What do YOU use to cut metal roof panels?

[Diggin It]

After a dozen or so cuts (some quite long at an angle across the panels), my 7 1/4" diameter Dewalt abrasive blade is about 4" diameter or less. Good thing I got two.

 

[Billrog]

A cheap 7.25" diamond blade will work just fine .

 

[ddbackhoe]

After a dozen or so cuts (some quite long at an angle across the panels), my 7 1/4" diameter Dewalt abrasive blade is about 4" diameter or less. Good thing I got two.

A little late...I use these for up to and including 1/4” plate
LENOX Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blades

Just picked up a couple of these (4 1/2”) to try out
LENOX MetalMax

 

[Diggin It]

Well, did what I could. Hopefully I have everything buttoned up for this section. Took longer than I'd hoped, but I run out of energy too easy these days. I start about 6AM or earlier if I can see well enough and it isn't raining or too wet with dew. Don't really need to hydroplane off. By 10AM, I'm usually crawling off the roof due to back or leg pain. I just can't do much at one time any more. Got skunked a few days due to unexpected rains. Now we're forecast for 'multiple inches' of rain over the weekend.

Need to order more metal to do the next section, but that'll have to wait another month. The rest should be a lot easier though since it's all full sections, no cuts. This first section had the valleys and all the weird angle cuts and other details.

 

[countrybumpkin]

My son-in-law is a contractor never uses a cutting wheel to cut metal the long way. If you just have to cut it the long way take a utility knife and score it all the way down next to the rib and then bend it over till it breaks cleanly. Never fails. And he's never had to cut any off the end across the ribs since he always orders the correct length.

Then he must never have used it on gable ends, or cut around openings.

 

[Ericredslslingshot]

Use tin snips and it came out great

 

[countrybumpkin]

You just said he never has to cut the the ends, so which is it.

 

[fidowanttobe]

I formerly used a cut-off wheel and snips. No more. A metal cutting blade in a circular saw does better and lasts longer. The abrasive blade wore down and got slower and won't cut the ribs when the diameter got too small.

The metal cutting blade with carbide tips keeps the heat to a minimum too. Not just any carbide tipped blade... Has to be a metal cutting blade. The carbide is different than a wood blade.

Use safety googles in any cutting. Metal chips or grit in the eye hurts. Hearing protection is good too.


It's all fun until someone gets hurt.:thumbdown:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Diablo-7-1-4-in-x-48-Teeth-Steel-Demon-Ferrous-Metal-Cutting-Saw-Blade-D0748F/100098833

X2 These are fantastic and I have cut a LOT of tin with it. Eye AND ear protection required.

 

[BuckSteel]

I have always used a skill saw for personal use. Fortunately most of the metal I deal with now is prefab metal buildings

 

[geteh]

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


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



That's my current plan.


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, roofers Utah say that shears and nibblers leave an open metal edge too.

For long cuts on 29G 5 Rib panels, an electric or air nibbler is a great choice because it makes clean cuts without damaging the coating. Electric shears also work well for straight cuts but struggle with tight curves. If you're comfortable, a fine-tooth metal-cutting blade on a circular saw (mounted backward) can work, but it may leave rough edges and heat the metal, risking coating damage. An abrasive cutoff blade works but generates a lot of sparks and heat, which can lead to rust over time. If you're doing a lot of cuts, a nibbler or shears will give you the best results with minimal effort.