How to cut a metal tile - scissors and tools for cutting
The use of metal is considered a practical, durable and aesthetic way to block the roof of a modern townhouse, country house or country cottage, one of the advantages of which is the ease of installation with your own hands. However, the manufacturers of this roofing material do not get tired of reminding that it will serve for a long time and reliably only if they follow the rules of processing and installation. Therefore, for inexperienced craftsmen who have taken on this work, the question arises as to how to cut metal roofing so as not to damage it. In this article we will talk about the tools that are recommended for use in the processing of metal profiles.
Material Features
The metal tile is a profiled sheet of galvanized steel, which is coated with a polymer coating that protects the material from rust and mechanical damage. The polymers used for the production of roofing (Pural, Plastizol, Polyester), have a fairly low melting point, so the use of abrasive tools for cutting metal is not recommended. The use of such devices causes the following consequences:
- When a grinding disc is operated at high speed, the polymer coating melts along the edges of the cut, as a result of which “bare spots” of the unprotected metal are formed on the surface of the metal tile.
- When cutting metal tiles with an abrasive tool at high speeds, the edges of the cut heats up to a considerable temperature, due to which the properties of the steel change to the worst, the zinc layer melts.
- After 1-2 years of operation, the places where the polymer and zinc layer were damaged due to the use of an abrasive cutting tool become corrosion centers that irreversibly destroy the material structure.
Note! It is allowed to process, cut and install metal roofing only by cold methods, that is, you cannot use welding or grinders. It is better to order sheets of the required size than to cut metal roofing with abrasive tools, since after their use the factory roof cover warranty is removed.
Valid methods
Manufacturers of metal cut material on sheets of arbitrary length in the range of 0.4-8 m, so it is more convenient to order material that corresponds to the size of the roof slope. This will save the developer money, due to the lack of horizontal overlaps, as well as reduce the time of work, as it is difficult and time to cut sheets with your own hands. Inexperienced builders often do not know how to cut a metal tile due to its wavy profile. The following tools are suitable for this:
- Hacksaw for metal. This is the most affordable tool with which you can cut sheets of metal profiles. However, you need a special workbench. In addition, the hacksaw is suitable only for the manufacture of straight cuts.
- Cutting scissors. Special punching shears for metal cutting can be a separate tool or a nozzle for an electric drill. The use of such scissors can significantly simplify and speed up the cutting process. In the absence of alternatives, suitable and manual roofing scissors for metal.
- Power saw A circular saw with a hard-alloy disk, the teeth of which are bent back, can cope with the metal tile, but it can not be damaged. The disadvantage of this method is that the cut may be jagged, torn.
- Jigsaw. Figured, curved cutting of metal tiles is performed using an electric jigsaw with a metal file. The process of making a cut with this tool is not fast, but it copes with the complex relief of the material.
Important! Edges left after sawing metal sheets without a polymer coating become susceptible to corrosion, so they must be coated with a protective varnish or paint. A laying of the material produced so that the cut was under the overlap of the top sheet and did not come into contact with moisture.
Types of scissors scissors
The metal tile has a complex surface relief, because of which it is extremely problematic to cut sheets with ordinary metal scissors. They have a universal purpose, equally well cope with the manufacture of straight or curved cuts. The maneuverability of the tool depends on the length of the die holder. Electric scissors for cutting metal can be of 3 types:
- Headed. The mechanism of action of this tool is simple - each turn of the punch cuts a piece in a sheet of metal. They are used for processing metal tiles, profiled sheet, pipes, welded structures. Cutting shears can cut the sheet from the edge to the middle, and in the opposite direction, if you make a hole at the starting point with a drill.
- Knife Scissors of knife type have 2 single-blade knives between which put a sheet of metal tile. One blade is movable, and the second one is fixed, therefore there is no waste when working with them. The disadvantage of this tool is the inability to make cuts with steep turns, it is possible to start cutting the sheet only from the edge.
- Splined. This tool is supplied with an open-type cutting head, therefore suitable for processing even very durable material. The cut, made with the help of slotted shears, is of high quality, with a smooth edge without warps.
Experienced craftsmen recommend, before cutting the metal, to practice on the remains of the material to perform an accurate and even cut. In addition, you only need to use the tools recommended by the manufacturer.
Video instruction