What's the best way to cut metal/tin siding

[arlee453]

I've solved or found answers to about all my 'out of ignorance' building questions except this one.

What's the BEST way to cut tin roofing or siding panels?

Cutting with tin snips is difficult to control, and leaves a rolled look to the edge.

I'm not brave enough to have tried a circular saw...

Hacksaw?? Too hard to control to get a straight edge...

Anyone? What am I missing??

 

[poopcoop]

Circular Saw with the blade turned backwards is about the easiest way if you are good with a circular saw. A dremel is also another easy way.

Ray

 

[suenrob]

I used a sawzall with a metal cutting blade to cut windows in my metal shed to turn it into "The Silkie Chalet". Working on the run today, should be able to put the kids in it by this weekend.

 

[dixygirl]

Where did you get it please?

 

[patandchickens]

Alas I don't know of any way other than heavy tin snips (slow, makes messy edges, need to be careful not to slice an artery while doing it) or a circular saw or reciprocating saw (circular saw is the 'proper' way; both are mindbendingly noisy, make lots of sparks, and the saw or tin can do unexpected things so use clamps and extra care).

Any major jobs, I spend the extra to order tin that's already the exact length I need. So I am a wuss, so sue me

Good luck,

Pat

 

[5peeps]

You could use a Angle grinder .

good luck

 

[arlee453]

OK, so I'm not totally nuts - I figured there was some really glaringly simply way to do it 'right' that I hadn't had the clarity to figure out yet.

So, a Sawzall is a reciprocating saw, right? I've got one of those already with metal blades.

That may be my best bet....

Thanks for the input!

 

[Shaun Hagan]

Throatless shears are the absolute best way IMHO. They are a bit expensive (about $100 from Harbor freight tools) but they make a clean, straight cut on almost any metal. They are a bench-mountes shear that operates with a long handle and two indpendant blades. I have mine mounted on a stump. I fins they can't be beat for any kind of sheet metal. (I got mine to do other metalwork and found they worked realyl well for siding/roofing)

 

[suenrob]

Quote:
If you were talking to me.......Home Depot

 

[Cuban Longtails]

My granddad uses bailing wire. I've seen him do it, it works! The ends aren't nice and pretty though, like you're wanting.