Burt's Business Blog

Working with metal can be a lot of fun, but you need the right tools. If you want to cut a piece of sheet metal, you have a huge range of different options. Take a look at these ideas.

Tin Snips

For straight cuts, tin snips can work perfectly well. This tool basically works like a pair of scissors. To make sure your cut is straight, you may want to etch a line on the sheet metal before you get started. Unfortunately, tin snips don't do well with curves.

Jigsaw

A jigsaw is a larger tool that can cut through everything from wood to metal. For metal, you just need the right blade. You place the metal between the blade and the base of the jigsaw, and you move the metal as you cut. The process is similar to how you move fabric through a sewing machine, and the blade of the jigsaw actually moves up and down like a sewing machine needle. Unfortunately, jigsaws can be expensive so you may only want to choose this option if you cut a lot of metal and are willing to make an investment.

Round Disc Cutters

If you need circles of metal, a round disc cutter can be perfect, and you can buy a huge range of different sizes. Basically, you place a frame on top of the metal. Then, you put a round peg into the frame. The peg is going to cut through the metal, and the frame holds it in place. Finally, you pound on the peg until it punches a hole in the metal. The result is a round metal disc. You may need to sand the edges to smooth them down. Sometimes, the edges get jagged with this metal cutting method. 

Metal Die Cutting Machines

Again, this metal cutting option is also an investment so it typically only makes sense in commercial environments or when you work with a lot of metal. The basic premise is that you choose the shape you want and you put that die in the machine. Then, you place the metal into the machine and turn it on. Finally, the machine uses the die to cut that shape out of the metal.

Alternatively, if you don't have the time or the tools, you may not want to cut your own metal. Instead, you may want to contact a metal fabrication company. They can help you get the exact type and shape of metal you need for your project.