Other an a chop saw, has anybody been cutting 20 guage steel studs with snips. If so, what size snips are you using?
I want to avoid a chop saw since it is a residential job and want to avoid the noise and sparks. I tried normal aviations snips but they seem a bit to smal, I also used a jig saw with a metal blade an it worked well, just a little noisy.
New devices showcased at the Builders' Show make it easy to measure glass performance, u-factor, SHGC, window thickness, and more.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
There are bench-style shears made for steel studs, but they probably cost an arm.
Well, only a few fingers: http://fastenmsc.stores.yahoo.net/metalstudshear.html
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Is 20ga the lightest in common use? Or is it 22ga? It's been about twenty years, thankfully, since I had to abuse my senses, working union jobs with that crapola.
In any case, I recall that the lightest gauge studs were fairly easy to cut with a good quality pair of regular snips. The right handed snips are a little easier to use, for a right handed person, than the straight snips. They cut with a small arch which puts the pressure directly on the spot being cut. I'd say that they're about twenty percent more efficient, easier to use, than straight snips.
How do I know? Because I didn't ask that question before buying my first pair. So I have both types. Yellow and red grips.
Edit: Wiss is the company name of the industry standard for quality. They make a large number of models so do a bit of research and test one or more of them with a piece of stud, before you decide.
Edited 9/28/2007 1:38 pm ET by Hudson Valley Carpenter
most lumber yards carry 25 guage. commercial jobs are typically 20 guage. i am using 20 guage for the job. it is much more steardy
We used 20 ga for the interior walls, and 16 ga for the exterior non-loadbearing walls that had plywood sheating and brick ties."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I just bought a Milwaukee metal cutting circular saw for cutting studs. You can cut studs and track with it just like cutting 2X4's with a skilsaw.It was around $300.00, but it is worth it!
Rick W
I would recommend this: http://www.tylertool.com/hicd14mesaw.html
Noisy yes but no sparks and a very clean cut. Also real handy for cutting angle iron, threaded rod, black pipe, etc. The carbide tipped blades can be sharpened a number of times.
You can cut them with straight (yellow) aviation snips. cut the two sides andscore accross with a razor knife and bend back and forth
Get one of them Twin cutters at Lowes, MasterCraft IIRC, about 100 bucks, lemme know if it works.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
We cut them regularly with regular Wiss snips. If you want you can cut the sides, bend and score it with your rock knife, then bend back and forth a few times and it snaps right off. This works with heavier gauges also.
Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
This works well, especially for smaller jobs: http://www.malcoproducts.com/products/drywall/src24a.asp
maxchase,
I really like my Portaband for this. Gettin' too old to squeeze snips all day.
KK
I did a small interior job with steel studs for blocking out closets and the like. I used my demolition saw with a steel-cutting blade. Worked fine. But not a LOT of cuts!
Bob Chapman