Cut Sheet Metal Without Bending

If you use metal shears to cut thin sheet metal such as duct metal it curls and can be difficult to flaten properly.

Cut sheet metal without bending.

Most frequently expensive sheet metal bending tools called brakes are used to bend sheet metal but you can also complete this task without one. Bending sheet metal by hand is a manageable task if the piece of sheet metal is small and thin enough to handle. To define the bend region and reduce the force required to bend a part out of sheet metal down to something you can handle without a brake press slots can be cut at the bending line to. When set to a low amperage a plasma torch won t warp the metal and can yield quick clean cuts that help you get the job done quickly.

These photo steps show that it can be done using a utility knife. To cut straight lines use an electric saw. When working with sheet metal one particularly useful piece of equipment is the brake. But the discs wear down quickly cut slowly and shrink in diameter as you use them.

A brake is a device that allows you to bend a piece of sheet metal at a particular angle. The method you choose to cut sheet metal depends on the thickness of the metal and the type of cut you plan to make. Instead we recommend using a diamond blade that s rated to cut ferrous metal. The illustrations are for a small bracket but i have cut 3 foot.

Start by taping both sides of the sheet metal directly over the line you want to cut and clamp the metal to a work station so it doesn t move. How to cut thin sheet metal and keep it flat. Metal shops have brakes mounted at different angles with automated braking arms however it is possible to bend sheet metal at home without the use of a brake.