Cutting 18 Gauge Sheet Metal

18 gauge aluminum but the opposite is true for stainless.

Cutting 18 gauge sheet metal.

Aviation snips and tin snips are a common method of cutting thin sheet metal for hobbyists. Cut metal with your circular saw. Hot metal chips will fly everywhere. You can go up a couple thickness with aluminum 20 gauge steel vs.

If it say 18 gauge that really is the limit. Accurate and easy to operate this 120 volt powered metal shear features hardened blades for durability and long life. They are also handy to have around for cutting all sorts of other sheet materials plastic leather rubber etc so they re well worth the 10 or 12 for a decent pair. Steel thickness is referred to as gauge the smaller the number of gauge the thicker the steel.

You can cut mild steel up to about 3 8 in. Thick using a ferrous metal cutting blade. Steel comes in many different forms and thicknesses. These metal shears are deal for any shop garage or hobbyist requiring precision metal cutting.

Thicker steel like pipes tubes and plates may require the use of power saws and torches. In our test it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter. Also referred to as aviator snips these scissor like hand tools cut sheet metal materials up to 18 gauge in thickness accurately without leaving a ragged bent edge as the finished product. Start the curved cut by nibbling at the gash left by the screwdriver with the tip of offset compound snips until you can slip the lower blade under the metal.

They have short powerful jaws that can cut through 18 gauge sheet metal as well as the seams on sheet metal ducts. For a reference on gauge thickness see our gauge chart. Pay attention to the gauge rating for your tools. It may not be an obvious choice but fitted with the right blade a circular saw is a great metal cutting tool.

You can damage the tool using it with heavier gauge material. Additionally the type of metal you are cutting make a big difference. Then cut a gradual curve until you reach the curved line. For auto body work or any other metal cutting project this metal shear makes smooth and clean cuts in aluminum plastic or sheet metal as thick as 18 gauge.

You probably wont find snips which are capable of cutting above 18 gauge mild steel.