Best tool to cut thin metal trims at speed?

[alphabeta279]

Hi all,

Just looking for a bit of advice as to what tool I should be looking for.

I'm fairly frequently needing to cut thin strips of metal for trimming things (this will include mitre and angle cuts).

I've used a chopsaw for this in the past, but this is often quite dangerous as the blade can 'pull' the metal and bend it.

A standard hacksaw does the job, but is much slower. Using a mitre block improves things, but is limited to set 45/90 degree angles.

Can you get a scrollsaw that allows mitres? Or can you get a mini bandsaw?

Any thoughts/tips most welcome!

 

[novocaine]

munch munch.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cla...DHrRiCYrEs3t2zAPLJAaAuq_EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Garden Shed Projects]

Tend to use these for ceiling fixing. They are pretty effective on thin metal.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wiss-M3R-M...d=1&keywords=Wiss+Snips&qid=1624528525&sr=8-3

 

[bansobaby]

4 1/2 inch angle grinder with plasma disc?

 

[TRITON]

The nibbler obviously punches out little bits, so you could say its a bit wasteful. The shear looks to be the better of these two options.

 

[novocaine]

The nibbler obviously punches out little bits, so you could say its a bit wasteful. The shear looks to be the better of these two options.

counter argument, the shears deform the sheet, the nibbler doesn't.
Also, who doesn't like to spend the next 3 weeks plucking little bits of metal out of their fingers?
I'm lucky, I have both as dedicated tools, both have their uses but most of the time the big manual sheer wins as it can cut up to 2mm plate.

 

[Fergie 307]

You don't say how thick, or what material. For anything less than about 1mm I would use snips. Thicker an angle grinder with a thin metal cutting disc.You can buy a stand to turn your angle grinder into a sort of chop saw as well.

 

[sirocosm]

I had one of these, which I used for metal roofing work. It has a left and right shear and takes a strip out of the middle so it does not bend the work. Mine had a cord. I remember it was fast and easy to use.

 

[novocaine]

fancy, yes, that would be a very good option for quick a reliable.

 

[Terrytpot]

Surprised no one has said jigsaw…my Dewalt does a lovely job on steel with a decent blade fitted.

 

[alphabeta279]

Great thoughts all - really helpful! Id not really tried snips - it's generally 1-3mm I'm cutting, so no particularly thick.

I've tried cheap snips in the past and they bent the metal a bit (like blunt scissors), but maybe a good pair would be the trick here....!

 

[Hornbeam]

There is a very big difference between cutting 1mm and 3mm. For 1mm a good quality set of double action snips (left or right handed) will work fine but they will not cope with 3mm. Have you thought about a bench mounted guillotine/cut off shear something like this
https://metztools.com/product/metz-tools-metal-hand-shear