I have a large outbuilding that is framed in tin. I'm not sure what type of tin or metal this is - it is applied in sheets with rivets and is very sturdy stuff. I need to cut a dog door and have no idea what type of saw or tool I need. I am determined to do this job myself but am seriously hardware challenged. Thanks in advance for any advice shared. I would also welcome any safety tips you might have.

 

What kind of saw do you have?
I would use a circular saw with a metal cutting blade.
ALWAYS wear safety glasses, and since you're cutting metal, wear heavy gloves for the sharp edges.
Good Luck!

 

Hi OldGuy - actually I'm going to have a buy the saw (and lots of other stuff too, I think). I'm sure my local hardware will be happy to offer lots of buying advice, but please don't hesitate with opinions. This is my first home, a major fixer upper with tons of small projects. The big stuff (electric rewiring, etc.) pretty much wiped out the budget so I'm stuck on my own trying to do it all. The fact that I'm not a guy puts me at somewhat of a disadvantage but since just about everyone is telling me I'll not be able to do it, failure is not an option. My only fear is that I'll ask too many questions and you all will get tired of hearing from me. Thanks for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it. Jesse

 

I might think of buying a reciprocating saw or sawzall. I feel this would be the best tool for this job. With the use of a metal cutting blade it would cut anything it comes across in the wall. It will cut the rivets, nails, and almost anything else. It is also fairly light and easy to use, for the not so big person. If you are not real experienced with power tools, you may have to drill a pilot hole to help you start.

 

And, I would go for the lightest option, a power scroll saw. With a good metal cutting blade (about $2.00 each), you should have no problem cutting your hole, and you will be able to curve the top. I have a DeWalt, and love mine. No tools required to change blades and the blade has orbital motion, so cuts steel really well. I just cut 1/8 inch diamond plate with it, and it was a snap. Much easier to control than a sawzall, altho I do use my sawzall on larger jobs. You will still need to drill a pilot hole to start the blade in, unless you have clear access to an edge.

 

Jesse,
You can't ask "too many" questions here. We're all just "volunteers' that enjoy trying to help others, so ask away.
I agree with Craftsman and Rick. Basically, any type of saw with a metal cutting blade will get this particular job done, and it's just a matter of preference.
However, based on your last post, I still recommend going with a circular saw, since you will probably get more use out of it at first. You just need to get different types of blades for different jobs.
Good Luck!

 

I saw this thread yesterday and decided I would avoid cutting the metal all together and instead, design a solution around it. I too thought of the list of metal cutting tools:
circular saw, tin snips, scroll saw, chop saw, sawsall, bandsaw, bolt cutters, die grinders, cutting torch.

However, now that everyone has began the litany of tools that will do this job, I am jumping in! Just can't control myself sometimes.

First, I thought of OldGuys solution, and I still think it is the most practical. The other tools are excellent choice's and they are certainly tools you you will want to own for a variety of reasons. I think they all will work.

Cutting corragated metal is not a common shop task. Do not think it is like cutting wood. It is not, and this discussion serves to illustrate the problems of cutting metal. As for the best overall shop tool, I like the circular saw. It cuts straight; fast; plunge cuts. One carbide or diamond tipped blade will last forever compared to the fragile 2" length of the scroll saw blade. The circular saw blade will not snap off as happens with scroll saw blades. The sawsall is better suited for demolition, steel pipes, etc, because the object being sawed is rigidly afixed to a wall and will not move. Conversely, when used for freestanding cuts, the sawsall requires powerful human grip and holding power to overcome the RIPPING torque of the motor and cutting action of the teeth. A 13amp sawsall will show you who is the boss. It just is seldom used on the 'construction' project, but rather the 'destruction' project. The circular saw will produce a lot of sparks and noise so protect your ears and eyes.

Having said all that. Believe me, I would use ANY and ALL of these tools to Get The Job Done !!

Now here is something, I'll bet you guys have not seen. A true value hardware store here has a metal cutting blade mounted in a power miter saw and they use it to cut metal to length, for customers! (Flat bar, tubing, etc) Lot's of noise and sparks, but does the job quite well. No burns or burrs as you would get with a metal cutting chop saw.

I dable in sheet metal work and I just happen to own a "air nibbler". Around $30 to $100, but you need an air compressor to operate it. I would use the air nibbler for such a job, IF, the metal were not to thick for it. Air nibbles only cut metal up to a specified gauge and corragated building metal may exceed that,,don't know Downside to this, is that you will likely never use the air nibbler the rest of your life, unless you have alot of metal buildings
The pro's are that it is safe, fast, easy, no projectile discharge, and somewhat accurate. It's alot like using electric sissors.

My last idea is this. A simple 12" hack saw. Most overlooked tool for cutting all kinds of metal. Put a new sharp blade, get a pair of gloves, be patience, and saw. Since you only have one project to cut, this would be the most economical.
Most people have a dull blade in there hack saw, thus always search for other 'power' methods to cut. I guarantee I can cut a flat bar stock with a hacksaw and new blade, faster than you can get set up for a power tool cut. My point is this; a new sharp blade cuts metal like butter. We tend to dull our metal blades fast because we don't oil the blade as we cut. And everyone knows that oil preserves metal saw blades my removing the 'heat' created my cutting.

Weather you buy a hacksaw, scrollsaw, or sawsall blade for the job, keep this in mind. Buy the finest teeth available. The course teeth (10 TPI) is for thicker materials. In theory, 2 teeth should bridge the thickness of the material you are cutting. As a rule of thumb, sheet metal needs fine teeth, bar metal needs course teeth. Thats number of teeth per inch. 18 TPI, teeth per inch, or more, should work for corragated metal.

Thanks for asking the question. These are the most fun questions to answer!

OldGuy, you said,
" We're all just "volunteers' that enjoy trying to help others, so ask away."

That explains why I haven't got my paycheck from DIY yet! I thought there might be a catch to this forum stuff!! That explains why I didn't get the .......and the ..


[Edited by Mark Chapman on 01-19-01 at 08:29]

 

Mark,
You're not getting paid ANYTHING for this??!!
I, personally, am getting "rich". LOL.
YOU just didn't negotiate the same deal that I did, apparently.
(I MUST be a millionaire, because I think that I owe that much, so some fools think I am.)
LOL.
Mike

 

Jesse:
Everyone gave good answers. Some kind of wordy. But good info. I think in your case you should get a circular saw with a metal cutting blade. One thing to bear in mind and I know this is hard, do not buy cheap tools. Buy cheap get cheap, and buy again. If you spend a little more it will be well worth it. Stick with major brands like DEWalt, Miketa, or Porter Cable. Any time you have questions, feel free to ask. Yes, I know you will get the job done, and anything we can do to help we will be glad to. Sometimes you get more info then you asked for. Don't let those other volunteers pull your leg too much. They don't know it but I am the one who gets paid. I always get paid. Have a great day. Good Luck

 

LOL, Jack! I KNEW it!
Mike

 

My good friend how are you doing. Bet your warm in the sunny south, sitting on your patio, with a fancy drink with an umbrella in it. Cold here, but just keep rolling. Have a good one.