How to cut very thin SS (0.012") without deformation

[Muse]

I have a 6" x 12" piece of stainless steel that's 0.012" thick that I need to cut without it deforming. I think that equates to 30 gauge.

When I bought it at a large hardware store, I talked to the guy servicing me and we figured I could use my aviation snips but now I'm thinking that the metal will deform if I use that after marking the straight line I want to cut on. I also have a steel sheet metal shears, but it doesn't have the mechanical advantage of the cheap aviation snips I bought at Harbor Freight some years ago.

I have a tungsten carbide scribing tool I used to good effect to cut some Hardie Planking last summer. Can I use that to scribe deep scratches on both sides and try to bend the metal back and forth until it breaks? Or is there some other method I can use? I have a bench vise and a wood vise, too. I could use them to grab the scored plate held between wood strips to prevent scratching.

 

[Muse]

Watching this video, I see a method that might work OK for me. He clamps a straight edge against the metal to keep the line and uses an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. I have that stuff.

 

[boomerang]

The method to cut with snips without deformation is to never make a cut the full length of the snips. Make a cut but not all the way to the end, advance the snips and cut, etc. If the snips are the type that have serrations adjacent to the cutting edges, you may see evidence of those left behind. But with metal that thin, it may not happen. If you have extra stock you can experiment.

The scribe method may work but unless you clamp the material so that it is sandwiched between a flat surface and a straight edge afterwards, you will get deformation when you attempt to bend it.

 

[Muse]

Thanks. I do have some extra stock. I will experiment. Neither the shears nor aviation snips have serrations.

 

[Rifter]

Just use snips, mine cut that gauge no problem with no evidence. they are super sharp and i use tiny little cuts on thin stuff so only cut like a half inch at a time.

 

[Muse]

Thanks. I do have some extra stock. I will experiment. Neither the shears nor aviation snips have serrations.

Taking a close look I do see serrations on the aviation snips.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

.012? Just use a straight edge and an exacto knife.

 

[Billb2]

Clamp it between two pieces of 1 by board and cut it on a table saw with a carbide blade, or better, with a metal cutting blade.

 

[NutBucket]

Doesn't everyone have a shear at home?

 

[herm0016]

i may try a utility knife with a fresh blade for each cut. or a carbide metal cutting blade in a circ. saw or table saw.

 

[Muse]

.012? Just use a straight edge and an exacto knife.

Yeah, might work. Like I said, I have a carbide scriber I can try too. It was cheap but it really did the job for scoring Hardie Planks. I used score and snap for those, that virtually eliminated the very serious dust issue with using something like an angle grinder.

 

[crashtech]

I'd take it to an HVAC shop. The guys by me wouldn't even charge to shear off one little piece of metal.