Today we want to turn to a topic that occupies us every day in our production. You want to cut metal without making mistakes? We have summarised all the important facts for you. You will learn from us which tools for cutting metal exist.
You will get a simple step-by-step guide to work from. But we will also inform you about the risks associated with cutting steel. We want to put you in a position to make an informed decision: do you want to cut metal yourself, or do you decide to have metal cut? If you are looking for a reliable partner for that, our offer will certainly interest you.
How can metals be cut?
Since the various metals differ in their properties, and the sheets you want to work with can also be very different, there is no universal method for cutting metal. What essentially matters is the material thickness of the workpiece to be cut. As a rule: the thicker the workpiece, the more powerful the tool must be.
If you want to cut thin sheets, such as stainless steel sheets 2 mm or 3 mm thick, simple tin snips can be used. In application, they are no different from household or paper scissors - although it takes some skill to obtain a straight cutting edge.
For sturdier sheets, you can use a hacksaw. Here too, handling is relatively easy, as you have surely sawn wood before. When cutting steel with a hacksaw, however, do not expect to make rapid progress: numerous sawing strokes are needed before you have completed the desired cut. For an optimum result, always allow yourself enough time.
Because it would take too long with a hacksaw, from a material thickness of 8 mm you should switch to an electrically powered tool. Private individuals and tradespeople prefer an angle grinder for this. Make sure that a cutting disc for metal is mounted and that it is not yet too worn.
When cutting metal with an angle grinder, you also need safety goggles, because there will definitely be flying sparks - which make it harder to achieve a straight line of cut.
Another process, used primarily by professionals, is laser cutting. Here, the cut is made by a focused laser beam that generates very high heat. Very exact cuts are possible with this process, but the purchase costs are also very high.
Which metals can be cut?
All common metals can be cut with the processes mentioned above. There is a small selection of special metals that cannot be cut with the usual tools, but you will probably never come into contact with them.
Care should be taken when selecting the tool for cutting metal - especially if you want to cut stainless steel. In that case, you must never use tin snips, a saw blade or a cutting disc that has previously been used to cut ordinary steel. Otherwise you risk corrosion on your stainless steel workpiece through contact with steel particles.
A guide in 3 steps
The process of cutting metal can be summarised in three essential steps, to be worked through one after the other. Each step is equally important for success.
Step 1: Marking and preparation
Mark the cutting edge cleanly and take into account the kerf width of the tool you are using. If necessary, you can also clean the surface before starting the preparations.
A tip from experienced tradespeople: try out your cutting tool on a piece of scrap sheet before starting the actual cut.
Step 2: Preparing the workplace
You should also prepare your workplace for cutting metal. It is important that the workpiece rests securely - it must not move under any circumstances. The area where you want to cut must be easily accessible.
Also make sure you do not scratch the sheet: the supporting surface should always be absolutely clean.
Step 3: Cutting and deburring
Use the tool you have chosen and make the cut. Always work at a pace that suits you. Keep the risk of injury in mind while cutting and proceed accordingly carefully.
After cutting, you must attend to the cut edges: they absolutely must be deburred before further processing.
As already mentioned, there is a latent risk of injuring yourself on the sharp edges of a sheet. The heat generated when sawing or grinding should also never be underestimated. Since you probably have little or no experience in cutting metals, you should not underestimate the risk of an unusable result either. Given the cost of a new sheet, which you would then have to cut again, you should also consider the alternative: having the metal cut. Especially if you would first have to buy the right tools anyway.
The alternative: have metal cut to size online
If you are looking for a fast, reliable provider of cut metal, feel free to turn to us. We have specialised in processing stainless steel sheets to our customers' specifications. A millimetre-precise cut to your specifications is guaranteed by us - even for complex shapes.
You can also commission forming or surface treatment for your made-to-measure sheets from us. Here too, we have machines that guarantee a perfect product. If our offer interests you, call our sales team without obligation. In addition to free advice on the various metals we stock, you will also be quoted an individually calculated price on the spot. In the vast majority of cases, we need just 48 hours for production, so a sheet made to your specifications arrives at your home within a few days.
+49 3921 72-0