Cutting Thin Sheet Metal With Jigsaw

Jigsaws are increasingly being used for cutting harder materials metal in particular.

Cutting thin sheet metal with jigsaw.

To reduce the heat buildup you need to use the proper jigsaw blade with minimal pressure and set your jigsaw to a slow cutting speed. 36 tpi sheet metal cutting jig saw blade bi metal t shank 5 pack model dw3778 5 17 97 17 97. With the proper blade jigsaws can cut through wood with embedded nails 1 8 in. For curved cuts a thinner blade can be better and a slower speed set before cutting.

Obviously though cutting metal requires not only the correct blade but a jigsaw with the power needed to perform the cut accurately and safely. Use blades with 21 to 24 teeth per inch to cut metal. Stainless steel builds up heat quickly when you are cutting. Mild steel no iron pipe and sheet metal up to 10 gauge thick photo 6.

Step 3 measure the desired. When all the elements are set properly you will easily cut through the stainless steel and not waste many jigsaw blades in the process. Before doing something dangerous such as cutting sheet metal be reminded to put safety first. Step 1 observe safety precautions.

Jigsaws use a reciprocating blade to make their cuts. How to cut sheet metal with a jigsaw. This is our opinion but we can explain why. For metal more smaller finer teeth are required than for cutting wood because metal is obviously much harder to cut through apart from for very thin materials at least two three teeth will almost always be cutting the material when the jigsaw is in use.

Even with the right blade designed for cutting metal the jigsaw still seems to lock up on its cuts. Bosch are particularly proud of the latest addition to their stable of jigsaws. 10 tpi to 21 tpi md 77 bi metal t shank premium jig saw blade for cutting thin to thick metal 5 pack model 2150143 17 88 17 88. You can use a jigsaw to cut stainless steel but it isn t the preferred tool of choice.

Use fine toothed blades for thin materials and rough cutting blades for thicker structural materials. The cut can produce enough heat to melt the teeth from the edge of a jigsaw blade.