How to cut galvanized tin siding?
Question:I know about tin snips but could I use a jigsaw with a blade for metal? I only have about 5 sheets to cut and around a window for an outbuilding.
Answers:
Yeah, you can, but it's dangerous if you're not used to it. Also, more dangerous but faster is a metal cutting blade on a skillsaw.
Be VERY careful, use ALL the safety gear - Gloves, face shield, earmuffs, sturdy clothes and shoes - this stuff can cut you right in half and leave you on the ground for the neighbors to find.
A fine tooth circular saw blade will work, one for plywood.
If it is aleady in place you can use a sawzall with a metal cutting blade.
If was you l'd use your smile to get some lumbering idiot to do it for you. Galvanized is pretty tough stuff. might consier a rotary grinder.
You can cut it with a fine-toothed jig saw, but it is a bit dicey if you don't have a lot of experience with the material. Use the snips. That's what we always used when I did siding professionally and we never had problems except for gashes on our collective thumbs because we didn't use gloves.
Pay attention to the safety recommendations.
Stabilize the material to be cut on a firm surface.
Cut from the back side, use a fine file to remove any burrs.
Lubricate the blade with bee's wax.
If you use a skilsaw, a hollow-ground blade is specific for this purpose.
If it is flat sheet galvanized iron or you may call it tin if you like.
Yes you can use a jigsaw as I have used them to even cut steal paneling on a car.
If your sheeting is corrugated then you may have to follow the surface by tilting back and forth as you cut.
The other way is to rip the iron if it is corrugated by leaving the first cut sheet on top of the one you are going to rip.
It works the same principle as a guillotine.
By the time you get all these blokie handyman advising you, then you should be able to write a book about it. So have fun doing your little maintenance job.
if you are cutting the siding on the building, the jig saw with a fine blade(more teeth per inch), or sawzall would be the way to go. if you have removed the siding and are working on a flat surface on some saw horses, you can use a circular saw fitted with a hollow ground (thin kerf) plywood blade, mounted backwards in the saw. the cut the saw will make with the blade will be smoother, but the blade won't be good for much else when you are done with it. also, to get straight cuts, use a speed square to guide the saw base, as you make your cuts. good luck, hope this helps.
Probably large tine snips will work the best. However you could use a jig saw with a metal blade. One thing you want to keep in mind is once you start cutting the siding with a saw it could want to bend and twist a little. What you want to do is have someone hold the opposite end that you are cutting to avoid this action. This way you will not have any type of dents or crinkles in it.
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