Looking for tools to cut sheet metal

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Looking for tools to cut sheet metalI’m a hobby guy that does not have a ton of money and even less space. What are some good tools for cutting sheet metal? I have a big air compressor but all the pneumatic cutters I see don’t seem to cut thicker than 18 gauge. I get all my sheet metal in the form of “drops” from a fab shop. The thinnest stuff I regularly find is in the 16 – 14 gauge range.Thus far I have been using my 4.5” angle grinder with a cut-off wheel.Any advice- send it my way.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Save up money for a Plasma cutter.The little 125c that I have works great- yeah I know $$$Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:https://www.google.com/search?source...e+Power+Shears
Reply:I've got an older track torch for sale.Thanks,HoboLincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:I have a Miller 375 X-treme plasma system for sale, one year old.  Would be perfect for sheet metal work, turns out to be a little weak for what I want.  PM if interested.I know....kinda weak for a 1st post!  Been lurking for a while, haven't yet had an opportunity to contribute otherwise....
Reply:If most of your work entails straight line cutting, I'd just take it to the nearest place that has a sheet metal shear.  At maybe 20 bucks a pop, it would take a long time to add up to what a plasma would cost.  But, then again, maybe not.Any kind of torch cutting is really out of the question, unless you can use the metal in a warped state.  If it's just to fill in frames etc. the warp is ok, you can clamp before you weld.  But if you want pristine metal..........it's back to shearing or plasma.I had to do some real soul searching before I plunked down the moola to buy a plasma cutter.  And it forced me to upgrade my compressed air equipment.  It's a LOT OF MONEY.Buying used is an option, but it's full of pitfalls.  I generally tend to want to purchase all electronic items new.  I'm not saying there isn't some good stuff out there.And then.................there's SWMBO  (thanks Roy, I really like this one )"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Thanks guysfdcmiami I have done a fair amount of looking and never seen shears for 14 gauge! Man I feel like an ***. The school/bus garage (I'm a teacher) does have a plasma cutter which I use if I have a lot of cutting. I do not think I could run my compressor and a plasma at the same time with out popping breakers. I'm having an electrician over in a few days I will ask him once I get specs. on a plasma cutter. To be honest a plasma for me would be kind of a waste of $$.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Reebs,I don't know what you may want to spend but I may be able to help you out with a plasma cutter at a fair price and I warranty everyone I sell (yes even used ones). You can email or call me. my web site is below.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:I just looked at the prices of the shears.OUCHmechanic416I might get in contact with you once i talk to the electrician.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:If you don't mind noise a circular saw works.  I have a steelmax circular that does well.  I also have a northern tools metal saw.  Hands down,  the steelmax is better.  Also, always had trouble finding blades to fit the arbor for the northern saw.  What size sheets  12" shears are not too expensive.
Reply:Originally Posted by ReebsI just looked at the prices of the shears.OUCHmechanic416I might get in contact with you once i talk to the electrician.
Reply:for low bucks a skilsw, with a metal blade for straight cuts and a jig saw with metal blades for curves.neither are ideal but both work. On very thin sheet stock take an old blade turn it around backwards so the teeth piont in the wrong direction, cut a lot of roofing steel that way ( use an old blade ).
Reply:I've got a 36" Tennsmith stomp shear for small straight cuts but my go to method /tool is either one of my Beverly shears.
Reply:i think the beverly shear is a great tool;  i've used them quite a bit but rarely see them any more.   you can split a scribed line with one.   another tools i used quite a bit doing blowpipe was .a circle shear. we cut circles for a variety of things but most often to cap a companion flange.   i've only seen one in a couple of shops.  you could cut perfect circles in steel up to 11 ga.  they were fast also.   i had forgotten about the jigsaw, it has its place too and will cut 14 ga no problem but blades wear down quickly.
Reply:Once you start passing 16 ga you start needing more power and power usually cost more money. On the "cheap", the grinder and circular saw with metal blade are good ways to make straight cuts and the jigsaw for  curves. I'll usually back up the thin sheet with a thin chunk of plywood and cut thru both the help stabilize things with the jig saw. Access to a big shear or plasma isn't an option usually for a small shop. I'm somewhat the opposite of many here. I wish sometimes my plasma was smaller. I'd use mine more for cutting thin sheet if it wasn't 230v and needed a decent sized compressor. When I bought it  originally the plan was to deal with 1/4"-3/8" SS in a CNC table. Now I find I use it more for stuff 1/8" and less and really don't need the top end power as much. A small 110v unit and a smaller compressor or air cylinders would work just fine for the sheet I need to do occasionally. If I did more sheet work, I'd probably invest in one, but can make do just fine in most cases without needing to use my big plasma. For thinner stuff I have a set of hand niblers that are terrific for tight curves and doesn't distort either side of the thin sheet. I think mine are rated for 18 ga though max. One nice thing about them is that you can start in the middle of a sheet if you drill a hole 1st. I use then a lot to do duct cutouts as it doesn't leave sharp jagged edges like most sips do and doesn't distort the sheet. The down side is that it does cut a fairly large "kerf" so you loose material if you are trying to save both pieces.http://www.eastwood.com/supercoup-nr...er-shears.html.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I have fallen in love with my steelmax saw, for straight cuts on sheet goods it is hands down the best portable option in my arsenal.  cut - weld, no dross, no slag, smooth clean edge.When any government, or any church for that matter, undertakes to say to its subjects, "This you may not read, this you must not see, this you are forbidden to know," the end result is tyranny and oppression, no matter how holy the motives.
Reply:"For thinner stuff I have a set of hand niblers that are terrific for tight curves and doesn't distort either side of the thin sheet. I think mine are rated for 18 ga though max. One nice thing about them is that you can start in the middle of a sheet if you drill a hole 1st. I use then a lot to do duct cutouts as it doesn't leave sharp jagged edges like most sips do and doesn't distort the sheet. The down side is that it does cut a fairly large "kerf" so you loose material if you are trying to save both pieces."I forgot about those and they are pretty handy. particularly in odd corners and  such.
Reply:I bought the H/F beverly shear copycat a couple weeks ago, I wish I had bought one years ago. While it isn't as good as the Beverly it does cut 16 gauge like butter. You can also use some angle clamped in vise with the sheet metal and use a sharp chisel/hammer for lighter gauge material.Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st