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Metal working tools - photobug - 02-17-2018

I know this is a wood site but fairly often I need to work some metal as part of the woodworking project.  Currently I am installing dust collector and have a few tools.  I was trying to cut an already put together 6" duct.  I was using aviation snips to cut the pipe before it was put together.  To cut the built up duct I went to my pancake compressor and a cheap HF rotating cut-off tool and cheap HF wheel.  It was taking forever to get done with the compressor unable to keep up with the tool.  Eventually I broke out the jig saw and it cut right through the remainder very quickly although not very cleanly.

I know the major issue is the compressors lack of ability to keep up with the tool.  I do have a bigger compressor but it is cumbersome and not installed as needed to work, it will be some day.  Is the quality of the HF tool and or abrasive a contributing factor?

Also what tools come in handy for working with metal duct?  I have aviation snips and a crimper.  I have managed to get this far without bleeding but I think only because I have been lucky so far.

RE: Metal working tools - BloomingtonMike - 02-17-2018

(02-17-2018, 08:04 PM)photobug Wrote: I know this is a wood site but fairly often I need to work some metal as part of the woodworking project.  Currently I am installing dust collector and have a few tools.  I was trying to cut an already put together 6" duct.  I was using aviation snips to cut the pipe before it was put together.  To cut the built up duct I went to my pancake compressor and a cheap HF rotating cut-off tool and cheap HF wheel.  It was taking forever to get done with the compressor unable to keep up with the tool.  Eventually I broke out the jig saw and it cut right through the remainder very quickly although not very cleanly.

I know the major issue is the compressors lack of ability to keep up with the tool.  I do have a bigger compressor but it is cumbersome and not installed as needed to work, it will be some day.  Is the quality of the HF tool and or abrasive a contributing factor?

Also what tools come in handy for working with metal duct?  I have aviation snips and a crimper.  I have managed to get this far without bleeding but I think only because I have been lucky so far.

Your compressor does not have the required CFM I am guessing for most pneumatic tools beyond a brad nailer. Get the larger compressor in order. Plumb it throughout the shop.

Once the compressor is up to date, try a pneumatic Nibbler. Man it makes short work of cutting through sheet metal. It will make a mess though so when cutting through sheetmetal steel keep a large magnet buy and it will catch the little moon shape pieces of metal chaff.

Also an air saw is a dream to use as well.

RE: Metal working tools - daddo - 02-18-2018

I use a duct knife and hammer to pierce the metal and put a slot in it, then use the "offset" snips to cut it.


[Image: amcraft_8001_article_1385395250491_en_no...88&hei=188]
[Image: wiss-snips-sidecutters-m6r-64_1000.jpg]

RE: Metal working tools - photobug - 02-18-2018

(02-17-2018, 11:10 PM)BloomingtonMike Wrote: Get the larger compressor in order. Plumb it throughout the shop.
That was the plan.  I have a two tank wheeled construction site caliber compressor.  I wired a 220 circuit for it into the crawl space for and pulled the compressor down there.  Once the dust collector is installed the pneumatic system is next.
(02-17-2018, 11:10 PM)BloomingtonMike Wrote: Once the compressor is up to date, try a pneumatic Nibbler. 
Also an air saw is a dream to use as well.

I also have a cheap HF air saw, I tried on a previous project.  Will try that out when bigger compressor is online.

RE: Metal working tools - photobug - 02-18-2018

(02-18-2018, 12:54 AM)daddo Wrote: I use a duct knife and hammer to pierce the metal and put a slot in it, then use the "offset" snips to cut it.

Duct knife on my shopping list.  Thanks

RE: Metal working tools - barryvabeach - 02-18-2018

I had some metal cutting to do as well, and bought a nice set of offset snips.  The better ones will tell you right on the cardboard description the max gauge they can cut.

RE: Metal working tools - Mike in kc - 02-19-2018

[Image: P1070002-L.jpg]

Some of my HF air tools are close to 40 years old, those were my first experiences with air tools, and HF for that matter.   Their air tools are a great buy.

You need a compressor with at least 10 CFM capability or more if you can swing it, and at least a 60 gallon tank.   Verticals don't take up  much room and that size compressor is an oil bath type so its fairly quiet.

The little saw the OP mentioned is what I used to cut sheet metal car panels and pieces years ago.  

Just make it a habit to add 5 drops of air oil into the tool's air nipple each time you pull it out of the drawer, and NEVER USE AND IN LINE OILER, they make one hell of a mess, and, you can't ever use the system for painting.

RE: Metal working tools - Stwood_ - 02-22-2018

If you can't get your bigger compressor up and running for that air cutter, go to HF and get a $15.00 4" electric grinder and a package of abrasive cutoff blades for it. Being electric, you won't run out of air. 
Winkgrin

And, I think that grinder comes with a 4" grinding wheel.

RE: Metal working tools - Arlin Eastman - 02-22-2018

(02-17-2018, 08:04 PM)photobug Wrote: I know this is a wood site but fairly often I need to work some metal as part of the woodworking project.  Currently I am installing dust collector and have a few tools.  I was trying to cut an already put together 6" duct.  I was using aviation snips to cut the pipe before it was put together.  To cut the built up duct I went to my pancake compressor and a cheap HF rotating cut-off tool and cheap HF wheel.  It was taking forever to get done with the compressor unable to keep up with the tool.  Eventually I broke out the jig saw and it cut right through the remainder very quickly although not very cleanly.

I know the major issue is the compressors lack of ability to keep up with the tool.  I do have a bigger compressor but it is cumbersome and not installed as needed to work, it will be some day.  Is the quality of the HF tool and or abrasive a contributing factor?

Also what tools come in handy for working with metal duct?  I have aviation snips and a crimper.  I have managed to get this far without bleeding but I think only because I have been lucky so far.

What Mike said


Also now a days I just use power tools to cut metal like a cut off wheel on a grinder or my Drumel with a cutting wheel which does really well also.  For the Drumel they have sold a small metal wheel with teeth which is 2.5" long and it does really well to.

RE: Metal working tools - photobug - 02-22-2018

(02-22-2018, 06:52 PM)Stwood_ Wrote: If you can't get your bigger compressor up and running for that air cutter, go to HF and get a $15.00 4" electric grinder and a package of abrasive cutoff blades for it. Being electric, you won't run out of air. 
Winkgrin

And, I think that grinder comes with a 4" grinding wheel.

I have an angle grinder.  It is my second choice in the past because the cutting implement is much wider.  But I guess I can afford to lose 1/8" of metal.


(02-22-2018, 08:58 PM)Arlin Eastman Wrote: What Mike said


Also now a days I just use power tools to cut metal like a cut off wheel on a grinder or my Drumel with a cutting wheel which does really well also.  For the Drumel they have sold a small metal wheel with teeth which is 2.5" long and it does really well to.

I also use my dremel for metal but not sure if I had the patience to use it for a 6" duct.  My main problem with the dremel is how fast the metal blades wear out and the effort it takes to replace it.  Last time i had a large metal thing to cut, I promised myself to get extra mandrels for the metal cutting blades so I could have 3 blades ready to cut lined up to be able to spend more time cutting and less time swapping out blades.