Cutting Corners

Post by **webbnuts** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:40 pm

Hi All.

Today I had to shape a plate of metal to fit round a corner - the wheel arch. The only way I could cut the shape was to hack bits out and then smooth the curve with a flap disc.

Is there a tool I could buy or a technique I dont know about that will help me cut curves in steel?

Thanks for any advice!

Webbnuts.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:57 pm

You would need to 'wheel' it!

http://www.mphmotorpanels.com/Wheeling.htm

Post by **paulk** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 9:16 pm

Depending on the curve radius and metal thickness you can get curved tin snips. I use them a lot but always on aluminium to be fair.

A powered option are shears.
http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/det ... duct=64841

or Nibblers
http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/det ... uct=107602

Both are effective but v noisy and not a great finish on the cut. You still need to grind/sand back.

Post by **Alec** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:56 pm

Hello Webbnuts,

if you are talking single plane then the best way depends on the radius. Smaller radii can be done with hole saws (very useful for all sorts of jobs) or if larger a jigsaw does a good job, neater than most other methods. Relatively large radii can be cut with aviation shears.

Alec

Post by **AndySSS** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 8:29 pm

The best thing for cutting curves in sheet steel are aviation shears but you need three sets one for cutting to the right, one for cutting to the left and one for straight cutting. Snap-on make realy good ones but there are some good cheaper ones about. once you have used them you will never go back to tinsnips.