Cutting tin

[dhermesc]

What is the common method to cut tin for a barn roof? I've seen lots of cuts made with circular saws with the blade in backwards - is there a common blade that can be used "regular style" instead? Sawzall blade that makes long cuts? I've got about 100 foot of cuts to be made.

 

[JF in MI]

An abrasive blade for metal in a circular saw. I had to cut a lot of metal roofing for several of my buildings and they work the easiest. You may go through a number of blades.

 

[old]

Years ago I was told about and how to build a set up for cutting roofing metal and nw I wish I had either gotten the plans or made one back then. The jig use a simple piece of wire that was tight and a frame that you put the metal in and then pulled up or pushed down and the wire cut the metal like a hot knife in butter

 

[Greg K]

They make a shear to cut it with too. Much quieter and safer

 

[hoof print]

I used a diamond masonry blade in my circular saw. Works great, but it is loud. Wear your ear muffs and eye protection!

 

[Janicholson]

Hand held plasma torch with a strip of corrugated wood usually used for support at the resting points as a guide. Lotos Welding Tools 50-Amp Dual Voltage Plasma Cutter LT5000D LM788173 is one example at about 400 bucks. You wanted to buy one anyway. Jim

 

[Nebraska Kirk]

(quoted from post at 16:53:40 01/04/16) What is the common method to cut tin for a barn roof? I've seen lots of cuts made with circular saws with the blade in backwards - is there a common blade that can be used "regular style" instead? Sawzall blade that makes long cuts? I've got about 100 foot of cuts to be made.

Before getting a Dewalt cordless metal shear, I cut a LOT of barn tin with a skilsaw, so I can say do NOT put the blade in backwards! Use a NEW blade and put it in the correct way and it will cut a LOT better. The more teeth a circular saw blade has, the better it will cut the thin tin. There are blades made with 100 teeth or more specifically for cutting thin sheet metal, but I have used standard 24 tooth blades a lot with good success.

 

[Andy Martin]

I do well using a plywood blade, and have built three or four barns with the same old blade, turned forward, not backward. Cuts fast but you need ear and face protection, goggles and face shield, lots of metal flying around.

 

[jeffcat]

You are correct! Pro-cut, Nickoles , spell Sait and a bunch of others make those. Trouble is most are made for demolition saws. Like 12 and 14 inch. Most are gas power but WOW do they cut. You can even go out and cut up the local railroad near by. Go hit the local rental place and rent one when you are ready to go and they will fix you up with blades and don't forget glasses and ear plugs.

 

[Andy Martin]

(quoted from post at 16:06:29 01/04/16) Years ago I was told about and how to build a set up for cutting roofing metal and nw I wish I had either gotten the plans or made one back then. The jig use a simple piece of wire that was tight and a frame that you put the metal in and then pulled up or pushed down and the wire cut the metal like a hot knife in butter

That works for cutting parallel to the ribs, not so good cutting gables. Piano wire wrapped around a wooden handle ties to a post and pulled up while walking along the tin. I still use a saw.

 

[hd6gtom]

If you use your skill saw, make sure it has a 100% metal frame, no plastic it will melt.

 

[ztrmower]

use ti just use blade in backwards skil saw. then went to a skil saw blade made for cutting metal. work fine. just make sure protect eyes and ears.

 

[JBDyer]

I have cut 100's of feet of barn tin with my electric nibbler, works great, no sparks and pretty fast too.

 

[marloweg]

4 1/2 inch angle grinder with a cut off wheel cheep fast and can cut curves all we use

 

[caterpillar guy]

Much quieter than a saw, is the disc grinder with a cutting wheel. It will cut with little noise and no mess to clean up afterwards.

 

[4520BW]

I bought a Milwaukee 18v metal cutting circular saw and it works great on tin and even cut 3/8 plate with it.

 

[ohiodick]

If you are cutting lenghtwise score with razor knife and snap it off no noise no ragged edges.cross wise tin snips.

 

[led]

A COUPLE OF 2X4'S & 10' OF bailing wire. Discussed on this site a few years ago.
HTH
Led

 

[rossow (mn)]

I have used an air nibbler to cut both with and across the ribs, and it has worked well. I have also used air shears, circular saws and saber saws, but I like the nibbler best -- clean, quiet and quick (although not as quick as a saw, but the quiet and clean make up for it).

 

[bobwny]

i started out with saws also,but what noise and sparks.finally bit the bullet and bought quality electric nibblers,best buy ever.

 

[Ellis Kinney]

I use a Bosch metal shear. Ellis

 

[Nebraska Kirk]

(quoted from post at 18:03:08 01/04/16) If you use your skill saw, make sure it has a 100% metal frame, no plastic it will melt.

The skilsaw I have used to cut MANY sheets of tin has a plastic body and it has not melted. Still using it to cut lumber and it is going strong.

 

[rfridy76]

Twin blade Dual Saw.

 

[Tramway Guy]

I used a Milwaukee metal shear to cut ALL my tin. Works Great!
shear

 

[marloweg]

dont cut ribbed steel like pole barn steel

 

[Tom in Ga]

A Mexican crew installed a roof for me a couple of months ago. All they used was a pair of hand shears. Quick and accuriate. They would call out measurements for vent pipes. They would mark the tin and knocke a hole with a straight claw hammer and trim it out with the shears. Fit like a glove every time.Tommy

 

[ajcoc]

I bolted 2used road grader blades together at 1 end to make shears. Got worn out blades from local twp. garage for very little cash.

 

[ObsoElitist]

I have done it with power shears but some shapes can be a pain. Next time I will try out my plasma cutter it does not burn back edges much

 

[showcrop]

I use my light saber. Effortless except for the spinning myself around part.

 

[gears]

Malco makes a "turbo shear" that straps to your cordless drill - the HD model makes short work of all the hills and valleys, doesn't burn the paint off the cut edge, no debris flying in your face, nice and quiet.

100 foot is alot but after cutting my barn in with my circular saw, the HD shear is the way to go. Beats my Milwalkee metal shear with that stupid razor sharp ribbon scrolling up into my hand....