Cutting steel...

[emjaybee]

I ask the ever helpful collective for some advice...

I have a little project that I am thinking of undertaking, I am keeping it under my hat somewhat as; a, don't want to look a t**t, b, it may (or may not work into a commercial venture), c, I like to keep people guessing!

What would be the best way of making an accurate, neat cut in 0.7mm painted steel without damaging the paintwork?

Answers on a postcard please (or the back of a sealed envelope, anyone remember that from TV shows?)

[jims-terrano]

I guess jumping straight in with the trusty grinder is not what you were thinking about then

[emjaybee]

I'm not going to lie, that was my first thought, but was hoping to avoid re-painting everything within a 2.5 mtr radius!!

[solarman216]

hand or air operated nibbler, if you hold your thumb and little finger out of the way then keeping the other two fingers straight then move the index finger towards your palm and back again, then turn your hand over it gives some idea as to how it works, with tape on the plate (so not to scratch the paint) it is one of the best ways to cut sheet with no heat and little or no distortion, you could also use a jig saw with metal blade but depends on what is the other side of what you need to cut, Rick

[Blocky10]

Mask the area completely and use a cutting disc in a 4.5inch grinder and try not to get too much heat into the metal.
Obviously it would be easier to answer if you told us exactly what you are doing. Oh and some photos

[emjaybee]

I didn't think about a nibbler!

Kudos on the explanation, in my 30 years of working, including 15 in heavy engineering, I have never heard anyone explain the operation of a nibbler like that!

You should write a book, "An Idiots Guide To Engineering Tools" !

Brilliant explanation

[emjaybee]

Originally Posted by Blocky10

Mask the area completely and use a cutting disc in a 4.5inch grinder and try not to get too much heat into the metal.
Obviously it would be easier to answer if you told us exactly what you are doing. Oh and some photos

Keeping it under my hat!

In reality it is unlikely to become commercially idea, but still like to keep my head down. In the unlikely event it comes off I'm sure I could do a good discount for members!

[terrano bob]

pics

[emjaybee]

There's nothing to take a picture of!

[elty001]

I use a very thin slitting disc on the angle grinder.
Cut some pre coated roofing sheets with no damage to the paint.

[solarman216]

Originally Posted by elty001

I use a very thin slitting disc on the angle grinder.
Cut some pre coated roofing sheets with no damage to the paint.

do not do curves very well though, Rick

[Lazy-Ferret]

How big a cut do you need, and what sort of shape... When I worked at the University, we used to use the punch and die, with an alan bolt through the middle.

Drill hole, put die on one side, punch on other, and then tighten bolt. Makes a nice clean cut, and you can get all sorts of sizes and shapes.

[nemofish2000]

Monodex cutter or in other words a hand operated sheet nibbler. Good for cutting out patches on sills and the like.

[rustic]

Originally Posted by emjaybee

... You should write a book, "An Idiots Guide To Engineering Tools" ...

Or a "dummies guide to Engineering tools"

Or simply "Alex's guide to Engineering Tools"
Now that would be a best seller...

Mind you, Alex has really improved since his early days, I saw a picture of his soldering iron, on the handle there was a label... "hold this end"
I think it was a health and safety label lol...

Alex has the enthusiasm that I once had... as you get older, you find easier and better ways to do a job. Or find other things to do instead...

[rustic]

Originally Posted by emjaybee

Keeping it under my hat!

In reality it is unlikely to become commercially idea, but still like to keep my head down. In the unlikely event it comes off I'm sure I could do a good discount for members!

Few clues there me thinks...
Head down, comes off, under my hat, hmm..


It's a guillotine ....