Cut Sheet Metal Without Curling

These photo steps show that it can be done using a utility knife.

Cut sheet metal without curling.

They look like scissors and work fine with sheet metals like brass aluminum tin steel etc. Tin snips or aviation snips are one of the most widely used tools to cut sheet metals. Such as straight cut snips left cut the right cut etc. The illustrations are for a small bracket but i have cut 3 foot long pieces using this method.

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. The fastest way to cut sheet metal in complex shapes or straight lines without a shear is a plasma torch. There are some cuts that you can do with decent tin snips. To cut straight lines use an electric saw.

You will sacrifice about a quarter inch strip of metal with each cut but that s less waste than i got with hand tools. Another tool that will be an effective choice for cutting sheet metal is a hacksaw. You can cut the sheet metal without too much distortion and noise when you use a nibbler. Plus a plasma torch can be used for thick metal too so they are really handy.

The method you choose to cut sheet metal depends on the thickness of the metal and the type of cut you plan to make. It works best only if there is a small project since it will require more effort on your end which is why it may not be the best for beginners.