18 gauge sheet metal: what power tool to cut it?

Can't use any welders/plasma cutters/etc.

Hand held non-powered tin snips seem like a death wish, carpal tunnel style.

SO: what do you recommend as a power tool to cut 18 ga sheet metal? I'll be making floor pans and the trunk pan for a 1956 Plymouth (along with a few other needs).

I've seen power snips, am contemplating them...but wanted y'all's opinion first.

 

I have a set of power trimmers that were cheap and go through 18-ga sheet like butter. (Hard butter, but butter.) I bought them at the el cheapo discount tool store for something like $30. They are the same ones sold at most stores that handle power tools. They leave a sharp edge on the metal, though, so be careful and wear heavy gloves!

 

cut off wheel and a grinder

 

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=92115

i spent 45.00 on this and works great

 

metal cutting blade in a circular saw.

 

Electric or air shears and a nice set of wiss snips

 

I'd try to find some 20 gage metal

(damn I'm lazy)

 

I use a electric Up and down style shear.. on 18 , it works well.. and cheap.. if it breaks.. its cheap enough to buy another for the amount Ill use it..

 

Sweet. I was looking at those electric sheers at Harbor on Saturday, but wasn't sure how sturdy they were. Got the angle grinder already (for the old rusty crap in the car); looks like the sheers are a winner!

Thanks!!!

 

a lot of good recommendations. I use just about all of them at different times.

 

I have seen this demo on TV a dozen times and I am impressed with this tool. If I was still doing a lot of projects I would buy one in an instant. I don't know if its professional quality but for the home shop it does a lot of different cutting.
See it here https://www.dualsaw.com/

 

I want one now.

 

^^ I saw that on TV where the owner cut a car in half... it was cool!

Does anyone own one of these?

 

I use 'innox' discs on an angle grinder for cutting mild ,sheet or stock.These are the thin discs designed for cutting stainless.
They cost a bit more and don't last as long, but cut faster and more accurately.

 

I don't own one but I would be seriously concerned about blade replacement. I'll bet they are propritary and only one place to get them. How long will the gear box last, are the gears plastic? are they cast zinc? AsI said earlier perhaps not professional grade but if you just use it occasionally in a home shop maybe it will last. It is a great idea and maybe one of the "Real" tool makers will jump on the idea.

 

Milwaukee electric metal cutting shears around 200.00 but worth every penny even does 14 guage Heres the cheapest way Jig saw and clamp material use fine tooth blades.

 

Holy crap!!! Awesome cutting, but like another HAMBer asked, is it industrial quality, or is the gearbox a cheap piece of plastic that'll get ruined after heavy use? As it is, I want one for small projects, seeing as I don't do much cutting/fabricating anyway

 

grinder and 41/2 inch dewalt cut off wheel
works good wear eye protection

 

I second that! by brand name blades and they work great.

 

I use a Makita elecrtic nibbler,,they are not cheap but do they save a lotta time and cut clean! HRP

 

Killer beat me to it. You can cut up to 1/4'' with this blade . Sold at Lowes ect.

 

I use a saber saw with a metal cutting blade.. works great!

 

Thats just like the one I use.. except mine is a 69.99 cheaper version.. and it works well for the money.. Makitas make a good tool though.. well worth the money if your going to use one lots..

 

There are many good ways, nibblers, saw , etc. Most everybody has a sabre saw. Use fine brand-name blades, and cut with a piece of wood underneath. !/4 " wood is enough. That will cut down on the burrs and distortion..........

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=98833
These work pretty good for the money.

 

the nibblers save time and bandaids! 4.5" grinder w/cuttoff disc is hard to beat when your on a budget.

 

Beverly Throatless Shear B-1 Get one you wont regret it!

 

i use a cut off but i'd like to try shears with 4x8x1"styrofoam underneath....should have good controll for larger pieces...let us know how you make out....

 

Shears are way easier to use than a saber saw or jigsaw with sheets, because saws tend to grab the metal and vibrate it up and down really fast. It's fun to listen to, but a pain in the butt to deal with.
And any kind of circular saw is a bad idea because you can really only make perfectly straight cuts and they leave a seriously dangerous edge on teh metal.
Nibblers leave sharp little pieces of metal all over the floor that WILL get caught in your shoe and WILL cut the linoleum in your kitchen.
Stick with the Harbor Freight shears for starters. You can always get other tools later. (With 18ga it's a good idea to have someone help you - they can pull the tab of metal up and away while you cut which makes it much easier and faster.)

 

That photo is a Mikita unishear, don't want to confuse anybody...