Houston Steel Requires Careful Metal Cutting Considerations
Houston steel from companies such as Texas Iron & Metal comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and thickness. One type of metal that many homeowners use is sheet metal. Sheet metal can be used as a temporary repair material in outdoor structures such as roofs and walls, or can be shaped for a number of hobby projects. Yet cutting this steel can be tricky and may result in having the wife take you to the emergency room.
Sheet metal amateurs will assume that ordinary tools around the house, such as the kitchen scissors or your wife's pinking shears, can be used to cut sheet metal. While these tools may work, they can leave jagged edges and it can take several attempts to try to make curves as you can seriously cut your skin across the metal.
Using the right tool makes a world of difference when it comes to cutting sheet metal. The most favorite tool used by people who work with Houston steel are tin snips. Yet even using tin snips can create sharp edges. So the first thing you need to do is wear heavy-duty work gloves to protect your hands from the cut metal edges, and wear long clothing to protect bare skin on arms and legs.
Once you pick up your metal supply in Houston, find a place where you can do the work without being disturbed by outside distractions. Place the sheet metal on a stable surface to prevent it form shifting. Mark the sheet steel where you plan to make the cut, then choose the right type of tin snips for the project.
There are many tin snips to choose from, and it doesn't take an expert in the steel industry to decide on which ones to use. Simply perform a little research regarding the particular tin snip so you can cut the Houston steel with as few problems as possible.
- Compound snips, also called aviation snips, are offset tips formed at an angle to cut metal in clockwise curves or counterclockwise curves. These snips will keep your hands above the sheet metal so that you skin does not become cut on the sharp edges.
- Straight-cutting compound snips can cut straight lines through thick Houston steel such as a double sheets of metal. It works well when you need extra leverage especially if the metal changes in thickness.
- Large tin snips allow you to cut long lengths with fewer cuts. The long, straight runs will have fewer jagged edges or wrong cuts as you will have a smoother edge.
Cutting sheet metal and other types of steel isn't difficult for the average homeowner, and it usually doesn't cost a lot of money. Simply understand the characteristics of the metal you are cutting and choose the right tool to give you the best results.You will be finished with the project quickly without injuring yourself from the sharp steel.
