How To Cut Sheet Metal Ductwork

Cut sheet metal ducts with tin snips but match the type to the cut.

How to cut sheet metal ductwork.

Make long strokes for long straight cuts. Then you just sight on the far mark while you make the cut. One end will have an end cap and the other end will be raw notched at 1 2 for easy field modification. Open the cutters as wide as you can at the start of each stroke and make long smooth strokes.

Lift the cutoff strip and roll it to the side to prevent it from binding on the tin snips handle. If your project requires curved cuts make an easy economical and adjustable. Https amzn to 2kstzae sheet metal hammer. Rectangular sheet metal duct.

If it s small enough you can use a vice but if not you still need to hold it down tightly so it won t move while you cut it. Long straight cuts are easier to make with large tin snips. Https amzn to 2mkd0sj large screw driver. Https amzn to 2ndf97w the best tin aviation snips.

Fasten down the ductwork before cutting it be sure to fasten down the piece of metal ductwork so it won t move when you cut it to the length you need. Mark the cut line or area on sheet metal with a felt tip marker. Punch a starter hole in the metal with the blade of a. Make two marks for cutting when replacing ductwork when cutting pipe bob likes to mark the size he needs on each side of the open seam with a marker.

Flat metal is easier to cut than curved so he uses his knee to support and flatten the pipe while he opens it up. In this video we show you the best and safest way to cut a round hole into a can or rectangular duct. You ll need a drill sheet metal snips a start collar. Duct work 6 x 6 x 36 long with end cap hvac duct.