Start the curved cut by nibbling at the gash left by the screwdriver with the tip of offset compound snips until you can slip the lower blade under the metal.
Cutting 18 gauge sheet metal.
Thin gauge steel like sheet metal can be cut with a large variety of tools.
They have short powerful jaws that can cut through 18 gauge sheet metal as well as the seams on sheet metal ducts.
You can cut mild steel up to about 3 8 in.
Additionally the type of metal you are cutting make a big difference.
Thicker steel like pipes tubes and plates may require the use of power saws and torches.
If it say 18 gauge that really is the limit.
You probably wont find snips which are capable of cutting above 18 gauge mild steel.
Hot metal chips will fly everywhere.
For auto body work or any other metal cutting project this metal shear makes smooth and clean cuts in aluminum plastic or sheet metal as thick as 18 gauge.
For a reference on gauge thickness see our gauge chart.
Thick using a ferrous metal cutting blade.
Aviation snips and tin snips are a common method of cutting thin sheet metal for hobbyists.
Then cut a gradual curve until you reach the curved line.
These metal shears are deal for any shop garage or hobbyist requiring precision metal cutting.
Steel comes in many different forms and thicknesses.
Cut metal with your circular saw.
It may not be an obvious choice but fitted with the right blade a circular saw is a great metal cutting tool.
Pay attention to the gauge rating for your tools.
Guide the top blade of your snips along the line to complete the cutout.
In our test it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter.
Also referred to as aviator snips these scissor like hand tools cut sheet metal materials up to 18 gauge in thickness accurately without leaving a ragged bent edge as the finished product.
You can go up a couple thickness with aluminum 20 gauge steel vs.
They are also handy to have around for cutting all sorts of other sheet materials plastic leather rubber etc so they re well worth the 10 or 12 for a decent pair.
18 gauge aluminum but the opposite is true for stainless.
You can damage the tool using it with heavier gauge material.
