Inexperienced builders often come across issues that are not particularly difficult for a roofer specialist. In particular, the question of how to cut a metal tile is quite acute.
Is it difficult to cut metal?
If we consider this issue from a technical point of view, then it is not a problem. However, when carrying out these manipulations, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances, the main of which is the use of the material as a roofing. Thus, cutting the blade should not cause damage to the material, since subsequently this will lead to destruction of the coating. Using traditional tools, it is rather inconvenient to cut metal tiles, this is due to the fact that the described material is not smooth. Its surface is not smooth, but wavy. If you use a jigsaw for work, then in the absence of skills you can break the files and tear the tiles. As for traditional manual scissors designed for cutting metal, they are also not very suitable for such manipulations.
Why not use a grinder?
If you are thinking about the question of how to cut metal, do not try to simplify your task by using an angle grinder electromechanical machine, which is equipped with an abrasive disk. Manufacturers especially emphasize, indicating this in the instructions for the metal tile, that it is forbidden to cut it with a grinder, which is equipped with an abrasive disk. If you neglect this rule, the material warranty will be automatically voided. All the masters who used this tool for the described manipulations note that literally 2 years after the installation of the roof, the system begins to flow, which occurs due to the formation of rust. Such errors are formed in those places where the polymer coating was destroyed during the cutting process.
Professionals advise
If you are thinking about how to cut metal, it is important to understand the design features of this material. Thus, if you cut the canvas, you will see a semblance of a puff cake, in the middle of which is a fairly thin sheet of metal. The latter is coated with a layer of zinc. Next are the polymer layers, as well as the paint, which is applied to the back side. If you use an abrasive disk for cutting, this will cause a high temperature effect on the sheet. As a result, the properties of the metal change, and the galvanized coating is melted. The protective polymer remains damaged. Cutting using an abrasive disc causes defects in the cut areas and in those areas where sparks fall. The resulting corrosion and foci increase over time, spreading over the entire surface.
Tool Recommendations
In view of the fact that you already know whether it is possible to cut metal tiles with a grinder, it is worth considering which tools are suitable for this. As an ideal option, an order is made to fit the material to certain sizes from specialists. The role of the second solution is the acquisition of metal tiles of those sizes that will not imply the need for cutting. In this case, you do not have to spend money on the purchase of an additional tool.
If none of the options suits you, then you should consider the list of tools that you can purchase or rent. If you wondered about what they cut metal tiles, then you can use electric nibblers that are designed for sheet steel. They are used as an independent tool or as a nozzle, which is used in tandem with a drill.
An alternative solution may be roofing manual scissors. However, carrying out work with their help will be much slower. If you have to cover the roof with a fairly impressive area, this option is not too suitable.
For cutting, an electric circular saw can be used, which is equipped with a carbide blade. The latter should have a reverse angle and a fairly small step.
After you decide whether it is possible to cut metal tiles with a grinder, it is worth considering other cutting options. A hand saw designed for cutting metal can be used. However, it must be taken into account that difficulties may arise during its use if there is a need for curved cutting of profiled sheets.
Many craftsmen use an electric jigsaw, which has special files. A metal tile without harm to quality can be cut with a circular hand saw, which should be equipped with a cutting disc designed for aluminum. If you use such a device, then one disk will be enough for 10 roofs. The cutting will be cold, which is why it is not able to destroy the material.
The secret to maintaining the durability of metal
Before cutting metal with an electric saw or any other tool, it is important to remember that unprotected edges must be tinted with facade paint. You can hide the edges under the top sheets of the coating during installation. This will protect the material from negative external influences, thereby the life of the coating will be extended.
Use of nibblers
If you are thinking about how to cut metal tiles correctly, then nibblers can be used for these purposes. The material has a curved profile, so for the manipulation you can use the mentioned tool. It is worth noting that it will be quite problematic to use scissors for sheet steel for this. The advantages of this method are the fact that the metal will not heat up, no burrs will form on the edges, and the operating time will not exceed the time spent using an electric saw. Nibblers are very maneuverable, they can be used for curved cutting, which is very attractive for home craftsmen and specialists in their field.
Using electric shears for metal
Why it is impossible to cut a metal tile with a grinder, you could find out if you read the information presented above. However, for such manipulations you can use electric scissors. It is permissible to start cutting the material from the edge of the edge or from the middle of the sheet. If the last of the described needs arose, then you will first need to drill a hole. Single-blade knives act as a cutting tool for such scissors, one of which is movable, while the other is not. After completion of work no waste remains. When cutting, difficulties with fairly sharp turns may arise - they will practically fail to be made. That is why the work will have to start exclusively from the open edge. If you have a question about which tool to cut metal, then slotted electric scissors, which have an open cutting head, will allow you to get fairly accurate and accurate cuts. It is convenient to use them for figured cutting.
Varieties of electric shears
After you learn whether it is possible to cut metal tiles with a circular, it is worth considering whether it is advisable to purchase a tool to carry out work on only one roof. Perhaps a more rational solution would be electric scissors. They can be cutting, knife, and also slotted. The first variety operates according to the starting principle. Thus, for each stroke of the poisson, a small piece of material is cut out. Knife scissors are suitable for those craftsmen who wish to complete work without waste. As for the spline tool, it allows you to get a profile that is not deformed. The chips remain on the surface during the manipulation, and after that you can easily get rid of them. For craftsmen who want to get a quality cut, slotted scissors are the most acceptable option.
Using a drill head for metal
Many inexperienced masters often ask the question whether it is possible to cut metal with a nozzle on a drill designed for cutting metal. The use of this tool is allowed, but the master will have to have the knack and certain skills. The nozzle should first be fixed in the drill chuck, which drives the mechanism. Without difficulty, it will be possible to perform curly and straight sections. If you choose the right number of revolutions, then this will ensure a sufficiently high quality of cutting.
note
Cutting a metal tile with a grinder is prohibited, but using a drill with a special nozzle is not prohibited. If you can’t afford to buy an expensive tool, then there is no better alternative than a drill. However, during its use, sparks should not be allowed to enter the surface of the tile. Experts advise using one of the old methods, which involves the use of a traditional hacksaw, designed to work on metal. She is not able to heat the place of cutting, so the polymer coating will not be destroyed. Corrosion-resistant characteristics are not lost. Undoubtedly, this method is not convenient, it is quite laborious and involves a lot of time. But it can be called the most reliable.
If you are thinking about how to cut a metal tile, you can use a nozzle on a drill. However, before purchasing a tool and additional components, if they are not in the arsenal, it is worth evaluating your abilities. Only in this way will it be possible to exclude additional unreasonable expenses.
What else is important to know?
It is worth noting that if you are tempted to use a grinder, then you should not risk it: using electric scissors, you will achieve the same speed. However, the material will not be harmed. With this tool you can do any turns, even those with a degree of 90. In this case, the material profile can have different depths. Among other things, electric scissors will not leave behind any burrs on the edges. That is why it is not necessary to additionally process sheets in the places of cut.
Conclusion
There are a great many tools for cutting metal tiles. Do not harm the roofing, using a grinder to cut it, even if this is the only tool that you have available. Despite the fact that all other options are not so common in the arsenal of a home master, it’s worthwhile to fork out for their purchase or rental. The price will come true already at the first stages of the operation of the roof, which will last more than one decade, unlike the one that was equipped during the cutting process using a prohibited tool. Some home craftsmen who used the grinder note that the need for repairs arose in the early years of using the roofing. For this reason, it is worth considering the above recommendations.