Handling Sheet Metal Safely

Transforming a four foot by eight or twelve foot sheet of metal into HVAC duct work, computer cabinet or a tank requires special tools and safety equipment.

Tools may include specialized non-powered tools commonly referred to as snips. Snips come in various sizes and shapes. Some snips use compound leverage for ease of use and greater cutting ability. Some snips are designed to cut arcs or circles and are color coded for direction of cut. Green colored handles for cutting to the right, red colored handles for cutting to the left and yellow colored handles for making straight cuts. Powered hand tools include nibblers and shears.

Cutting sheet metal can be very dangerous as the edges of the cut metal are very sharp. Safety glasses and leather gloves must be utilized at all times. Special gloves made of Kevlar material may be worn. Full sheets of metal are awkward to move. Lifting devices are recommended and proper lifting techniques should be used for smaller pieces.

Sheet reducing cuts should be made at approximately 1/32” from the patterned line. Then a final cut be made to assure a proper cut. After the final cut is made the edge should be dressed with a deburring tool or file, if fabrication is attempted. After the cutting is complete the material may be rolled, broke (bent to a proper angle) or welded to meet the requirements of the finished product.

Select the right tool for the job, and adjust and lubricate the tools daily. Small metal pieces have tendency to fly when cut. A rag or wiping cloth may be wrapped around the material and jaws of the snips to maintain the pieces. Do not exceed the capacity of the tool that you are using.