Re: how to cut 16 gauge sheet metal
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 8:48 pm
Ideally you want at least 2-3 teeth to be in contact with the metal at all times. Choose a tooth count to match your metal thickness.
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Done correctly...there is no warpage with plasma. That is usually caused by cutting too slow, or with too much power. Waterjet will produce the best cut and metallurgy, however is the slowest process. Plasma is acceptable for most applications and is the lowest cost per foot of cut. Jim Colt HyperthermHomemade wrote:Plasma... why stop there? Go straight to water jet. No warpage.
i was being sarcastic. But sometimes it’s hard to tell in type form.jimcolt wrote:Done correctly...there is no warpage with plasma. That is usually caused by cutting too slow, or with too much power. Waterjet will produce the best cut and metallurgy, however is the slowest process. Plasma is acceptable for most applications and is the lowest cost per foot of cut. Jim Colt HyperthermHomemade wrote:Plasma... why stop there? Go straight to water jet. No warpage.
burnttoast wrote:Hello all, wondering if anyone can help. I'm doing a small artsy project and need advice on how to cut out a cat silhouette
that measures just 4x5 inches. as per the title, the gauge is 16. I can use my angle grinder to remove the large pieces of metal that I don't need, but what can I do to get closer without cutting my fingers off. thanks
metalman21 wrote:This is a reasonable way to get it done. Use some 2" rigid foam insulation board under the metal on the bench to back it up so you don't have to hang the blade off the edge of the bench. Just make sure the blade isn't too long and stays within the thickness of the foam. I keep some foam panels around for doing this when it's my only option. Works with the router also.clavius wrote:If you only have one (or a few) to do a decent variable speed jig saw with a fine metal cutting blade will make reasonably quick work of it. You can cut pretty tight curves with it. Just support the work well, take your time and wear hearing protection as the sound is quite obnoxious.
If you don't own one already something suitable is reasonably affordable and has lots of other uses.
When the foam gets beat up, toss it out, doesn't cost much.
I have always wondered how well those things work. I know the real (read: expensive) nibblers work well, but have never seen one of those sub-$30 ones in person. I always guessed the 16ga rating sounded optimistic. I'm impressed that it actually worked for that at all. The stuff you see them cutting in the on-line ads and such looks to always be way thinner than 16.Desert Rider wrote: I bought one of the el-cheapo drill driven nibblers (Walmart’s website) and it will do 16 gauge... .072 or 1.8 mm. I think I paid $25 or $35 bucks for the thing... did what I needed, but it’s not as easy as they show on TV in their ad.