Stainless steel is a hard metal that requires specialized equipment and slow cutting speeds. There are many methods of cutting stainless steel. Some methods are more difficult than others are, but the difficulty level depends on the thickness of the steel sheet metal. Many stainless steel sheet metals can be cut with simple power tools, such as circular saws. However, sheets that are more than a quarter inch thick should be cut using tools such as plasma cutters. When determining the method for cutting sheet metal, consider factors such as accuracy, speed, cost, the finish and automation. More importantly, it is also important to choose a stable work area and a place that is away from combustible items. Here are some the commonly used techniques for Cutting Stainless Steel Sheet Metal.
Cutting Using Hand Tools
Some of the commonly used hand tools for cutting sheet metal include saw blades, hand pruners, or a chisel and hammer. Using a chisel and hammer is the most basic form of cutting stainless steel. However, this process is slow and labor intensive, but may be appropriate for small-scale projects. Saw blades are faster and more accurate than hand pruners, especially when used for cutting thinner stainless steels. When choosing a stainless steel cutting blade, check to be sure that it can be used on steel. Commonly used saw blades for cutting stainless steel include circular saws, jigsaws, and band saws.
Heat Cutting Tools
Heat cutting tools, such as oxy-acetylene and plasma torches, work well with stainless steel sheet metal because their burn temperatures are lower than their melting temperatures. They are more accurate when compared to hand tools. Heat cutting tools are highly portable, making them ideal for working in difficult-to-reach spaces.
High-Powered Lasers
High-powered lasers offer the most accurate and fastest method of cutting sheets of stainless steel. Modern lasers move their cutting over the sheets at very high speeds with high accuracy levels. With correct adjusting and turning of a laser, a clean, safe edge can be achieved.
These are just some of the commonly used method of Cutting Stainless Steel Sheet Metal. For additional details about the different ways of cutting stainless steel, please contact Toma Metals Inc. You can also follow them on Twitter for more updates.
