How to cut steel sheet metal

[jadaro2600]

Hi PL,

28-Guage that’s 0.0149”
I have installed many windows and used that same stuff for capping.
All I use is a straight edge and a razor knife.

Clamp your straight edge into position, score the metal a few times with your knife, remove the straight edge, fold your metal and it should separate very easily.
Perfect cut every time.

Wayne

...best advice yet.

Use a straight edge and a razor ...score multiple times, and move the score inline with the edge of the table and press down evenly across the entire length of the piece.   The score should break easily if you've pressed down evenly during the cut.  You could wind up going through a few razors for this.

-James

[capthook]

A jigsaw with a metal-cutting blade works well and quickly.

I recently made numerous complicated cuts out of 16 gauge, so 28 gauge would be a breeze.

Then smooth out the cuts with a hand file. (slightly raised edges)

[PaulLowrance]

Thanks for the replies. In this case, the bending of the steel is probably not a good idea since there's a very important thin coating of paint on the steel that cannot be damaged. Another reason is that the steel will be layered together to form a laminated transformer, so the entire piece of steel must be perfectly flat.

I'll buy the following metal shear cutter from Harbor Freight for $35 -->
http://www.overunity.com/index.php?action=post;topic=6858.10;num_replies=16

If I wasn't so broke I'd buy a good one at Home Depot, but they sell for hundreds of dollars. Anyhow, this particular shear cutter design seems to be appropriate for my application. Here's a video of the same type of shear cutter, different manufacturer -->

Skip to 1 minute & 35 seconds into the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cvyCZTDXqg

This type of shear cutter does not remove material, just cuts, and there's no burrs and such.

Thanks,
PL

[infringer]

Looks nice so do all commercials...

Attention to detail and cut shots should make you wonder though look at the shamwow commercial and excellent example when he says one shot will not cut away you will notice the amount of cola and pay attention on the rug sample....

All commercials have one goal in mind to impress you enough to buy there product...

Let me know how the product really functions when you get it!

[PaulLowrance]

Both Harbor Freight stores were out of them. Maybe they're popular because that shamwow guy can sure sell a product, lol. 

PL