Size & Cutting Suggestions

admin

Please let me start by saying that this may not be the “correct” section to post these questions.  If so, I’m truly sorry and will learn from my mistake.I recently purchased some expanded metal for a small project.  On the receipt from the supplier it states “#13” which I assumed was the gauge of the metal.  While contemplating which approach to use in cutting the expanded metal, I put a “gauge” on it and it appears to be #15 gauge and not #13.  Was I wrong to assume that #13 indicated the gauge?  If it really is 15 gauge and not 13, can it be cut with a hand shear? When searching it looks like most inexpensive shears will not cut larger than 14.  Any insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!Thanks!Victor O/AMillermatic 210Hypertherm 380Miller Thunderbolt
Reply:What gauge did you put on it?16Ga steel is about 0.060", 15 is about 0.067", 14 is about 0.075", and 13 is about 0.090". If you are cutting the expanded metal through the thin sections, you can probably go a little bigger than the shear rating safely. Through the wider points, might not be so good. I usually just put a cutoff wheel in the 4.5" grinder and run it. Very fast, very easy, very clean, and no fighting to get the shears through. Minor nipping (like a hole for a  piece of EMT to go through, where only a couple of snips are needed) tends to be done with heavy dikes or cable nips.
Reply:Originally Posted by enlpckWhat gauge did you put on it?16Ga steel is about 0.060", 15 is about 0.067", 14 is about 0.075", and 13 is about 0.090". If you are cutting the expanded metal through the thin sections, you can probably go a little bigger than the shear rating safely. Through the wider points, might not be so good. I usually just put a cutoff wheel in the 4.5" grinder and run it. Very fast, very easy, very clean, and no fighting to get the shears through. Minor nipping (like a hole for a  piece of EMT to go through, where only a couple of snips are needed) tends to be done with heavy dikes or cable nips.
Reply:I think the 13 is supposed to be the gauge of the stuff. I used to cut it using an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. I more recently started cutting it with a vertical bandsaw, which is nicer in just about every way. Although as far as a simple, pretty fast cutting method, the angle grinder should do the trick.
Reply:I used to cut expanded metal with my torch. But now I have a plasma cutter. I have not tried it yet, but it has a setting for that exact situation that keeps the plasma going while you are hitting open air between the sections of the expanded metal. If anyone has used this feature, please let us know how well it works. I will scrounge for a piece to try out sometime soon.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:I've cut tons of expanded steel with a little lincoln 85 amp plasma, never had any problems. Arc doens't really go out in the air gaps. --Gol'
Reply:And... don't forget about the reciprocating saw, as in Sawsall.  It'll zip right through that stuff.
Reply:I've not taken a micrometer to expanded before.  I wonder if that's as accurate.  I would assume that the gauge is the steel before the expanding and flattening process (assuming you have the flattened expanded).