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How to Cut Thin Metal Precisely - Kevin Caron

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From www.kevincaron.com - Artist Kevin Caron shows how to cut thin metal with a variety of tools - and the big secret about getting an accurate cut ....
Artist Kevin Caron gets asked often how to get a clean cut on a piece of thin metal.
There are three tools that Kevin Caron uses a lot to get a precise cut from a thin piece of metal. One tool is a foot shear or a jump shear. Another tool is a plate shear for cutting slightly thicker metal than the foot shear can handle. The third tool is a Beverly shear or a throatless shear.
All three tools work great and all start the same way. When cutting a thin piece of metal precisely you need to make sure to start with a good line and a good mark to follow. Instead of using a pencil, a magic marker or soapstone, Kevin Caron suggests using a scribe so you can get a nice razor edge line to follow.
Once you have a line made, you are ready to begin cutting. Kevin Caron is cutting 16 gauge 5051 soft aluminum and it’s a little too thick for tinsnips so he needs to use a power tool. If you have an air compressor, one option is an air-powered cutoff tool.
Another power tool option is one of Kevin's favorites, an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. The angle grinder with the cutoff wheel will be a quieter option than the air-powered cutoff tool and offers a little more power.
Using a straight edge clamped to the edge of the bench is also a good tip to cut thin metal precisely. Using your power tool, ensure you're up against the straight edge and can follow along the line to get your perfectly cut piece of thin metal.
Kevin Caron is ready to get back to work, so you have time to visit www.kevincaron.com to see more how-to videos and his wild work.
Well, you might want to stick around for another moment to see a crazy safety tip ….
"Inspired sculpture for public & private places."
Artist Kevin Caron has been sculpting full time since 2006. You can see his more than 45 commissions in public and private places coast-to-coast and online at www.kevincaron.com.
Please follow me!
Twitter: / kevincaronart
Facebook:
/ kevincaronstudios

Опубликовано:

27 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 159

@sierraecho884 6 месяцев назад

I simply use my laser, it´s s clean cut every time xD In all seriousness, you can cut really thick Aluminium with a scoring knife. Score the metal a couple of times and then bend it back and forth a couple of times. Makes no noise and the cut is really clean.

@KevincaronSculpture 6 месяцев назад

I will have to give that a try! Thank you for watching and posting.

@davidschwartz9636 2 года назад

Learning a lot from you Kevin. You're brilliant at explaining things, and full of good ways, for those of us that want to make things out of metal but don't have a load of tools, to get the job done.

@KevincaronSculpture 2 года назад

I love taking the wrong tool and figuring out how to do the job I need. Thanks for watching and posting.

@AntiQris Год назад

This was a killer video! Thank you! Made quick sense of things and no distracting music. Good job

@KevincaronSculpture Год назад

Thank you for watching and posting.

@JustinS06 2 года назад

I've only watched two of your videos so far, but they are short, explain everything well and I just love them! Thanks for the great information :)

@KevincaronSculpture 2 года назад

Glad you like them!

@bakedbeings 2 года назад

The (sacrificial) straight edge guide is a great idea. I reckon the best gift an experienced craftsman can offer a newcomer might just be offcuts: it's amazing how much easier things get as you accrue a little stock of straight-enough and flat-enough bits and pieces, wedges, shims, blocks to raise things up or use to spread out clamp force etc.

@KevincaronSculpture 2 года назад

This is one of the reasons you will never see the underside of the welding table! It's a little on the full side!

@shiminowind 2 года назад

Your like the Bob Ross/Mr.Rogers of a metal shop! Love how you explain things and demonstrate the work at hand. Excellent work!

@KevincaronSculpture 2 года назад

Wow, thanks!

@shiminowind 2 года назад

@@KevincaronSculpture keep up the good work and no matter what anyone says negatively keep doing what you do and improve on that! Your explanation is easy to follow

@waynehigden 7 лет назад

Thirty years ago I made a third hand. I took a small Vice Grip and drilled a 1/4-20 tapped hole in the handle. Took a camera gimbal and secured the Vice Grip to it on the 1/4-20 stub. The gimbal has a locking device to hold it at any angle. Mounted the two on a small turning, 3/4"dia., 2" long with a 1/4" thick, 2" square base bolted on the other end to make a foot. Works great when fastening small pieces together that magnets will no hold. Thanks for sharing another gadget.

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

Sounds like a fun build! have to try making my own someday..

@Arterexius Год назад

I don't know why, but I never thought of just clamping a straight edge to the line I wanted to cut. Thanks for the tip!

@KevincaronSculpture Год назад

I am always looking for a better and or easier way to get the job done. Thanks for watching and posting.

@obxburg Год назад

Man I wish we were neighbors 😂🙌🏼 We could build a bigger boat! Thanks Awesome Channel Sir!

@KevincaronSculpture Год назад

That would be cool!

@alaskamike3577 6 лет назад

Always enjoy your videos Kevin. Learned a lot from you over the years. Many thanks for all the tips and how toos you give us.

@KevincaronSculpture 6 лет назад

Happy to share what I learn the hard way Mike!

@stevejames2142 7 лет назад

Great job explaining different types of cutting Kevin.. It's also worth noting that there are many different qualities of cutting wheels/discs, some last much longer than others and some are also specialised for cutting stainless steels.

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

Great point! Have to get a bunch of them and see whats what!

@stevejames2142 7 лет назад

That should be good Kevin.. they also come in different thicknesses, the ones you see me using give you about a 1mm cut

@jayzee5712 4 года назад

Thanks for the info! I learned what a cutoff wheel is!!!

@KevincaronSculpture 4 года назад

Thanks for watching Jay.

@jayc3110 5 лет назад

Nice clear and concise lesson... Thank you

@KevincaronSculpture 5 лет назад

Thanks for watching and posting Jay! Don't forget to click an ad or 2. Helps pay for the videos.

@OuterEastLLC Год назад

Great breakdown. Thanks for sharing.

@jimzivny1554 7 лет назад

Straight edge for the grinder is good, it's easy to get wobbly fighting the torque of the machine. On occasion when I have to cut 20ga or thinner or soft metals I have an old paper cutter that originally belonged to a school I think with an 18" blade that is so easy to use. It leaves a very small burr but dead straight. I have a used electric shear also (up to 14ga) that makes great curves. We accumulate lots of tools as time goes on.

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

Amen Brother!!

@fredsmith6160 7 лет назад

I noticed that plasma cutters have come down a lot in price. I already have an everlast welder that is fantastic. How practical would it be to own a plasma cutter?

@jimzivny1554 7 лет назад

Fred Smith I have a small capacity plasma cutter and I use it often, I got a great deal on it and it has a built in air compressor which came in handy at the time but I'm shopping for a larger machine now doing more work on structural metal. Portable bandsaw, plasma and handheld grinder with a cutoff wheel probably handle 80% of all cutting. Go for it.

@squirrelgray945 7 лет назад

There's some cheap but functional plasma cutters on ebay around 200 dollars. May not last you 30 years but if you have a decent air supply they get the job done and for my budget 200 is much more doable then 1000+ for the name brand high quality ones.

@erwinerwin1245 2 года назад

Love this video as I have a 20 gauge steel to cut and I find the hand held snips just not that great. I will now use my angle grinder and I like the idea of clamping down a straight edge and follow that as a guide. I am new at this and I see that you made about 5 passes before cutting it. I will do the same and not force it with one pass. Thanks for the excellent video. How come your wife is always wondering on what you are doing?

@KevincaronSculpture 2 года назад

Well, she has to have some fun as well!!! Thanks for watching and posting.

@AtTheHandle 2 года назад

Exactly the video I needed to see . thanks

@KevincaronSculpture 2 года назад

Glad it helped!

@jimwilkey7294 4 года назад

This guy knows what he’s talking about 👍

@KevincaronSculpture 4 года назад

Thank you!!!!! I needed to hear that today.

@danssv8 7 лет назад

I use a wood circular saw at 4800 revs per minute with a metal anti kickback tungsten carbide blade to cut thin alu and sheet metal up to 1.6 mm thick next to a straight edge clamped down for a nice straight clean cut

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

If it works for you,, awesome!

@dondawson1 7 лет назад

Beautifully done!

@shelleycossar9733 10 месяцев назад

Thanks mate, great tips

@KevincaronSculpture 10 месяцев назад

Happy to help

@HexBeatz 11 месяцев назад

What’s the best budgeting way to smooth it off once you’ve cut ?

@KevincaronSculpture 11 месяцев назад

I just use a 4.5-inch grinder with a soft pad. Say about a 120 grit or so.

@fanwlkr 6 лет назад

Sure love my angle grinders, a plasma cutter is a bit dangerus for my little wooden garage, so my alternatives are dremel or tin-snipps. Been drooling at some electric shears, have you ever used one?

@KevincaronSculpture 6 лет назад

I have a shear that is rated to 16gauge. Did a little too much and snapped something inside. Still looking for a "good" one.

@stargazer2042 2 месяца назад

I want to cut 12"x12"x0.045" stainless steel 304 into 12 strips of 1"x12", with clean edges, and no noise or dust. Can a sheer do that cleanly on both sides of the cut?

@KevincaronSculpture 2 месяца назад

All depends on the shear you are using. A dull blade will make a big mess as well. But that is what I would reach for to do this job.

@carloseduardocarmonaortega6915 4 года назад

Great tips!

@KevincaronSculpture 4 года назад

Glad you think so!

@fifty1fifty 7 лет назад

I always thought aluminum would clog up cut off wheels. Looks like they do just fine though! Good to know.

@CharlesStruble 7 лет назад

Good info! Thanks guys!

@rimi4400 3 года назад

Would love to see something on how to cut intricate shapes from thin metal. I use shears, but my arthritic hands are getting tired sooner all the time. Of course, I have (and use) a jewel's saw, as well. But would br thrilled to find a mechanical way to cut these shapes until laser cutters some down a little. ;-)

@sareklee1414 2 года назад

Thanks! Really helped my project!

@KevincaronSculpture 2 года назад

Glad it helped!

@GibClark 7 лет назад

great tips ! 👍

@roncandelaria3703 Год назад

I need to cut CIRCLES in a small sheet of stainless steel. Can you tell me how to cut circles and what tool do I use? Whoops! Just found your other video on cutting holes.

@KevincaronSculpture Год назад

You got it!

@LryuzakiLN Год назад

What kinda gloves you wearing?

@KevincaronSculpture Год назад

Those are goat skin, and they are from Stanley. "Leather for weather" is what it says on the tag. Got them at the big orange store.

@saintanthony7718 4 года назад

Can you tell me how to cut a hole in a lanai bottom for an extension cord to fit through

@KevincaronSculpture 4 года назад

hole saw on a drill works great. Just search for "hole saw for metal".

@saintanthony7718 4 года назад

Kevin Caron, Artist thank you

@davidholt4216 6 лет назад

Thanks so much!

@KevincaronSculpture 6 лет назад

Thanks for watching!

@chuckschillingvideos 4 года назад

How on earth do you keep the grinder from cutting into the straight edge/reference?

@KevincaronSculpture 4 года назад

Just keep the disk flat to the straight edge and watch that area to make sure it is true.

@pequodexpress 3 года назад

Will this method work for 1mm-thick 65MN spring steel? I've got a plate that I need to cut into 15mm-wide strips.

@KevincaronSculpture 3 года назад

It should work but I have never played with that type of steel so am really not certain. Give it a try and let us know.

@iraqresitance9663 3 года назад

Greeting from iraq well done

@KevincaronSculpture 3 года назад

Thank you for watching and posting.

@Ramdodge582 7 лет назад

How do you like the ear protection? do the batteries last long? is it AM/FM only or bluetooth too?

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

A/M F/M with a jack for input.. Battery's last about 6 months with regular usage..

@GimpSlayerGeneral 5 лет назад

Which day is best for cutting thin gauge steel sheet?

@KevincaronSculpture 5 лет назад

Any day that ends in "y".

@conniestevenson226 3 года назад

Friday

@jackdawg4579 7 лет назад

still got the hook on the end of the scribe I see! (your Feb 17 video you said that one of these days you were going to cut it off!)

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

I just jabbed myself with that damn thing today!

@BeckyAnnStephens 7 лет назад

I am trying to repurpose a metal closet/cabinet. I would love to cut free hand designs in it. Is there a tool for that? The design I'm envisioning would have points, and rounded edges like a leaf.

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

Plasma cutter would be my first pick. You could also use a jig saw with a metal cutting blade. Or a nibbler.

@bigzen69 4 года назад

If that's aluminum why is there Sparks coming off of it?

@KevincaronSculpture 4 года назад

Because the straight edge I was using is steel and the cutoff wheel is rubbing against it. Great question, you are the first to ask.

@chuckschillingvideos 4 года назад

@@KevincaronSculpture How much damage are you doing to the straight edge when you guide your angle grinder alongside it?

@rushka1354 3 года назад

Hi Kevin. Great video. Just found it. Can you pls give advice on a tool that I can use to create scalloped edges on galvanized metal?

@KevincaronSculpture 3 года назад

How thick of metal are you talking about? What kind of metal? What tools do you have on hand now? You can just use a Beverly shear to cut the scallops if that will work. Or you may just use a grinder to shape the metal if it is thick enough. Sorry, but not enough information to be very helpful.

@Hhhhhgggihgdd 4 года назад

What would you recommend using for sheets of diamond plate that's only .032 thick ? I can't cut a straight line using tin snips.

@KevincaronSculpture 4 года назад

A 4.5 inch angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. Run it against a straight edge to keep your line.

@x_ph1l 7 лет назад

Kevin, thanks for the video! I was wondering, is it possible (and how good the cut quality) to cut thin metal sheets (around 0.3mm) with plasma cutter? Need to cut a lot of squares and thinking if CNC plasma is the way to go.

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

CNC is always the way to go for cutting in my opinion.. Still looking for an affordable plasma table, time will tell..

@josephsmithe5774 7 лет назад

I really WANT a CNC for my powerplasma too but whether I can AFFORD one is a totally different matter! So many toys and too little money to spend on them ....

@MrKiet76 5 лет назад

What gauge or thickness of sheet metal would you prefer to make deck post brackets?

@KevincaronSculpture 5 лет назад

I would probable reach for the 16 gauge steel.

@MrKiet76 5 лет назад

@@KevincaronSculpture awesome thx

@finkleeinhorn1767 4 года назад

Great video there bud. Quick ?'s How would you recommend cutting thin/slim aluminium profiles for LED strips? I'm trying to cut 13mm wide aluminium LED profiles, rather thin sides and nearly every power tool burs or twists the sides so its not a perfect mitre cut. Hand saw is the closest but still not perfect as I would like so any help is appreciated. Also any idea how to cut corner style light diffusers?

@KevincaronSculpture 4 года назад

You might have good luck with a guillotine paper cutter. All depends on how thick the aluminum is. As to the light diffusers, sorry, with out seeing one I don't have any idea.

@Mojen_Marc_Music 4 года назад

How would you go about making cutouts in a brass tube (say, 38mm diameter)?

@KevincaronSculpture 4 года назад

I could clamp it to the mill bed and do it that way. Or use a pencil grinder with a small end mill or burr and just cut it out by hand. All depends on how complex the design is I guess.

@Mojen_Marc_Music 4 года назад

@@KevincaronSculpture thanks for the reply. Shame I cant post photos here! 😁 Baically, a rectangular cutout in the middle and on the ends, half cut away to a c shape but with a curve at the middle, if that makes sense.

@chuckschillingvideos 4 года назад

I have never needed to cut a 38mm brass tube, but have made similar cuts using an old Craftsman chop saw with an abrasive disc in place of the saw blade. I use this chop saw exclusively in this fashion and it works reasonably well. Not the cleanest cut ever, but nothing you can't clean up pretty easily - and most importantly, it makes a perfect 90 degree cut.

@donaldducko6580 Год назад

Great. Now do a radius. And cutoff tools and grinders are a sure way to not have a straight line. Nearly guaranteed unless you do it all the time.

@naoufelmelayh240 5 лет назад

hi kevin , please to advise for plasma cutter for cutting thin stainless and alu , on cnc , torches could be cnc shieded or water injection may be the hypertherm , powermx30 , thanks again

@KevincaronSculpture 5 лет назад

Can't go wrong with Hypertherm, I like the Everlast line as well. All depends on what CNC table you have and what your budget is.

@onjofilms 7 лет назад

One day the Tesla of tools will plug itself in :)

@MrGunPilot 7 лет назад

What about those cutters that use counter rotating wheels? I can't recall the name of them at the moment, they seemed to be commercially popular about 10-15 years ago, but I rarely see them used in scenarios like you describe. Are they a gimmick?

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

I know what you are talking about but have never seen one.

@naoufelmelayh240 5 лет назад

hi kevin thanks for prompt reply i have an old cnc chineese , one without thc , i would like to buy complete cnc 3000x 1500mm , with complete set , cutter thc and shielded torches , mostly i cut , very thin , stainless and galvanized metal plate , then i need , nice cut , without drosses near laser cut , (without pretention to obtain same results) cut from , 0.6 mm to 2 mm stainless and alu , from my experience and many reads , the best is to use , cooled water to injection water torch , on a water table i can use 01 cutter , and 02 differents torches , one for very thin metal as above and one other other for , thick aluminium ( 5mm ) in the 02 case would like to use ,always , cooled water torches or injection water torches what do you think about , ??? , at hypertherm specs docs , they preconise ,to use , injection torches , with N2 gaz instead of air or oxygene you advise , everlast , yes i heard good things about , please to think about thanks

@KevincaronSculpture 5 лет назад

I don't know anything about a water table, can't offer any advice on that. I use a Hypertherm on my cnc table and it works very well. You might check with the guys at Dynatorch about their tables. Don't know if they ship to where ever you are.

@konstantinbradicich8875 2 года назад

What about stainless steel sheet?

@KevincaronSculpture 2 года назад

Because stainless is much harder then steel you have tom cut slower and use some lube. Other than that I feel it is done the same way.

@thefirewooddoctor 7 лет назад

How much do those shears cost? Be a lot quicker to break down a 4x8 sheet of metal for some projects I want to to. Is either that or a plasma cutter to cut 1/8-3/16" or so material to build fire pits with.

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

If I remeber right that foot shear was in the $1500 range used, the little plate shear was about $160.

@thefirewooddoctor 7 лет назад

Kevin Caron, Artist Can get a Hobart 17Air plasma cutter and a Milwaukee dry cut circular saw for lass than that foot shear. Plate shear does best in what size metal thickness?

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

That shear works up to 1/8th inch. The foot shear will only do 16 gauge. Next step up is hydraulic and much more money.

@thefirewooddoctor 7 лет назад

Kevin Caron, Artist To get started, am thinking of a dry-cut circular saw and the dry-cut wheel for the angle grinder. Think that would work best for me since the "welding/fabrication shop" would have to be setup and taken down every day until I get a proper shop built?

@vi683a 5 лет назад

I would suggest re-titling this with "Aluminum" inserted in the title. I know it would work with Mild Steel but i was put off a little because i was thinking mild steel when i click the video.

@KevincaronSculpture 5 лет назад

I shall scold the videographer severely.

@PALM311 3 года назад

Send a self-addressed stamped envelope to this man and I'm sure he will refund your 3 minutes and 46 seconds of life back to you!

@vi683a 3 года назад

@@PALM311 Are you upset bruh?

@paulhatch7759 7 лет назад

what are your thoughts about electric shears and nibblers ?

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

Really want a good pair of electric shears.. Something that will handle 1/8 inch if possible.. Not a fan of nibblers, leave too much of a mess to clean up after.. Course I was probably using it wrong also..

@paulhatch7759 7 лет назад

interesting. thanks for responding.

@waynehigden 7 лет назад

Mine leave a piece about 1/4" wide because of the cutting shear width. The other dim. is based on how fast I am pushing. I use it making circular cuts, instead of using a saw. I agree about the mess. Especially when they are non magnetic metal.

@AllTattedUp13 3 года назад

Jigsaws with metal cut blades work frickn GREAT!!!

@BillyRay501 3 года назад

Where I order the scrib?

@KevincaronSculpture 3 года назад

Lots of them online. Or the big orange store.

@BillyRay501 3 года назад

@@KevincaronSculpture is it a certain one

@tonybaggett1984 7 лет назад

Have you ever thought about using a CNC machine? Or is that not really good for artistic integrity? Just wondering I have no opinion either way.

@KevincaronSculpture 7 лет назад

Have been looking at them but can't find one I can afford. Really want a water jet but holy shite are they proud of them!

@tonybaggett1984 7 лет назад

They are stupid expensive! But man would they make cutting intricate pieces easier.

@gloriamarquez6146 4 года назад

I want to make scallop cut across a 10ft. Ridged metal

@KevincaronSculpture 4 года назад

Okay, what are you building?

@phottomatt4202 3 месяца назад

Hmm, wish I had a metal shop, guess I'll just use my dremel.

@KevincaronSculpture 3 месяца назад

Use whatever works for you.

@phottomatt4202 3 месяца назад

@@KevincaronSculpture the dremel actually worked well enough, not straight but a lot better then metal sheers.

@mrechbreger 2 года назад

Very messy it seems. I need exactly that but I should be able to get away with shearing

@KevincaronSculpture 2 года назад

If you have the tools, awesome!!

@mrechbreger 2 года назад

@@KevincaronSculpture I don't really have I clamp it onto a CNC and cut through the T-Slots at the moment... but I'm really having an eye on the hsbr-305 (I need straight cuts only through the entire metal without bending the sheared off side). Another way seems to be a nibbler (the first time I heard about that was just yesterday someone recommended it to me). There are drill adapters which aren't expensive but 100$ adapters are recommended, which would be still cheap for the quality you get. The HSBR-305 would cost 500$ .... I'm making 0.8mm spur gears.... still thank you for the video! it saves me trying it because I don't want too much dust at the place where I'm doing it, and that's the reason why I called it messy (from my point of view).

@AtTheHandle 2 года назад

We need a ten foot shear lol

@KevincaronSculpture 2 года назад

Oh yeah!