A Guide to Cutting Metal

Cutting metal is dependent upon a number of features at play. You must take into consideration the size and amount of stock that needs to be cut as well as the type of metal that is to be cut. Metal that is particularly thin can be cut simply by taking an average utility knife and using it to score the cutting line enough times to break apart the metal surface. For other types of cutting of metal that need to be accomplished, you have at your disposal a number of options.

Nibbler
No, not Leela's little dark-matter-producing alien pet from Futurama. A nibbler is a tool that allows you to adjust the angle as well as the clearance necessary for cutting out a punch an die. The key to nibbling a piece of metal successfully is to provide an even amount of pressure for guidance while keeping the shaft of the tool at an angle that is perpendicular to the surface. Safety considerations in cutting metal with a nibbler is mainly related to protection of your eyes with a pair of goggles.

Snips
Wear a pair of heavy work gloves when using a pair of snips. The protective gloves allow you to take hold of the piece of metal with one hand. Position the snips at a slight angle above the surface of the metal. A key component in using snips to cut metal is that you refrain from closing the blades of the snips completely.

Hacksaw
A hacksaw blade works best for cutting metal if you have a minimum of three teeth coming into contact with the metal surface. Take hold of the hacksaw at both ends and cut on the forward stroke. Complete the cut by rotating round stock.

Cold Chisel
Cutting metal with a cold chisel take you into the land of ancient centuries as the nifty little tool known as a cold chisel was a basic tool of metalworkers throughout millennia. Take hold of the chisel loosely in your grip and tilt it. Take hold of a mallet or ball-peen hammer and strike it against the chisel to slice right through the metal with the blade of the cold chisel.

Miter Box
Metal work can draft a miter box into service for cutting metal. You can use the miter box to cut soft metals to an angle. Clamp the metal inside the miter box and make sure to use a metal-cutting blade. If you don't have a metal-cutting blade, the hacksaw will come in handier than using a blade that is not designed for cutting metal.