What do YOU use to cut metal roof panels?

[Diggin It]

Starting a roof project, 29G 5 Rib panels and trim ordered. In the past, I've used an abrasive cutoff blade in a regular circular saw. Tin snips/shears are OK for small pieces and trim, but they don't work well for me for long cuts. Considering an air or electric nibbler or shear. I seem to recall some posts here about people using regular circular saw blades, but I'm not sure how well they would work.

So, what have YOU used?

 

[void777]

I have used plywood cutting blades turned backwards no carbide tips good luck with your project.

 

[Motorboatin]

 

[Diggin It]

That doesn't tell me much.

 

[Bigkrank]

I have used a circular saw with standard blade backwards, the metal saw with the 2 counter-rotating blades, an air shear and an air nibbler. I always try and get panels cut to the exact length so there is not an extreme amount of cutting. I do not like the hot chips from the saws. I use a nibbler whenever I can.

The last of 3 buildings Morton built for me the only tool they used was a nibbler. Their panels are quite a bit thicker. The only thing most people use 29 gauge for around here is putting over old wood siding on barns or interior ceilings in shops.

 

[Diggin It]

My problem with nibblers and shears is the profile of the ribs. Even cutting from the back is sometimes difficult. An abrasive blade handles that a lot better and produces only dust, no chips.

I try to get panels cut to size where possible, but I have several to cut at angles for valleys, so precut isn't possible.

29G is standard for residential roofing jobs.

 

[Shaneard]

This saw is amazing at cutting metal roofing along with a lot of other materials, it's expensive but works great. Along with roofing, I've cut 1/2" thick steel and 1" thick aluminum with it. There are knock off brands out there as well. I've learned that cutting roofing with it, it's best to do it on the bottom or flat side which makes all the angle cuts backwards and sometimes ruins a piece, don't ask how I know.

8" Metal Cutting Saw

 

[oosik]

I have one four bay carport and one single bay carport. All have galvy metal roofs. I purchased the roofing in lengths so I could overlap and not have to do any cutting. Overlap on both length and width.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I used to cut roofing metal with a circular saw. Just put in any old blade backwards and cut. I got tired of the noise and hot chips so switched to a pair of tin snips. It's quick and works very well.

 

[Diggin It]

I've learned that cutting roofing with it, it's best to do it on the bottom or flat side which makes all the angle cuts backwards and sometimes ruins a piece, don't ask how I know.

I don't do expensive because I don't do this stuff often. A 7" Dewalt abrasive blade will run me under $5, so I'll have a couple on hand.

Because of the varying lengths as I work along the valleys, I plan on using roof felt paper to make a template for each panel, then lay those backwards on the back side of the panel. Cutting from the back will handle the rib profiles better. Don't ask me about backwards angle cuts either. Been there.

I was hoping that somebody could convince me an air nibbler or air shear would handle the ribs better, but it's not looking that way. They'd be fine for flat stock and trim, but I can use regular tin snips for those.

 

[yomax4]

I like plasma with a set of 20 amp consumables. Super quick and clean with a straight edge. Or an air shear but it struggles with the ribs at times.

 

[Jchonline]

Check out this YouTube channel. I have been watching it for awhile, great info on building. He has a number of videos on steel roof installation.
RR Buildings
- YouTube

 

[flusher]

I used a 4.5" angle grinder with cutoff blades to cut the metal panels for my equipment shed.



Good luck

 

[Motorboatin]

That doesn't tell me much.

Must be your browser. The video shows up on my screen

Like void777 said this is the best way that I have tried. Cheap and quick

Here is the link Cutting Metal Roofing With Circular Saw - YouTube

 

[countrybumpkin]

Use cut off blades in your saw , cut from the back side so the ribs are not a issue.

 

[3Ts]

The guy that built my barn used an air nibbler. When I asked about an abrasive saw, he said it voids the paint warranty. I never bothered to check if that was true.

 

[BHD]

on long cuts with the ribs, one can score it with a utility knife, a few times and bend it on the score line and it will break,
my SIl will score and snap entire length sheets with a utility knife,

 

[Diggin It]

I used a 4.5" angle grinder with cutoff blades to cut the metal panels for my equipment shed.

I thought about that too, but I'm not sure I can cut a straight line that way.

Must be your browser. The video shows up on my screen

Ahh, that's why. I have those blocked entirely. Had you posted a short introduction initially, I would have known why it was blank.

Use cut off blades in your saw , cut from the back side so the ribs are not a issue.

That's my current plan.

When I asked about an abrasive saw, he said it voids the paint warranty. I never bothered to check if that was true.

Well, it does burn the cut edges a bit, but I'm not sure why it would be an issue for areas of the panel not cut. Then again, shears and nibblers leave an open metal edge too.

 

[thekkfan]

on long cuts with the ribs, one can score it with a utility knife, a few times and bend it on the score line and it will break,
my SIl will score and snap entire length sheets with a utility knife,

I'm assuming you meant 5v roofing. I own the exact same tin snips in this video and the are awesome. Just the other day I cut right through a couple of those support hangers used for garage door opener installs.

 

[Diggin It]

on long cuts with the ribs, one can score it with a utility knife, a few times and bend it on the score line and it will break,
my SIl will score and snap entire length sheets with a utility knife,

I've done that too, but you can't do that across any ribs which is what most of my cuts will be.