Tip For Cutting Back Metal Roofing

72chevy4x4

anyone have a tip on cutting back a distance of metal roofing-the entire length of a building. Hand snips would take a long time...I'm guesssing a cutoff wheel would work but I question the heat buildup's effect on the painted surface.

genecarp

cut off wheel, spray bottle water. pain in the ***, but the fastest way that comes to mind

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joasis

Nibbler.....like the inexpensive Hitachi.

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genecarp

will the nibbler distort the edge?

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Forry

So will a cut off blade. REALLY hard to make a long straight cut. A regular framing blade on backwards makes a straighter cut, bud leaves a NASTY edge. (I have yet to get a perfect, or even nice cut no matter what. Too damn wiggly every time.

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now i am scared for my future
i've got all ten
smashed a lot of them stupidly before
-john5mt

novicepro

I haven't done it but couldn't you use a sacrificial piece of plywood with a guide screwed on it and use a good blade on your circular saw. I don't know the depth of the roofing material but if the saw is deep enough that should work.

joasis

A nibbler with a guide will leave a straight edge, no problem. It is how we cut metal roofing panels typically....I never use abrasive blades or "metal" blades....just a nibbler.

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MBS

This baby is sweet!
http://www.mkmorse.com/

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I think I say OOPS!! out loud way to often.

dlcj

Are you cutting up the rake or across the ribs? High rib, low rib or corrigated? Joasis - what nibbler you use? I got the cheap chicago electric($29) just to see if a nibbler would work and not very happy. Cutting across high ribs especially at a angle sucks. I have the craftsman twin cutter also. It cuts 26g like butter and dont slow down for the ribs even at a angle. Only loud as hell and if i done metal more than 2-3 times a year id get something better than the craftsman. I also have a milwaukee electric shear. I works great on the straight and flat but dont like the ribs either.

joasis

I use Kett shears for cuts inline with the metal, and a nibbler, good quality, for all cuts across, including the hip and valley cuts.

http://www.toolbarn.com/product/hitachi/CN16SA/

I have been installing metal roofs for years, and have tried all the gimmicks. This works on classic panel, R panel, and full corrugated design metals.

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72chevy4x4

when you said nibbler, I envisioned the air nibbler I've used for cutting automotive panels, which aren't good for non-flat surfaces. The hitachi nibbler looks to have a deeper throat and may be able to ride up and down the bends just fine-plus if Joasis has been using it for years it must work!

thanks for the tips guys. I ended up using a 4.5" cutoff wheel and worked nice and slow off a drawn line. results were very good.

breakinwind

I just bought a circular saw blade from home depot and it was worth every penny of the $50 it cost me. It is a freud diablo 48 teth i think. My buddy said it wouldnt work and I was hesitant and prepred for the worst if chunks of metal were going to fly across the room. But that freakin thing rocks. I sliced through 5 in one shot, no problem. Its like cuting paper. i can easily cut 10, havent tried yet, but there is no resistance and no burning. definately the best way. I have tried air nibbler which is too slow, and pneumatic shears, not too bad. good luck out there.

cbfx3

I was about to recommend this.. I use them for cutting off metal doorframes. Awesome blades. The Lenox ones at lowes seem to last a little longer but are 60 bucks instead of 40. Well worth the money for these types of blades. I think it is called the "steel demon" Bear in mind there are two different ones so dont grab the wrong one. The other is for softer stuff like aluminum or plastic

larryfed123

you need A razor knife with many replacement blades.
A pair of tin snips (left and right work best, though it’s not always convenient to have both) - I use the $17 aviation snips pair from sears… lasts the longest and has 3″ blades for easier and longer cuts.
A pair of horse stands - you can get them for $20-30 at a Home-cheapo or Lawe’s. They will also be helpful at other home improvement projects.
Two 2×6x8 boards and a sheet of plywood 2×8′. You do not need a full width plywood as it will be too wide to fit on horse stands. Place plywood onto the horse stands and the 2×6’s on top of it, somewhere in the middle. You can leave an inch gap between the boards and screw them to the plywood so they do not move.
You may also want to get a 16″ **** metal bender from Grainger, for about $25, if you need to make a straight line bend.
method:-
Place your panels on the horse stands with plywood / 2×6 boars already in place. This will give you a stable work surface to cut your metal roofing panels.
I usually mark my panels with a carpenter’s pencil, draw a straight line in the pan, over a painted side. I do this because once you cut a straight line grove in a metal roof panels, you will have bend it, until it brakes, and if you cut the painted side, the locks will not be in a way when you bend the panel.
Cut the locks with snips and using a sharp razor knife, make a “cut” along the line. Be very careful when cutting with a knife, as not to cut yourself (I recommend wearing leather work gloves, as they are very tough and difficult to cut through), and also to keep your cut straight. Than just bend panel back and forth, until is snaps. This is the fastest method for me, and gives the cleanest cut, without cutting your hands. I use this for both straight and angled cuts.
Also I usually place a couple of 2×6s on the horse stands, turn panel so that painted side faces up and 2×6’s are between the locks. This is the easiest way to cut the pan with razor knife.
Razor knife works best on aluminum, but will also cut into steel. Just make sure it’s sharp. If mine gets dull, I brake off a little piece off the tip of a blade and its sharp again an lasts longer.
please refer to some expert before doing it as it is reference of my friend

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wmallock

do not use skill saw it heats up the metal to much and void most manufactureer warranties as to most cutting wheels a set of electric shears is your best bet.

a zip wheel works very well and doesn't seem to heat up the metal if you keeep on the move

john_opwin

It's really a problem a you are saying but you should take a permanent paint to paint your roof that is why it can not be affected by sun light and other ultra violet rays.