Do-it-yourself cutting of galvanized sheet

Today, profile flooring is a popular material in construction. Therefore, quite often questions arise about the possibility of cutting sheets yourself, what is the best way to cut corrugated sheets and about ways to prevent corrosion of their edges.

In this article, we will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of using tools for cutting profiled sheets known to craftsmen.

Corrugated sheets are steel sheets coated with zinc and a protective colored layer of polymer, which is easily bent and resistant to deformation, protecting the steel from destruction and maintaining color fastness.

In appearance, it resembles slate, and has alternating trapezoidal, rectangular bulges and depressions of different widths and depths. The metal for the production of corrugated sheets has a thickness of up to 1 mm, which is the peculiarity of cutting parts of the required size.

There are several options for cutting corrugated sheets: manually, using power tools, or using machine tools.

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How to cut sheet metal

DIY sheet metal cutting. How to evenly cut a sheet of metal using improvised materials. Cut out the circle and other shapes.

Sheet metal is a common building material used to make fences, gutters and canopies. You can often find ready-made galvanized steel products on sale, such as ridges or pipes for draining rainwater from the roof. But what if the product is of non-standard size and you need to cut sheet metal yourself?

Basic process and safety precautions when cutting sheet metal with an angle grinder

Compliance with safety regulations is the most important point, neglect of which can result in injuries of varying severity.

Here are a few rules that should be followed when cutting sheet metal with a grinder.

Disk size . It is a mistake to believe that its size can be selected without taking into account the size of the angle grinder. Do not install a large blade without a protective cover on a small tool, otherwise you may put your life in danger. The speed of a small grinder is much higher, so they need appropriate cutting elements. Having installed a large disk, you won’t even have time to draw a cutting line; the toothed circle will simply fly apart after turning it on.
Direction of rotation . Some workers are not satisfied with the direction of sparks that are observed during standard operation of the tool. So they unroll the casing, rearrange the handle, and start cutting. Arbitrariness in this matter can lead to the fact that when caught on a sharp edge, the cutting disk will fly apart into pieces. Remember - the rotation of the disk should be done “towards you”, and not vice versa.
Personal protective equipment . The presence of such devices is a prerequisite for working with an angle grinder. Safety glasses, gloves and a respirator will help avoid injury to vital organs.

1. Normal cutting of thin sheet metal.

Cutting metal of small thickness usually does not cause any particular difficulties. The key to a high-quality result in this case is attentiveness and accuracy. It is worth noting that when processing thin metal sheets, the cutting disc often “bites.” Before starting work, you need to make sure that there are no defects on the cutting surface of the circle. Their presence can lead to splitting of the toothed disc.

The cutting line should start from the far edge of the sheet (it turns out that the master is, as it were, pulling the grinder towards himself). The cutting disc should not be immersed too deeply into the material (maximum 5-6 mm). The correct direction of movement of the tool and a shallow immersion depth will help to avoid the disc getting caught. And vice versa - excessive immersion of the cutting element will lead to a decrease in the contact area, snags and subsequent splitting of the disc.

2. Cutting thick sheets of metal with a grinder.

If the thickness of the sheet metal is more than 8 mm, then you should move the tool away from you rather than towards you. However, if you simply cut along the drawn line, you will not get a perfectly straight edge. In addition, you can overexert your hand, because you will have to constantly control the movement of the grinder.

To facilitate the work process, installing a steel angle at the cut site, which is pressed against the sheet with clamps on both sides, will help. Now you can walk along the drawn line several times, touching the corner a little so that you get a small indentation (no more than 1-2 mm). After the recess is made, you can remove the corner and proceed directly to metal processing. This way the cutting disc will not leave the intended line, and the edge will be perfectly straight.

3. Another cutting option.

The first stages of the work completely coincide with the method described above: a line is drawn, a corner is laid and pressed. The peculiarity is that the recess in this case is made a little deeper - about 4-5 mm. After removing the corner, the remaining metal can simply be broken off, and the edge can be processed using an angle grinder with a grinding disc. It is worth noting that such processing does not guarantee a high-quality result, so the second method is used much more often.

The grinder allows you to quickly and efficiently process sheet metal, but successful use of this tool is possible only if you have sufficient skills and comply with all safety regulations.

Tools for cutting metal sheets

Initially, when choosing tools, you need to decide on the tasks. Not only the amount of work matters, but also the time frame, the accuracy of the cut and the possibility of damage to the protective coating. Electric scissors are often used at construction sites. However, you should not expect a very smooth edge. The advantage of such a device is the speed of work.

How to cut a sheet of metal straight? At home, the problem can be solved quite simply - by using metal scissors. But this method requires a lot of time and physical effort. Scissors will not work if you need to cut long strips. The most even cut can be obtained using slotted scissors. This tool is quite expensive and is usually used by professionals.

Equipment for cutting profiled and galvanized sheets:

How to cut a corrugated sheet to maximize the preservation of the protective properties of its coating?

Many builders prefer to use an electric saw with a disk for cutting corrugated sheets. This tool has a number of advantages:

The rotation speed of a circular saw is almost 2 times less than that of an angle grinder, so the metal of the corrugated sheet does not melt under the action of the teeth of the disk for cutting corrugated sheets, but is removed in the form of small sawdust.
Ability to quickly cut large quantities of sheets
You can buy a disc for cutting corrugated sheets at any construction supermarket, in the same departments where abrasive cutting wheels are sold.

However, you should be very careful when using a power tool with a rotating wheel, as pieces of metal produced during cutting can cause injury. Therefore, this tool requires certain skills to operate it and is not suitable for beginners.

If you need to cut a small number of sheets, then a classic tool for cutting corrugated sheets - a hand hacksaw - is perfect for you. It is extremely easy to use, allows you to make a cut of absolutely any shape and is safe even for a person with zero construction experience. Of course, it is also possible to get injured from using a hand saw, but such an outcome is extremely unlikely compared to other tools.

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But this method also has its drawbacks. The main one is the large amount of time it takes to complete the work. In addition, you will need a special table to cut corrugated sheets.

Another option is to use a hand or electric saw. With their help, the work will be completed faster, but with their help you can only cut corrugated sheets in a straight line.

Unlike the previous method, cutting corrugated sheets with a jigsaw allows you to make curved cuts of any shape. Such adjustment is often necessary when installing roofing coverings where ventilation and chimney pipes pass through the roof. However, before cutting a profiled sheet with a manual or electric jigsaw, you need to carefully mark the sheet so as not to make a mistake with the dimensions of the cutouts.

The disadvantage of this method is that cutting corrugated sheets with a jigsaw is only possible with a profile height of no more than 20 mm. When cutting higher profiles, the blade tears the metal and often breaks.

Finally, if it is necessary to adjust profiled sheets of small thickness, you can use scissors to cut corrugated sheets. These can be either ordinary hand scissors for cutting sheet metal, or special electric scissors for cutting corrugated sheets.

How to cut a sheet of metal with a grinder

One of the fastest ways to cut galvanized sheets is cutting with a grinder. Among the disadvantages of this processing are torn edges, which will have to be additionally cleaned and smoothed. A grinder is not suitable for cutting corrugated sheets, since sparks during cutting can damage the polymer coating. But for simple work that does not require high precision and accuracy, an angle grinder is quite suitable.

Please note that when using such a power tool, purchase a special disc that will not damage the protective coating on the galvanized sheet. After cutting the corrugated board, the edges must be cleaned and coated with special paint. This equipment can be used if you are building a shed from corrugated sheets or making a canopy. In this case, you do not have to purchase a special and expensive tool.

choose discs with carbide teeth;
operate at low speeds;
Treat the cut areas with a special anti-corrosion coating.

Hand-held power tool for cutting corrugated sheets

The most popular, practical and quick to use are power tools. A grinder, jigsaw, electric scissors and a hand-held circular saw can be used for cutting Chishmin corrugated sheets.

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Here you will learn how to choose the right drill for construction work.
The link - https://vse-postroim-sami.ru/equipment/power-tools/2176_kak-vybrat-shurupovert/ - provides detailed information on choosing a screwdriver. This article discusses the types and main characteristics of screwdrivers.

Is it possible to cut corrugated sheets with a grinder?

A manual angle grinder, popularly called an angle grinder, is a widely used tool for cutting various metals, and corrugated sheets are no exception.

Many manufacturers of corrugated sheets do not recommend using a grinder, since the high temperature effect on the polymer layer has a negative effect. Despite this, some craftsmen and sellers of profiled sheets use it as the lightest and most practical cutting tool.

So is it possible to cut corrugated sheets with a grinder? And how to cut corrugated sheets with a grinder with minimal damage to the coating?

Attention! The main rule that must be followed when cutting corrugated sheets correctly is that the diameter of the cutting wheel matches the height of the relief of the sheet being cut.

When cutting corrugated sheets with deep relief with a small grinder, it will be difficult to immediately cut the sheet in the lower corners. It will have to be turned over to the other side. It is better to opt for an angle grinder with the largest wheel diameter and disc thickness from one millimeter to 1.6 mm, with teeth made of carbide materials.

It is important that the corrugated sheet does not touch the ground or the surface of the table where the cut is being made. Dust may arise or the desktop may easily become damaged. Using a grinder to cut sheets in the experienced hands of a craftsman allows you to cut out parts of the required geometric shape.

Using an abrasive wheel during work damages the protective coating of the corrugated sheet. The fact is that at the edges of the cut, the abrasive wheel greatly heats the metal. This leads to burnout of the zinc, polymer coating and other layers. In addition, sparks falling on the profile sheet can burn through the protective coating. This reduces the service life of corrugated sheets.

Alternatively, the abrasive disc can be replaced with an aluminum cutting disc. It’s better to use a special disc for cutting corrugated sheets. The edges of such a cut will be straight and neat.

Jigsaw

If the corrugated sheet matches the tool correctly, a jigsaw is a completely suitable option. It is better to use a professional-grade jigsaw, since a household-grade tool is low-power and sheets thicker than 75 mm are almost impossible to cut. The optimal sheet wave depth for a household jigsaw is about 20 mm. It does not burn the protective layer, but it tears the metal.

A professional-class jigsaw capable of cutting C8 profiled sheets, the properties of which are to the taste of buyers.

There are some disadvantages of this tool for cutting corrugated sheets. The sheet to be cut must be installed vertically; therefore, it is necessary to support the already cut strips, for which several assistants will be needed. Saws often break during operation.

Attention! The opinion of experienced craftsmen is that a jigsaw is not the most suitable option for cutting corrugated sheets.

Electric shears - scissors for cutting corrugated sheets

If there is no need for smooth edges, then electric shears are the best tool for cutting corrugated sheets. They cut metal quickly, in one millimeter layer. In addition, you don’t need to put in a lot of effort; the metal is cut automatically.

Slotted electric shears are most suitable for cutting corrugated sheets. It is considered a universal tool, capable of making neat cuts, without bending or deformation during shaped cutting.

Nibblers cut the material along two parallel straight lines, without the need to bend the profiled sheet. These shears for cutting corrugated sheets cope well with sharp turns. For greater convenience, the handle rotates perpendicular to the cutting line. In addition, you can drill a hole in the middle of the profiled sheet and use nibblers to cut in the desired direction.

Upon completion of the work, the edges of the cuts are smooth, without burrs and do not bend.

Hand circular saw

A hand-held circular saw is used to cut corrugated sheets using a disk with carbide teeth. Using a circular saw, cuts are made along a curve with the required radius of curvature.

The downside of this tool is that the protective layer burns out due to powerful revolutions. There may also be jagged edges.

How to properly cut corrugated sheets using a circular saw?

For smoother cut edges you will need a plywood jig. A groove is cut out in the center of the plywood, a kind of landmark.

Cut marks are made on both sides of the corrugated sheet, then the plywood jig is laid down and pressed tightly and cutting is carried out. The metal does not melt, but falls into small sawdust, which is very convenient. A circular saw is more practical for cutting large sizes of corrugated sheets.

So, what is the best way to cut corrugated sheets?

Attention! Having summed up the pros and cons of each power tool for cutting corrugated sheets, we come to the conclusion that the best and most practical are an angle grinder using a special disk for cutting corrugated sheets, a manual circular saw, and slotted electric shears. A jigsaw is more suitable for cutting short sheets.

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Jigsaw

If you need to cut a circle in a sheet of metal, you should use a jigsaw. It works quite quickly, so you will get a neat hole in a matter of minutes. Among the disadvantages of the equipment are noise and the possibility of a burnt edge when processing profiled sheets.

it is necessary to use saws with fine teeth;
you need to choose a reciprocating mode;
it is necessary to control the inclination of the cutting part;
rapid failure of consumables.

What is the best way to cut corrugated sheets? Power tools:

It is definitely difficult to answer this question. Depending on the specific task: the thickness of the material, the shape of the cut line and installation features, different types of tools are used. Much depends on personal preferences.

Bulgarian

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures causes the greatest harm to the galvanized surface of corrugated sheets. The polymer or paint coating can also peel off from the material during heating above 200-250°C. The use of gas-cutting equipment, as well as grinders with conventional discs, for processing corrugated sheets is extremely undesirable. Indeed, in the process of peeling and even burning of the coating, edge corrosion quickly appears - lateral cracks at the ends of the sheets.

Abrasive discs are capable of heating metal up to 600°C. For acrylic, polyurethane or PVC coatings, sparks flying at a sufficiently large distance from under the disk are also dangerous. Plus, after cutting with ordinary discs, burrs remain on the metal that will need to be removed. And the tool makes a lot of noise when cutting.

Cutting with a grinder is allowed only with the use of cutting discs with finer teeth. The edges after processing are quite smooth, with minimal damage to the coating. However, even in this case, in order to avoid the appearance of pockets of corrosion, you should be extremely careful and avoid overheating and sparking. By the way, there is much less noise when cutting with cutting discs.

Disc for cutting corrugated sheets with a grinder

To work with profiled sheets, you need to purchase a special disk of small thickness (no more than 1.0-1.6 mm) made of carbide metal. It is intended specifically for cutting profiled sheets. The edge after processing is more accurate. Some specialists with diamond-coated discs can easily process a pack of corrugated sheets with a thickness of 10 sheets at once.

Jigsaw

If you don’t have other tools at hand, you can use a jigsaw to cut a small amount of material with a profile height of up to 20-25 mm. With a high wave it will tear the canvas. And the tool itself can quickly fail.

Before starting work, the sheet is fixed on the table (ordinary sawhorses are also suitable) so that the edge is suspended 10 centimeters from the surface. It is more convenient to use a jigsaw with a laser pointer - the line will be smoother. It is pressed tightly against the sheet and cut along a pre-designated line. To avoid injuries, you only need to hold the corrugated sheet, and not completely lean on it.

It is more difficult to cut a large amount of corrugated sheeting with a jigsaw, so professional roofers use it mainly to obtain shaped cuts. Such an adjustment may be necessary when laying the roof in areas adjacent to smoke or ventilation pipes. It will take much more time to obtain long longitudinal lines using it than when working with an angle grinder.

Important! Just as in the case of an angle grinder, the jigsaw should not be set at high speeds. Otherwise, the corrugated sheeting will simply burn out.

Electric shears for metal

Working with them when processing thin 1-mm metal is quite convenient - they are not inferior in speed to an angle grinder. With some skill, in a short time, electric scissors can cut a sufficient amount of material both in a straight line and along curved lines.

However, tin snips often curl the edges. Therefore, after processing, you may need to straighten the sheets using a mallet. If it is not at hand, the edge is trimmed with a regular hammer, after placing a wooden spacer.

The ideal option for cutting is nibblers. Essentially, this is a miniature punch press. Since the cut line goes in two directions at once, the corrugated sheet is not deformed. You can even start work from the middle of the sheet. To avoid burrs, before starting work, adjust the scissors so that the tool is turned at 90° to the line being cut. However, the tool is not cheap, and it is used mainly by professionals.

Electric circular saw

The speed of a hand saw is 2 times less than that of an angle grinder, so the metal almost does not melt during processing. With this power tool you can cut quite a large amount of material in a short time.

An electric saw, just like a grinder, must be equipped with a disk for cutting corrugated sheets - they are sold in all hardware stores. A special cutting table will also be needed. When working, you should act carefully - the saw produces a large amount of chips, which can fly off at any moment. If you have no experience working with it, it is better not to undertake cutting corrugated sheets.

Advice! To adjust the profile, you can use a drill attachment. It is quite capable of cutting small sizes of corrugated sheets in hard-to-reach areas.

A circular saw

Sometimes a circular saw is used to cut metal. If you work with corrugated sheets, then the equipment must be turned on at low speeds. Otherwise, the polymer coating may be damaged. To work, you will need a partner to hold the sheet. Among the advantages of this tool is that the work is performed without heating, so you will not damage the protective coating on the profiled sheet. It is best to use an aluminum circle.

To set up fast work with a circular saw, you need to prepare a plywood pattern. The groove is not completely cut out in this sheet. This will be a kind of blank that allows you to preserve the galvanized or polymer coating on the sheet. An excellent tool for cutting metal is a double-blade saw. It, unlike the grinder, does not leave a torn edge and works much quieter. Unfortunately, not every master has such a tool.

How to cut corrugated sheets with a jigsaw?

If you just can’t decide how to cut corrugated sheets, then we advise you to choose a jigsaw unless, of course, you have already purchased other tools. As a rule, this is the best choice for those who decide to independently install roofing in their country house or build a fence from corrugated sheet metal. It is desirable that it has a laser guide.

Read also: Circles for sharpening saw blades

This tool is the most versatile tool that can be used to cut corrugated sheets without spending serious effort and having special skills. In addition, it can be used for carpentry work and for cutting down a few dry branches in the garden.

In addition, the jigsaw is very easy to maintain and use. The speed of work is high, the likelihood of injury is minimal, if the file breaks, it can be easily replaced, and even a beginner can handle cutting. All these qualities make the jigsaw an almost ideal tool for this task.

Now let's focus directly on the technology of its use:

Before cutting corrugated board with a jigsaw, draw a cut line. You can use a regular marker for this.
Secure the sheet so that it is at least 10 centimeters from the surface and does not move when cutting. You can use regular sawhorses for this.
Now you can start cutting directly. Don't rely on your eye - use a laser pointer to ensure that the cut line is straight and exactly matches your tasks.
Try to press the jigsaw tightly against the sheet where possible. This will reduce the risk of the blade breaking.
Despite the fact that this tool for cutting corrugated sheets is quite safe and has many mechanisms that protect a person from injury, be extremely careful. Hold the sheet by the edge rather than resting your hand on it. And especially do not keep your hand on the cutting line, even if the tool is still at a decent distance.

If you follow all these rules, you can easily cope with cutting corrugated sheets yourself. Moreover, you will do this quickly and without serious harm to the coating of the sheet.

What and how to make a hole in a sheet of metal?

It all depends on the size of the hole. If the diameter is small, a drill will do. If large holes are needed, special drill bits are used. Pay attention to the material from which the horse-drawn horse is made. To process profiled sheets, you should use nozzles with a carbide coating. Processing should be carried out without increasing the temperature.

A jigsaw is used to make a large diameter hole. With this tool, cutting out a circle of large diameter will not be difficult. When working, use a saw with fine teeth

Edge protection against corrosion

Even the use of special tools for cutting corrugated sheets does not guarantee complete protection against damage to the corrugated sheet coating. Only in profiled sheets of galvanized steel of the 1st class of zinc coating thickness, the presence of molecules at the cut site creates a barrier that prevents oxidation of the metal.

Therefore, in order to avoid shortening the service life of the corrugated sheet, it is necessary to apply a special anti-corrosion mastic to the edges of the cut. In addition, you can also paint these places with paint in the color of the protective coating of the profiled sheet. Fulfilling these simple requirements will reliably protect the edges of corrugated sheets in the fitting areas, ensuring the reliability of the profiled sheet throughout its entire service life.

How to join corrugated sheets?

What are the rules for joining profiled sheets? Is it necessary to seal the joints of corrugated sheets? How much overlap is needed for a small roof slope? The answers to these questions are in the article.

Screws for fastening corrugated sheets

Do you want to know how many screws are needed for a sheet of corrugated sheeting? How do screws for corrugated sheets differ from other types of self-tapping screws? How to choose them? Read the article!

DIY roller knife for sheet metal

A do-it-yourself roller knife for sheet metal is a homemade tool, the demand for which is growing every day, which is explained by the productive speed of operation of such a device and its simple design. The mechanical basis is extremely simple, and is based on two metal knives rotating in opposite directions, pressing into the steel plane of the workpiece, which leads to its cutting.

The classic design involves the installation of rotating disks at the top and bottom, classified according to the material of manufacture:

Parallel roller knives are used for cutting steel sheets into strips, while maintaining good quality of the workpiece.
Roller knives with one inclined edge - this design, in addition to slicing, allows you to cut workpieces with rounded shapes.
Roller knives with multiple inclined edges - maintaining a small radius, helps to produce parts with curved lines and rounded shapes.

How to cut thick sheet metal smoothly

To cut thick sheet metal, it is advisable to use a grinder with a power of more than 1 kW. In this case, you need to cut the product using an angle grinder in the direction forward from its edge. First, you need to draw a line on the sheet along which the cut will be made. Then along the drawn line you need to place a steel corner or a flat wooden beam. Using clamps, the corner (beam) is firmly attached to the surface of the sheet.

Then, along the corner, strictly along the drawn line, you need to walk the angle grinder and make a small groove, the depth of which is about 1-2 mm. After completing this procedure, the angle can be dismantled and normal metal cutting can begin.

A groove made on its surface, along a marked line, will not allow the saw blade to move away from a predetermined trajectory, resulting in perfectly smooth edges at the cutting sites.

Important! When working with angle grinders, you must follow safety regulations and use personal protective equipment.

Also during work, it is necessary to take into account the direction of rotation of the grinder circle, as well as its size. You cannot install large discs (from 150 mm or more) on small angle grinders (125 mm) after first dismantling the protective casing.

Design

Roller metal shears, assembled at home with your own hands, have a common essence that remains unchanged - the presence of a cutting knife. It is made from steel alloys with a maximum strength threshold and other characteristics that should be higher compared to similar parameters for steel that will be processed on a cutting machine.

Roller knife device

In practice, it is known that roller knives produced at the factory for cutting metal have a service life of about 30 km of steel sheets, with a caveat to the maximum sheet thickness, which will not exceed 0.5 mm.

Accordingly, if the thickness of the material is higher, then the durability of the tool is reduced. However, nothing prevents you from sharpening the tool and thereby extending its service life.

Necessary materials

A machine for cutting sheet metal, constructed with your own hands at home, requires knives, the range of materials for which is very wide, and the choice of one of them mainly depends on the type and thickness of the material that will need to be cut. If you have to work with not the most durable, thin sheet steel, such as aluminum, then the simplest bearings will be the ideal option. But for the required functionality of a roller knife, they lack sharpening, which should be carried out independently along the entire end of the future tool.

The main roller knife is installed on a movable part of the structure with a pressure handle, which, when pressed, clamps the workpiece between two cutting surfaces. The diameter of the bearings directly affects the speed of work performed. That is, the larger the bearing diameter, the higher the production speed on the machine.

Making a roller knife for metal with your own hands

To simplify the work with the tool and make it more convenient, it would be nice to equip the sheet cutter with a guide plane.

The manufacture and installation of this part is not very difficult, and in return it will greatly simplify the entire process. The result is a universal machine with roller knives, which can interact with other metalworking equipment, which can also be easily constructed at home.

Manufacturing instructions

Factory models of cutters sold in stores, even in standard configuration, will cost a large amount. The price of models offered on the market starts from 20,000 rubles. Such conditions are not beneficial for purchasing a tool for home use or a small workshop, and it will be used extremely rarely.

To begin with, the main body of the instrument is designed, which everyone chooses for themselves. The main attribute of the machine is manufactured - a roller knife for sheet metal. The material from which the part is made directly affects the durability and performance of the unit. As mentioned above, the strength characteristics should be significantly higher than the similar characteristics of the material being cut. Otherwise, the minimum problem will be a low-quality cut, forcing the craftsman to clean and process the edges of each cut piece.

Scheme for assembling a roller knife

Do-it-yourself roller metal shears are mostly made from bearings. Sharpening the ends of the part forms the cutting surfaces. The main roller, connected to the drive, is attached directly to the handle. The lower one is installed on the fixed lower part of the machine. If you have skills in processing iron alloys, manufacturing such a device will take a maximum of a little more than a week, including setting up the unit.

Features of metal cutting at home

Circular knives are an excellent replacement for metal shears, having a number of advantages:

Small dimensions and dimensions.
Simplicity of design.
Easy adjustment.
Convenience and ability to work with a wide range of materials.

Cutting metal with a roller knife

Do-it-yourself sheet metal cutting at home is usually done with cutters or drills. Of course, this approach helps to give the part the desired shape, and at the same time polish the surface. However, it would be much more practical to construct a machine with roller knives with your own hands once (unless, of course, we are talking about cutting scrap metal, since accuracy is not so important there), thereby reducing both the time allotted for processing and minimizing the amount of debris and defects that may occur when using hand tools. To put it simply, circular knives are an excellent replacement for metal shears and even an industrial guillotine.

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List of tools suitable for cutting

You can cut profiled sheets with the following devices:

electric circular saw with saw blade for steel;
hand saw;
jigsaw;
hand scissors for metal;
hand nibblers;
electric scissors - die-cutting, knife, slotting;
The “Cricket” drill attachment is an analogue of electric nibblers.

All of the listed types do not generate sparks during operation and operate on the principle of cold cutting. Electrical devices are available in two versions according to the type of power supply: wired and battery-powered.

It is theoretically possible to cut corrugated sheets with a grinder, but experts do not recommend using this tool. Galvanized steel, which is the basis of the material, and the protective coating on both sides melt at a distance of up to 5 mm from its impact. This causes edge corrosion. The second risk factor is sparks. Once on the surface, they damage the polymer coating.

Is it possible to cut corrugated sheets with a grinder?

The greatest damage to the protective coating of corrugated sheets is caused by heating to high temperatures that occurs during the cutting process. Therefore, the use of gas cutting equipment for these purposes is completely excluded. For the same reason, you cannot cut corrugated sheets with a grinder.

The fact is that when cutting with a high-speed tool with abrasive wheels, the metal at the cut site simply burns. Along with it, the protective coating also burns, not only along the cut line, but on both sides of it. The width of the damaged area is usually 3-5 mm, which leads to the occurrence of so-called edge corrosion.

In addition, sparks flying from under the abrasive wheel are also dangerous. Due to the high temperature, they can damage the polymer coating at a distance of several tens of centimeters from the cut site.

Cutting corrugated sheets with a grinder is possible only in one case - if, before cutting the corrugated sheets, the abrasive wheel is replaced with a cutting disc for corrugated sheets with fine teeth. However, even in this case, using this tool is not recommended, since such a measure will simply reduce the amount of damage, and not remove it altogether.

Design

Roller knife device

In practice, it is known that roller knives produced at the factory for cutting metal have a service life of about 30 km of steel sheets, with a caveat to the maximum sheet thickness, which will not exceed 0.5 mm.

Accordingly, if the thickness of the material is higher, then the durability of the tool is reduced. However, nothing prevents you from sharpening the tool and thereby extending its service life.

Hand tool

To cut short sheets of corrugated sheets, use a hacksaw and a hand jigsaw, the relief height of which is no more than 25 mm. When cut, the sheet covering is subject to less destruction compared to a grinder. The cut edges are smooth, without jagged edges. No special physical effort is required. The downside is that it is difficult to make curved cuts, and a special table is needed to cut the sheet.

Using a jigsaw, cut the sheets lengthwise and crosswise at high speeds, using a fine-toothed file. To prevent the sheet from vibrating, it must be pressed.

A jigsaw is used to refine complex lines in geometry after working with power tools. The downside is that cutting thin strips with a jigsaw will be extremely inconvenient.

Not widely used, but easy to use, are scissors for cutting metal. Sheets of corrugated sheets are cut relatively quickly and without much effort, but the edges may be jagged. This is not so scary, since the corrugated sheet can then be covered with the next sheet.

Warning: In general, hand tools are useful for small jobs. For example, installing a fence. They are not as fast as electrical appliances, however, they retain a protective layer.

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Necessary materials

Making a roller knife for metal with your own hands

To simplify the work with the tool and make it more convenient, it would be nice to equip the sheet cutter with a guide plane.

Manufacturing instructions

Scheme for assembling a roller knife