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The Daily Insight

How to cut thin metal

Author

Sarah Richards

Published Feb 27, 2026

Table of Contents

What can I use to cut thin metal?

An angle grinder fitted with an abrasive metalcutting disc works well to cut all kinds of metal, including bolts, angle iron, rebar and even sheet metal. But the discs wear down quickly, cut slowly and shrink in diameter as you use them. Instead, we recommend using a diamond blade that’s rated to cut ferrous metal.

How do you cut metal by hand?

How do you cut thin sheet metal at home?

Clamp the sheet metal in place on your work table to hold it in place while you work. Align the snips with the line you want to cut, with the upper blade of the tin snips touching the sheet metal. Tin snips are primarily used for cutting thin sheet metal like tin, aluminum, brass, and thin-gauge stainless steel.

What is the best thing to cut metal with?

Tin Snips. Like a pair of scissors, tin snips are an inexpensive handheld tool that cuts straight, or if the blade is curved, can cut curves and circles. Tin snips are ideal for cutting soft metals like aluminum and copper, and are especially useful for cutting sheet metal, gutters, metal roofing, and studs.

What is the best hacksaw blade for cutting metal?

For heavy-duty cutting jobs like steel reinforcing rod or pipe, an 18-teeth per inch blade would be the best choice. For a job that requires medium-duty cutting, like a thin wall electrical conduit, a 24-teeth per inch blade would do a better job.

Will a hacksaw cut metal?

As a classic plumber’s tool, the hacksaw is primarily a tool for cutting metals, such as steel pipes or sheet metal, but it can also be very useful for cutting plastic pipes when you don’t have a specialty tool designed for that purpose.

How thick of metal can a hacksaw cut?

How to cut metal with a hacksaw
Tpi (teeth per inch / 25mm of blade)Suggested usage
14Large profiles, aluminium, softer metals
18General workshop projects
24Steel plate up to 5/6mm thickness
32Hollow sections and steel tubing

Can a Sawzall cut metal?

Reciprocating saws can churn through metal, masonry, wood, plaster, fiberglass, stucco, composite materials, drywall and more. The key to a successful cut is using the right type of blade for the material you are cutting.

Can a Dremel cut metal?

Dremel cutting accessories are ideal for cutting a variety of materials including metals, soft & hard woods, fiberglass, plastics & metals.

Can I use a rotary tool to cut metal?

The quick answer to this question in a pinch is, yes, a rotary tool, such as the Black & Decker RTX1 or the Dremel range, do come with a cutting disc and grinding stones and can be used for cutting or grinding metal, rigid plastic, wood, composites, etc.

What tools can be used to cut metal?

For those with a greater level of expertise in metal working, cutting torches are also an option for cutting metal.
  • The Hacksaw. The handheld hacksaw is perhaps the most traditional and familiar of all metal cutting saws.
  • Cold Saw.
  • Jig Saw.
  • Band Saws.
  • Torches.

Can an angle grinder cut hardened steel?

Hardened steel can be tough to cut. According to this video from Ultimate Handyman, that’s because hardened steel is often harder than the steel in hacksaw blades and similar toothed saw blades. In fact, your best chance for cutting hardened steel may be an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel.

What is the best way to cut hardened steel?

Can a Sawzall cut hardened steel?

Carbide tipped blades cut harder, denser metals like hardened steel, cast iron, alloys including boron steel, and higher grades of stainless steel. Diamond Grit blades also cut hardened steel, however they are expensive and take longer to cut through the material.

What metal Cannot be cut?

Tungsten is a very heavy metal that cannot be resized. That means, if you ever gain or lose any weight in your fingers, you’ll have to get a completely new ring. Also, tungsten rings are difficult to cut off of your finger during emergency situations and cannot be repaired once broken or cracked.

What is the hardest metal to cut?

In terms of tensile strength, tungsten is the strongest out of any natural metal (142,000 psi). But in terms of impact strength, tungsten is weak — it’s a brittle metal that’s known to shatter on impact.

Which metal lasts the longest?

Gold is clearly the most durable, but many objects fashioned from silver, copper, bronze, iron, lead, and tin have survived for several thousand years.

Are metal rings dangerous?

Since traditional wedding rings are made of investment quality precious metals, they can get quite pricey. Since these rings conduct electricity and heat and don’t give way when placed under stress, they’re more dangerous for your finger than their silicone counterparts. – Most aren’t hypoallergenic.