Cutting sheet metal 12G to 20G............?

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Hey all,I have been using a skill "type" saw with a worm drive and a carbide disk to cut all of my sheet metal ($150 on the saw and $50 on the blade) It is really hard to get a straight cut and it is a pain to work with. My budget would love to have a hydraulic break but.... I am not made of that kind of money. I have a $199 bend from HF and that works great for my bends (not 12g or 14g unless your he man) and I was wondering if there was a thread for a hand made hydraulic break or if there is another solution? I was thinking a table saw would be great but do they make blades in that size for metal? Any help would be great!http://www.tylertool.com/skil12.htmlThanksAdam
Reply:It shouldn't be hard to get a strait cut if your running it along a strait edge guide. --Gol'
Reply:ditto... my dad and I use an old 4' level as a straight edge. we clamp it down and run the base of the saw along it. as long as the level is secured tightly, it never moves... don't put all your weight on the level, but use it as a guide and it will work fine. you could also use a scrap of straight metal, and lay 3, or 5, evenly spaced tacks along the back side of the edge. then run the saw on the non-tacked side. when finished, break the straight-edge off and grind the tacks down. the hardest part for me is lining up the blaon the exact line that i want to cut. they also make an attachment for saws like that. it is basically an arm with a piece of angle on the end. the angle runs along the side of the metal and the arm attaches to the base. it's a little hard to understand. let me know if you want me to get a picture of one. they are kinda pricey for not being very complex, and the straight edge has always worked for us, so we neve bothered getting a guide.hope that helps...Later,Andy
Reply:is this any good?http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43353
Reply:Originally Posted by Bullseyeis this any good?http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43353
Reply:If you use c-clamps to hold your straight edge instead of tacks you don't have to grind the tacks off.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.