use that and get some metal cutting blades......,.u dont think the band saw would work?
I need to cut into different shapes with rounded corners and such like for automobile grills.
What guage (thickness) is the sheet?
I'd go with the 4" grinder and 1/16" cutoff wheels. You can do your straight-line cuts with that, and use some tin snips to round where you need to. You can use a dead-blow hammer to flatten out the bends from the snips.
Soap stone works great for marking your lines, and I'd tack the whole sheet onto a piece of plywood to keep it in place and keep from cutting into the floor. Wear some leather gloves, goggles, don't remove the guards or handle, and use both hands. Take inventory of your digits before and after the job.:D Seriously, those 4" grinders have some torque behind them. -
LessisNevermore wrote: »I'd go with the 4" grinder and 1/16" cutoff wheels.
I use this all the time, very easy to handle and you can make an accurate cut if you take your time.....and don't forget the googles.
Jimmy -
My recommendations depend on what types of cuts, intricies, sizes of peices and guage of materials.
For long straight cuts, (with a guide) larger radi and larger pieces, the die grinder with cutoff wheels is a good choice.
Also for smaller pieces and tighter radius, the electric nipper are great, up to 14ga materials. Produce a nice 'finished edge'.They can be had for alot less than quoted above. Here's one that is $49. Not cordless but you probably don't need cordless anyway. Electric shears are alot faster than die grinder.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92115
I have also used a bandsaw with fine tooth metal blade. Downside is you need to file edges, if that is important, ie the edges are exposed. Does allow you to work with smaller pieces. Limited in the width of the pieces because of the 'throat' of the saw, usually around 8"-9" on the small benchtop models. Larger on the larger floor standing models.
Another tool that has not been mentioned is a Beverly shear/ "throatless shear". Must have a workbench top to mount to. Allows for very intricate work, up to 16ga stainless steel. Probably thicker mild steel or aluminum. $99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38413
and
If you are doing alot of it, I would get both the Beverly and the electric. Electric nippers for 'fast' cuts. Beverly to accurate trimming. Die grinder for thicker stuff 'free form'.
Just noticed you wanted "cheapest" My suggestions are probably not the 'cheapest
just the 'best'.
Let's see some pics of your work...:D -
'Such a useful thread Ive been looking this topic everywhere!'
expanded metal
architectural metal
metal cladding -
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Such a useful thread Ive been looking this topic everywhere!
metal cladding
architectural metal
expanded metal -
Reported.
Just use the tin snips and cut it a bit larger, use a grinding wheel
to clean up, or a belt sander. No use over thinking it. I did this for a
small project a couple of months ago."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
I use a four inch grinder and cutting wheels.
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Seeing that the original post is over a year old, I assume the expanded metal has been cut by now.
carry on... -
I'm just posting to add to my post count....
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I'm just waiting for someone to post some good **** links."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »Cutoff wheel.
ditto, or metal nibbler. -
TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »I'm just posting to add to my post count....
I call dibs on whatever you're selling
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SolidSqual wrote: »It may not be the cheapest, but it's sure to be the easiest:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200324875_200324875
I agree, use the plasma cutter! -
That DeWalt sheet metal shear is very nice.
Another alternative to a shear (and we use around here) is a "Nibbler".
That nibbler pictured goes up to 16 gauge. The one we use will slide though 10 gauge metal like a hot knife through butter but will still make nice, clean cuts in thinner (22 gauge ?) sheet metal without bending/warping edges.
We still have the original "blade" on the nibbler. We had to replace several jaws on Milwaukee shears (trying to cut through to heavy of metal) before we got the nibbler.
With some experience, you can make some pretty decent circular cuts. It does waste about 3/8" of metal that it nibbles out, though.Sal Palooza -
Almost 3 years old...