How to Slit Metal
There are a variety of reasons metal may need to be cut or slit, and doing so at home is simple with the right tools and techniques. There are a variety of pressures and tools that must be applied for each thickness and kind of metal, and doing so properly is important to prevent injury to yourself and damage to the metal you are working with.
Things You'll Need
- Metal cutters
- Hacksaw or bandsaw
- Diagonal wire cutter, or dikes
- Steel grinder, with fresh wheel
- File
Instructions
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Cut thin sheets of metal, up to 1/4-inch thick, with designated sheet metal cutters. Ensure that you are wearing gloves for a firm grip without cutting your hands while cutting the metal. This technique allows for a variety of shapes to be cut easily by hand.
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2
Trim the end of metal bolts or rods using a hacksaw or a bandsaw blade. Place the blade on the top of the bolt where you desire to cut it and slowly run the saw back and forth to cut cleanly through.
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3
Trim thin or thick wire with dikes, ensuring that you hold them perpendicular to the wire as it is being cut.
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4
Grind hardened steel to cut or reshape the metal. Ensure fresh grinding pieces for every piece cut.
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5
File thick pieces of metal to cut only using the sharp end of the file, rubbing it in the direction it will cut, as it wears down the metal only slightly and using it the other way damages the file. This technique is the same for shaping the metal, not only cutting it.
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Tips & Warnings
Determine what kind of cutting is required by your certain piece of metal by its thickness and what kind of cuts are desired.
Always be careful when working with sharp tools and use gloves to handle the metal if they are sensitive.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
