I am adding a lean-to on a storage shed. The roof will be galvanized metal roofing that I puchased used. What is the best way to cut these panels? I have heard some say you can use a skil saw with the blade reversed. Also wondering if a blade especially made for cutting metal would work. I don’t have the special “nippers” made for cutting metal, and not sure if I can rent them in this area.
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You can indeed use a circular saw blade put on backwards and it will cut - albeit about as well as you'd expect. Better is a ferrous-metals blade which has the correct hook angles etc and won't cost a great deal - but will still sound like a full battalion assault on your hearing.
Somewhat better for noise is a ferrous-metal blade in your jigsaw or even a recip.saw. You have to be a bit more careful about keeping striaght edges though.
The very best is to find a local contractor that actually knows how to use the snips really well. They will be able to do the job fast, neatly, quietly, tidily and accurately and probably in less than a day for a small job. You might even find someone happy to do a quick weekender for a crate of beer if you're really lucky.
tim
How long are the cuts you need to make, total length end to end? For a relatively small distance I'd be inclined to use an abrasive cutting blade.
In any event, use full body armor -- goggles, heavy shirt and pants, heavy gloves, and hearing protectors.
Cutting panels
I am cutting the panels across their width, about 26 inches or so. Total width of the roof will be about twelve feet, so I have to cut 6 panels. I have a jigsaw, so that is a possibility, but it seems that the skil saw with a special blade might be easier to make the straignt cuts.
straight, no problem with circ saw.
If you don't want to invest in a toothed metal cutting blade you can get an abrasive metal cutting blade for a couple bucks that will cut that much and more. I'd reckon one will cut about 50 r.f. of 26 ga. and still be big enough to cut a few pieces of rebar or something.
A face shield is not an option but a requirement though.
Back in the day I once cross cut metal all day a couple days with a backwards 7 1/4" non carbide blade for agri buildings. Safety equipment was cigarette filters in the ears and a bandana on the face. Regular eyeglasses too.
No wonder at all I can't hear it thunder these days.
Ditto on the cutting method.
Ditto on the hearing.
Good hearing protection is worth it.
cutting metal roof panels
I prefer a angle grinder w/ "Zip" wheel. Easier on the wrist than circular saw. Cutt from back side is also easier than "climbing" "ridges". I also have have electric shears, but "ridges" are a pia with shears.
Jig Saw and a guide
The best way to make truly straight cuts is to set up a clampable straight edge and then use it to guide your jigs saw or circular saw.
I generally order metal roofing through the lumber yard, and they special order it from the manufacturer, cut to the lengths and angles I want. It costs the same per lineal foot if I special order it precut, or get stock, 8, 10, or 12-ft lengths, and I can get upto 36-ft lengths on specail cuts. It saves all sorts of time in the field.
Metal roofing manufacturers generally state NOT to use grinders or circular saws, since they leave a larger (ragged) exposed steel edge or burn the coating more than a shear type tool (Shear, snips,etc). Zinc galvanization can "self-heal" (crystalize) but only to a small degree.
https://hw.menardc.com/main/items/media/MWSTE001/Use_And_Care_Manual/tempsteelcare.pdf