How to Cut a Metal Roof when Laying

When cutting metal, there is a high risk of sheet deformation, material melting from sparks. Damage to the protective polymer layer is especially dangerous. Violation of its integrity leads to the appearance of rust and a significant reduction in service life.

How to Cut a Metal Roof when Laying

Overview of cutting tools

All devices that can be used to cut tiles are divided into two types:

  • manual (mechanical). only in private construction;
  • electric. suitable for professional use in large volumes of work, the most convenient. battery, it is easier to cut metal directly on the roof with them.

The list of hand tools:

  • manual roofing scissors;
  • nibblers
  • hacksaw.
  • electric shears. knife, slotted, nibbled;
  • nozzle on a drill (cricket);
  • jigsaw;
  • hand circular (circular) saw.

You cannot cut tiles with an angle grinder (angle grinder). The use of devices not included in the list recommended by the manufacturer of the roofing material will void the warranty. Friction from the disk causes the sheet to melt and begin to melt, the protective coating burns out. If it is not possible to use other tools, then the sections must be treated with anti-corrosion paint.

If there is no experience, it is better to pre-train on small residues. The main work also needs to be done carefully. First make a cut, slightly stepping back from the markup, then trim.

When processing tiles, it is necessary to timely remove the generated chips. Edges are recommended to be covered with protective anticorrosive paint. On a sheet with a slice, the next one is overlapped in such a way as to exclude the access of moisture.

1. Manual roofing scissors for metal.

This cutting tool is one of the simplest, most cost-effective tools for cutting along. It works like ordinary scissors. Blades are made of hardened steel. Available in three versions: with left, direct or right cut. They have comfortable handles that do not slip out and provide good cutting force.

Advantages of manual roofing scissors:

  • do not leave burrs on the slices;
  • make a smooth edge without defects;
  • work silently.

Disadvantages of manual roofing scissors:

  • unsuitability for large volume;
  • effort must be made;
  • dull blades bend metal, get stuck in it;
  • there is a risk of cutting yourself on the edge of the sheet
  • difficulty cutting across the wave.

To make the cutting convenient, it is better to purchase left and right scissors immediately.

1. Manual punching (cutting, punching) scissors.

The main element is an open die cutting head for easy material entry and a chip cutter. The handle has a shape that contributes to a comfortable position in the hand. On it is a plastic coating with a soft gasket that prevents slipping. Another component is a transparent plastic protective shield for ejecting chips, it takes it forward, which makes work safer.

Video: How to Cut a Metal Roof when Laying


Minimum cutting radius with cutter scissors. 25 mm. To start cutting, a hole with a diameter of 8.5 mm must be drilled in the sheet. Advantages. maneuverability, ease of execution of curved cuts.

2. Electric scissors.

In professional construction, electric scissors are used. This tool has a powerful engine, easy to use. The cut is perfectly smooth and clean.

There are two types of electric scissors: knife and slotted. The first is convenient to cut metal in a straight line, but it is difficult to perform an angle rotation, slotted are suitable for curly cuts. The main element consists of two blades, one of which is movable, and the second is not. The chips are diverted to the side, which prevents the appearance of defects on the protective polymer layer. The slotted scissors have an open cutting head. The cutting quality of this tool is the best.

3. Vysechnye (cutting) electric shears.

The most popular among professional builders involved in roof installation. Very easy to use, work from electricity on the principle of a hole punch. The main components are a movable punch and a fixed matrix. The matrix has a hole of the same shape as the punch.

Designed for quick cutting of sheet or profiled metal from the edge or inside. The tool does not heat the material, makes turns at any angle, makes holes in inaccessible places, including complex shapes. No burrs are formed on the slices, so there is no need to further process them.

4. The nozzle on the drill.

According to the same principle as nibblers, a special nozzle for a drill for cutting metal tiles (cricket) functions. Suitable only in private construction with flat or profiled materials. An electric drill scissor head can cut a sheet vertically and horizontally. Makes round or figured holes for mounting elements of ventilation systems, gutters. The cut is very neat, but for this you need to choose the right speed, otherwise the punch will bend the edges. An electric drill with a scissor nozzle does not form sparks, does not burn the polymer layer, works with steel, aluminum, copper.

5. Electric jigsaw and hacksaw.

The jigsaw cuts according to the principle of a conventional hacksaw, but with greater speed and accuracy. Special replaceable file-knives with a wavy edge and small teeth are used. They allow you to make a very smooth thin section without damaging the protective polymer coating on the surface of the roofing material. An electric jigsaw is cut not only in a straight line, but also in curved fishing lines. It is impossible to lay the sheet while working on weight; the shaped metal has a small thickness and is easily deformed.

  • use on the ground and on the roof;
  • high speed;
  • Ease of Management;
  • low cost of consumables (files);
  • the ability to perform curved cuts.

Disadvantages of using a jigsaw:

  • files quickly wear out;
  • high level of noise;
  • difficulties in processing sheets with a profile height of more than 25 mm.

Cutting with a hacksaw with a fine toothed file is done like a jigsaw, but without electricity. The accuracy and speed of work for a hand tool is quite high. They cut metal tiles with a hacksaw only on a workbench, curvilinear cutting is not possible.

6. Circular (circular) saw.

Unlike an angle grinder (angle grinder), a hand-held circular saw operates on the principle of cold cutting. It is acceptable to use during roofing, as it does not melt steel, does not burn the protective polymer layer. Experts recommend using carbide discs for metal with a fine pitch and a reverse angle (bent teeth) or universal victory gears. Disadvantages. the tool is not suitable for curved cuts, an incorrectly selected disc can tear metal, it is not very convenient to use a saw on the roof, the risk of injury is relatively high.

source
Articles , ,