Sheet metal cutter

[gonzalo medina]

What would you guys recommend?? Keep in mind I don't have a air compressor.

[black70cs]

What gauge? you can use a thin cutoff wheel (.045) on a 4 1/2" angle grinder or bandsaw. Or even a jig saw which can be cumbersome on thin sheetmetal. Hope this helps.
Charlie

[gonzalo medina]

Well I really don't know how to tell the size of sheet metal. I haven't been around it long enough, but about the size of our trucks. Hoods, fender, beds...ect

[lazyj70]

An electric nippler will work for 18Ga. and down.

[mrsnicks]

Before my wonderful stepfather bought a plasma cutter (that he lets me use whenever I want) I used anything from a cutoff tool (air too), to an electric sawzall, to a gas powered chop saw (construction tool) with a metal cutting blade.

Use whatever you have that is available and will do the job. Some tight spots required I use a elbow grease-powered hack saw.

Patrick

[FORDification]

I'd suggest either the nibbler or just using a cut-off wheel in an angle grinder. I just use the angle grinder for 99% of my cuts.

And start saving up for a good air compressor! How in the world do you get any work done without one??

[gonzalo medina]

Yeah I know, the air compressor is on top of the to buy list. I still don't really know alot about them to make a huge investment quickly. I defenatly will have one soon.

[mytmatt]

I used a cordless electric sawz all for the first time last weekend, I was pretty impressed with it. It was a Dewalt, great for tree trimming and cutting flanges off header collectors. I'll be getting one of those...

[binder56jd]

those cordless sawzall's are the best thing since chocolate milk

[gonzalo medina]

Hey binder56....your the freaken man. You always finad a way to jump into the conversation. THAT'S A GOOD THINK...

[marz68]

4 1/2 cutting wheel is my favorite for sheet metal.
If you use heat (plasma cutter) it might warp the area that you are working on.

[gonzalo medina]

I just bought a few sheets of diamond plate steel. There 1/8 thick and plan to make some door panels. I just don't want to waste perfectly good metal. I was told get it laser cut????????????

[marz68]

I would just cut it all with cutting wheels and run a soft disc on it to mooth it all out.

[gonzalo medina]

Now that sounds like a plan. Thanks mars I'll try that.