Whats the easiest way to cut shapes in sheet metal?

Jim Berquist · Post by **Jim Berquist** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 4:16 pm

Stainless in harder then mild steal...Don't expect the blades to last to long.

I have used a hand nibbler a few times on like .02........Ok...Takes forever.

Jim

El-Kablooey · Post by **El-Kablooey** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 5:31 pm

I've got an air nibbler, I've used it quite a bit on 22ga stainless. It cuts wicked fast, and doesn't leave any burrs at all. I find it hard to follow a line though. I use the nibbler to cut out the part 1/4" or so from the cut line, this makes for easy work with the snips finishing up.

The cutter in my nibbler has lasted longer than I expected it to. When it does begin to dull, replacements are $7.00.

Post by **Mike Everman** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 6:41 am

I've only cut .035" thick soft and half hard 304SS with mine. Goes like butter through that.

Irvine.J · Post by **Irvine.J** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 8:38 am

My drill nibbler can go to 1.0 mm SS i think, you MUST oil the heck out of it though. 1.5mm for mild steel, though i'm blasting through 1.6 atm.

hagent · Post by **hagent** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:38 am

Harbour Frieght has an electic shear that is rated up to 18 gauge stainless.
It saved my ass this last week. I wasted 3 hours of a Saturday trying to use my hand shears. They worked but I couldn't find the strength after the first big cone. So I bought the eletric shear, and it works great. It's very hard to do tight arcs though. It only cost around $40.

Good luck

www.pulse-jets.com

Whats the easiest way to cut shapes in sheet metal?

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