A Brief Categorization of Some Common Sheet Metal Cutting Tools

Sheet metal cutting tools are indispensable for making clear concise alterations such as cuts and punches and to sheet metals like steel, aluminum, copper and other alloys. Tradesmen such as roofers rely on these tools in their repertoire to make precise, replicable cuts in sheet metals can be otherwise difficult to work with. Some of the common sheet metal cutting tools you may come across in a shop - or that you will need to work with sheet metal - are as follow:

Snips - Snips are hand powered shears that look something like heavy duty scissors. These are used for making both straight and angled cuts in sheet metal, and it is important to remember that some shears will cut a curve in one direction, but not the other way. Metal snips are sometimes called aviation snips and some of them have additional levers attached to the handles to create a mechanical advantage - these are called compound snips.

Powered Shears and Drill Shears - Some metal shears look nothing like conventional snips. Powered shears are more easier to use than hand snips and can afford you more effortless cuts. One variant of powered shears are drill shear attachments, which mount to a still and use its power to automate the shear’s cutting action.

Nibblers - Nibblers are also tools for cutting sheet metal, but their purpose is to minimize the distortion of the metal through the cut, leaving you with a smoother surface. These can be valuable tools when the finished product has low tolerances for variation in the finish of the surface.

Slitters - Slitters cut sheet metal, as do the other tools on this list. However, slitters typically work via a cutting wheel instead of two jaws. They can be used to decrease the width of rolled sheet metal coils, and some of them can be used very efficiently to make precise cuts in the raw materials being used.

Punches - Punches, broadly, “punch” a hole through sheet metal, for a variety of purposes. Some create outlets, others create notches through which fasteners can be driven. Wherever you need to open up a small, replicable hole in sheet metal, a punch is probably the tool you will turn to.

This list is neither comprehensive or exhaustive. There are other types of sheet metal cutting tools available on the internet and in specialty shops, so don’t think that just because it isn’t featured here, it isn’t important.

This is just a brief introduction to some of the more common sheet metal cutting tools, many of which you can find online at John Stortz & Son on their website, Stortz.com. Since 1853, Stortz has been providing masons, roofers and other craftsmen with the highest-quality tools-of-their-trade available.

If you need a specialty tool like a hand seamer, an outlet punch, or a brick hammer, you won’t surpass the quality of Stortz.com’s wares. Visit their website today to learn more about each of these, and if you have any questions on them, call one of their representatives at 888-847-3456.

Posted November 26, 2020 07:12