Learning how to cut metal roofing with circular saw is not as difficult as it may seem.
Given the popularity of metal roofing, you may think about upgrading your current roof, but how difficult is it to realize this project? The reality is that a metal roof is more difficult to define than a classic metal roof, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it in any way.
To simplify this plan a little with my own hands, I will tell you how to cut a metal roof, and, in addition, I will give a number of other recommendations that you should understand when installing your metal roofing. Let’s get started!
Materials and Tools You’ll Need to Get the Job Done
You will certainly want to first pick up, as well as get or, among other things, dismantle the optimal devices, instead of starting to install a metal roof measurements. Today, a trip to an economical shopping center is by no means a joy, especially if you are at the apogee of the cut metal roofing plan.
To help, check out the list of absolutely all the devices and materials used that you may need: you will not be able to use them all without exception, but all of them have every chance of being needed due to the type of metal roofing you are working with.
By the way, what metal pattern did you choose? Leave us a comment below the post!
Angle Grinder
The angle grinder, together with the breaking range according to the alloy, stimulates the cutting procedure of iron elements, especially if you have a ton of angle grinder.
This angle grinder is able to instantly and freely provide an opportunity for you to separate a number of parts of the cut metal roofing without the need to use a wrist device.
The angle grinder for metal dust is also advisable when cutting dozens of other used materials, such as bolts, frame, fences, steel and other alloys — the presence of such a device in housing can be very by the way.
Band Saw
Band saw equipment is one of the main components of metalworking production and manufacture of metal for multiple sheets structures, one of the fastest, most accurate and economical ways of cutting a significant amount of rolled products of continuous and variable cross-section.
An important role in this is played by the characteristics of the band saw, its pitch, wiring, durability, and other parameters.
Circular Saw
You can also use a circular saw with adjustable clamps, which can be especially useful when cutting much larger pieces of metal tile or when carefully making longer cuts.
Circular saws for specialty cuts (commonly referred to as a circular saw), or circular saw is a tool for making direct cuts of wood, soft aluminum or metal or metal panels copper, as well as various chipboard materials by rotating a circular disk with a cutting tool working edge. This tool is used in construction and repair, and is also suitable for the manufacture of furniture made of plywood, fiberboard, chipboard, etc.
Metal Air Shears
Pneumatic metal power shears several tools are a well-known pneumatic tool with a small weight and size with which it is easy to cut or make holes in metal sheets or plastic products/metal panels, separate cables and cables. Thanks to all the tools, especially separate tool, it works productively, simply and comfortably.
The process of power shears for roofing sheets are based on the operation of compressed air. By pressing, the master independently has the ability to cut any sheet material.
All power shears are equipped with a punch, with its help reciprocating movements are made for high-quality metal cutting blade for straight line.
Metal Roofing Materials and Permanent Marker
Before starting work, you need to have all your metal roofing materials on hand. A professional contractor or someone from a metal roof/metal panels manufacturer will be able to help you order it. You will need to know the dimensions of your roof and use math to determine how many parts you will need.
Note:
Order a little more than you need by rounding up. You may find that this small amount is useful in case of a mistake or problematic cut.
Power Drill
Electrical equipment maintenance specialists claim that the electric drill with pilot hole is the most popular tool. Today it is almost impossible to find a person who has never heard of her. Many home craftsmen use a drill not only for electric shears, but also as a mixer for mixing paint or mortar during repairs. But we will tell you about the device of the most ordinary electric drill and the purpose of its main components.
The principle of operation is quite simple: by pressing the start button, the user gives the current access to the brushes of the cordless drill for straight line, which spin the motor rotor to the revolutions necessary for operation.
The torque is transmitted through the spindle to the gearbox — it ensures the rotation of the chuck with a drill bit clamped in a special device with stable surface. As a result of this interaction, drilling of various materials is carried out.
Saw Horse or Work Bench
Cutting metal roofing with vent pipe anywhere, except for a reliable table or a sawhorse, is a big mistake. If you don’t have one yet, it’s important to get at least a sawhorse or a workbench heavy enough to stay in place while you’re single cutting shears parts for roofing material.
Your workspace is the first step to providing a safe and organized environment for cutting sheet metal.
Tarps
Tarps will become your best friend. When cutting metal roofing, many small pieces can fall to the ground that cleaning will become a nightmare. Lay the tarps first, especially if you work in the yard, it can catch every piece that falls, ensuring that no one steps on a sharp shard.
Tin Snips
From the tin snips it becomes clear for what purposes the devices in question are intended. Like conventional tin snips, metal pieces cutting devices for straight lines are designed only for working with sheet materials. Tin snips for roofing material are impossible to cut pipes, corners and profiles with metal devices, since they are not designed for your DIY project, and simply will not cope with this task.
The tin snips are designed for cutting metal up to one and a half millimeters thick and trimming edges. Tin snips for thicker metal pieces have a sharp steel blade and allow you to make cuts easily and quickly.
The tin snips with tape measure are most often equipped with a steel blade. There are less durable models — made of alloyed material or tool. The latter option significantly reduces the price of the tin snips power tool.
Safety Tips for Cutting Metal
Working with metal panel can be dangerous, so you should follow proper safety protocols and wear the right equipment to keep yourself safe. In addition to some semblance of experience and good technique, it is worth purchasing the equipment listed below.
Puncture-Resistant Gloves
Construction gloves for safety measures and mittens help protect the skin of the hands from negative mechanical, thermal and chemical effects during work. Protective gloves a large number of varieties of gloves and mittens on the market. They differ in the material of manufacture and purpose.
Let’s consider how to choose gloves for construction work for combination square, their types and main characteristics. Type kevlar gloves into Аmazon and check out the results. You may already have something similar.
Safety Glasses
When cutting metal, a lot of tiny fragments are formed, which can easily get into the eyes. Wearing safety goggles when working with roofing sheets will help protect your eyesight.
Ear Protection
The sound of metal panel being straight cuts can be incredibly loud, and over time, this noise can lead to hearing loss if you don’t wear some form of ear protection.
Long Sleeves Shirt and Pants
Metal shavings can easily fly up when you’re in cutting process, so covering your skin is a good way to prevent any cuts or scrapes from happening.
Hard Hat
A hard hat may not seem like the most crucial piece of gear, but it can help prevent head injuries if a large piece of corrugated metal falls from the roof during installation. It can also give added protection to your eyes while straight cuts a few different tools.
How to Cut Metal Roofing Step-by-Step
Now, if you are ready, we can switch to the most fascinating: how to cut metal tiles competently.
The way in which metal roofing is cut depends largely on the type of roofing. Here are listed some of the most common types:
- metal shingles,
- standing seam,
- stone coated steel,
- aluminum,
- tin,
- corrugated metal.
Despite in this case, the fact that there are many types of metal roofing, we can use such operations according to absolutely all trends, as well as in the targets of the instruction, I will provide instructions for you according to the cutting line with minimal distortion of the seam iron roof.
Step 1: Determine how many panels you’ll need for your metal roofs
Assemble them in a place where they can be easily cut and folded for installation. This guide will help you properly measure your roof to determine how many metal panels you will need, as well as what sizes they should be.
You can also find something useful for yourself in these two posts: How to install metal roofing over plywood: Step-by-step diy guide and How to install metal roofing over shingles: Advantages and options. Mindful savings is something we all need.
Step 2: Mark guidelines on your metal sheets for where to cut
Since metal roofing tile is an unforgivable material, it is important to have accurate measurements and marks. Using a straight edge, draw the guides on the metal to indicate where you will make the incisions.
Step 3: Getting started with a circular saw
After you’ve taken all the precise measurements and marked your metal panels (at least the first few), it’s time to put on protective gear. When you cut metal roofing with safety gear, shavings and pieces of sheet metal roofing panels everywhere, so you need to cover your skin and eyes.
When using a circular saws to cut metal sheet, make sure that the open side of the jar is facing down to prevent damage to the sheet. The saw blade should be abrasive or pointed and have a size of about 18 cm. Before buying or installing the blade on a circular, check the label to make sure it fits properly.
After you have secured the blade, carefully place it on the cutting edge you have marked. It is recommended to approach the slice at a right angle, because you only have one chance to make a clean slice, and you should take this into account. To ensure accuracy, move the saw slowly, applying minimal pressure to it.
For a beginner:
An angle grinder is a good alternative to a circular.
Step 4: Start cutting
For the purpose of cutting metal roofing sheets the alloy, it is possible to use a number of different devices, any with its own method or an impeccable scenario. What about table saw? This is a universal tool for the precise cutting of various materials.
Tin snips
Tin snips with tape measure for the purpose of cutting metal roofing tin is an easy method to make small incisions manually. Tin snips for the purpose of rough tinplate cut the alloy, as well as tin snips cut paper, however, without exception, it is also important to be diligent and also slow, in order to exclude errors.
Power shears
For the purpose of the most rapid and also less wrist method, use normal scissors. Machine scissors are similar to a tool together with scissors at the end. You will also be able to get attachments in order to transform your electric drill with pilot hole into pneumatic scissors standing seam, but in each case, this method of double cut shears will free you from convulsions in your paws!
Circular saw or nibbler
If you want to separate a number of sheets at the same time, or simply make rapid direct cuts, an atrial sipped or a cigarette perfectly fits. The circular sipped along with weightlessness will cut through a row of metal roof panels. And if you need more significant control, a nibbler creates small incisions in the alloy, so that you have the opportunity to suspend and also make the most special incisions.
Speaking of nibbler, I wanted to post a picture of Lord Nibbler from Futurama, but had to put an image of nibbler from Makita (sigh).
Nibbler:
I can do more than talk. I can pontificate!
Step 5: Cut out spots for pipe boots and vents
You will need places for your pipe shoes and vents where they fit snugly against the metal sheathing. This can be done by circling a circle or square that you need to cut, and then making a control hole in the center metal roofs.
Using a drill bit, you can make a small hole as a starting point for your scissors. Then you can easily cut as you see fit, making sure you are cutting to the perfect size for metal roofs. You may want to digress a bit at this point: The Ultimate Guide to Roof Scuppers: What Is a Roof Scupper.
Step 6: You’re ready to install!
Now that you have cut metal roofing out all the details, you are ready for installation. Check out other metal panel cutting tips below.
Conclusion: How to Cut Metal Roofing with Circular Saw
Bottom line, if you think that metal roofing installation is a bit beyond your capabilities, then trust the experts. There are probably companies in your location that specialize in roofing. Either way, you will now have a better understanding of the technology of the process.
But still I hope you do it yourself! Just in case, let me also advise you to watch a video of the most common mistakes that happen in DIY projects. Here it is by @RoofingIntelligence: