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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dahlonega , Georgia
Posts: 14,583
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how to cut sheet metal?
I need to cut some 22 gauge sheet metal, the cuts need a clean straight edge so the metal can be welded for patching in rusted areas on a Porsche 914. I have a 3 inch rotary air cut off tool but this seems slow. I was thinking of a air driven nibbler or shear. What's the right tool for a back yard mechanic? I also have bench top table saw,power mitre box,circular saw,jig saw and various hand held tin snips.
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2002 Boxster S . Arctic silver + black top/int. Jake Raby 3.6 SS engine " the beast ". GT3 front bumper, GT3 side skirts and GT3 TEK rear diffuser. 1999 996 C4 coupe black/grey with FSI 3.8 engine . Rear diffuser , front spoiler lip with ducktail spoiler . |
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12-24-2006, 09:39 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Tucson AZ USA
Posts: 8,228
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Body panels or hidden stuff like the battery box or floorboards?
If the pieces are generally "square" (straight sides), talk nice to your friendly neighboehood sheet metal shop and they can shear them close enough that trimming with a good pair of sheet metal shears might do the trick.
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Bob S. former owner of a 1984 silver 944 |
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12-24-2006, 09:53 AM
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Too big to fail
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22ga? What are you trying to do, wrap up leftovers?
For a clean edge, use a nibbler, failing that, try one of the air-powered body saws from Harbor Freight.
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"You go to the track with the Porsche you have, not the Porsche you wish you had." '03 E46 M3 '57 356A Various VWs |
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12-24-2006, 10:09 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: US
Posts: 1,621
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Nibbler works well, or some very large heavy duty shears. I have an older set but I don't know where you'd buy them today. They're large enough that I have cut .125" with ease!
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12-24-2006, 10:11 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seattle
Posts: 5,823
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Metal cutting bandsaw, then clean any jaggies up on a belt sander.
That's how we use to cut out armour patterns. |
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12-24-2006, 10:28 AM
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Central Coast California
Posts: 1,299
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cutting one
nibbler +1 very nice tool, you can cut intricate shapes with a little practice.
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'68 911 2.2 "E" PMO Carbs, Electromotive Crankfire Ignition, Adjustable Spring Plates, turbo tie rods, Bilsteins, headers, MB911 muffler... "The sea merely lies in wait for the innocent but it stalks the unwary." |
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12-24-2006, 10:29 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,665
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I like the power shears. I have these and they are great.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92115 |
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12-24-2006, 10:57 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dahlonega , Georgia
Posts: 14,583
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22 gauge for the rear trunk floor of the 914, it seems the same thickness of the OEM floor. Milt I'll take a look at HF for that electric shear. Thanks guys.
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2002 Boxster S . Arctic silver + black top/int. Jake Raby 3.6 SS engine " the beast ". GT3 front bumper, GT3 side skirts and GT3 TEK rear diffuser. 1999 996 C4 coupe black/grey with FSI 3.8 engine . Rear diffuser , front spoiler lip with ducktail spoiler . |
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12-24-2006, 11:55 AM
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Registered abUser
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Sawzall with fine tooth blade. Big band saw would be ideal, but not practical for most garages.
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12-24-2006, 02:54 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,665
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I've cut my share of mild steel on a band saw. It needs to run at half (or less) speed and even bi-metal blades don't last a long time. For AL, it's great, even the thick stuff. For steel, shears are the best and most efficient. If the metal is too thick for shears, it's just right for a torch or plasma cutter. I haven't found any upright band saws that are affordable and easy to change speeds.
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12-24-2006, 04:29 PM
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1981 Porsche 911SC 3.0L
