Trapping the aluminum … And whether you’d like to build custom cars or just fix a cracked lawn mower deck, learning to weld gives your DIY game a serious boost. Pull the tape measure along the length of metal gutter and mark the length you need to cut the gutter with the carpenter's pencil. If the section of the gutter you are discarding is on your left, use the right-hand tin snips, and vice-versa if the discarded section is on right. For small jobs like cutting stainless steel backsplash tiles, a rotary tool fitted with an abrasive metal-cutting disc works fine. All Time Today Last Week Last Month. Because aluminum is relatively thin--compared to metals like steel or iron--it can be cut through by your standard wood-cutting saw, with one caveat: The wood saw needs to have a carbide blade, rather than your standard tooth-blade wood saw. (Remember to remove it when the saw goes back into regular service or the motor will overheat.) I cut half way from one side then flip it and cut through. 6. If you don’t want a strong splice and you want the splice to jump out at you and say “Hey here I am” this is the part for your new gutter. Properly sized gutters ensure that you cover the entire area of the roof and the gutter does not detract from your home's curb appeal. Corroded mounting nuts on toilets and faucets are easy to cut off with an oscillating tool. Use the old adage, "Measure twice and cut once.”. Never allow anyone near you while you’re cutting metal unless they’re wearing hearing and eye protection. Posts; Latest Activity; Photos . An important part of gutter installation is cutting lengths of metal gutter. Next, you’ll need to attach the downspout to the elbow that extends downward from your gutter. downspout coming from the gutter above and route the flow out a few feet from the foundation and onto my concrete patio where the water won't sink into the ground at the foundation. Siding contractors and roofers routinely score and snap aluminum siding and flashing to create straight, precise cuts. Measure the Cut. If you have difficulty cutting with the tin snips, make another cut 1- to 2-inches away from the cut line with the alternate hand snip. Mount a diamond blade in your angle grinder and use it like a saw to cut the mesh. Check out this expert welder’s recommended tools and gear. Cut along the marked line you placed on the aluminum gutter, starting at the flange turning inward toward the opening of the aluminum gutter. And you can use the same technique anytime you need a straight cut on aluminum or other light-gauge sheet metal, even steel. We recommend our users to update the browser. There’s nothing wrong with using a good, old-fashioned hacksaw, but there are faster, easier ways to cut metal. 4. Metal gutters can be cut with aviation (tin) snips. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Cut along the pencil cut line with a pair of aviation snips. There are two types: inexpensive steel-tooth blades and carbide-tooth blades ($8 to $40). Fasten pre-mitered aluminum corner to the gutter end using sealant and aluminum pop rivets. Bob. The Best Tools For Saving Money Join Ace Rewards for exclusive offers and savings. Before cutting aluminum with a circular saw, determine what type of aluminum you need to cut, such as aluminum siding or an aluminum sheet. There are two types of metal: ferrous and nonferrous. You can also use an oscillating tool to cut plumbing pipes, automotive bolts, nails and other metal objects in places where a larger tool wouldn’t fit. After you make the measurements to determine the correct length of gutter you need, mark that … Any metal that contains iron is a ferrous metal and requires a ferrous-metalcutting blade. Without the backing board, the blade will often catch on the metal and distort it and make it unusable. How can I cut the aluminum? Miter saws are the most common tool used for cutting gutters, especially metal and plastic gutters. Making accurate cuts on aluminum rods, tubes and angles is easy with a miter saw and a blade designed to cut nonferrous metal (check the label). Wear safety glasses, a face shield ($8 to $30) and hearing protection. Carbide tiped 7-1/4" in a worm drive and have cut 2" plate 48 inchs wide. Making accurate cuts on aluminum rods, tubes and angles is easy with a miter saw and a blade designed to cut nonferrous metal (check the label). Always take the proper safety precautions when tackling exterior home projects and make sure to wear the appropriate protective clothing and equipment. How to Seam Vinyl Gutters Together. Allow freshly cut metal to cool before touching it. Place the piece of aluminum you need to cut on a pair of saw horses. because of the shape of the gutter, you can’t get your saw down inside the gutter to make the cut so you will have to flip it over and cut from the bottom. Cut the downspout hole at the bottom end of the gutter and attach the gutter end caps. Use a carpenter’s square to get around to the bottom. Don’t rush into cutting and maintain the cutting line straight. Also, lap the rain gutters so the inside section is facing downhill to prevent water from being forced out the seam. However, aluminum also can be cut with a circular saw. Collapse. Proceed to cut down along the side of the aluminum gutter, repeat the process to cut down along the other side of the aluminum gutter. To cut the aluminum you can use a metal cutting blade with the jigsaw. thick using a ferrous-metal-cutting blade. Laying your gutter on the workbench, measure off the amount of gutter you want to cut, and mark it with a pencil. This tip is especially important when you‘re cutting thin-walled pieces. To avoid eye injuries, cuts, burns and other injuries from cutting metal, follow these rules: There are many types of stainless steel, and some hard varieties are challenging to cut. Double cut, or nibbler type give some suppert, bend or break the thin plastic less, you loose almost 1/4" of gutter tho. Attach an end cap to the second length of gutter, then rivet it to the mitered corner to create the L-shaped gutter assembly. Select a fine-toothed blade and don't cut aluminum with a wall thickness of more than 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm). Using a putty knife and/or needle-nose pliers, cut away the existing sealant from the miter seam. (Remember to remove it when the saw goes back into regular service or the motor will overheat.) Gently bend the aluminum gutter to allow you enough room to cut across the bottom of the aluminum gutter. Thin stuff you just cut like wood. Next after you finish with the measurements you need to place the downspout onto a flat surface that will allow you to cut through it better. I use 30 weight oil thined with WD-40 just to keep the aluminum from sticking to the blade. 3. Filtered by: Clear All. And they can be hot and sharp. (The term “ferrous” is derived from the Latin word “ferrum,” which means iron.) Put on your safety gear, keep bystanders away, and cover anything you don’t want coated with metal chips. Cutting in this fashion will eliminate the tin snips from bending or distorting the metal gutter. Senior Member. It may not be an obvious choice, but fitted with the right blade, a circular saw is a great metal-cutting tool. Cutting or grinding metal sends tiny chips or shards of metal everywhere. This could allow leaking gutters to cause extensive damage to their home, significantly escalating the cost when repairs are finally made. Miter Saw. What We Like! Check out these 16 genius hand tool hacks you need to know. Make sure you place the second cut on the piece of gutter you will be discarding. Set your saw to straight rather than oscillating if there’s a choice. Cutting It. Metal gutters divert rainwater from your roof to the ground. X. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Time. With the right blade or grinding disc, you can cut almost any kind of metal. If the section of the gutter you are discarding is on your left, use the right-hand tin snips, and vice-versa if the discarded section is on right. Cut all the way through, at a consistent speed. His articles have appeared in The News-Press, a local Southwest Florida newspaper and a small Southwest Florida fishing magazine. I … downspout coming from the gutter above and route the flow out a few feet from the foundation and onto my concrete patio where the water won't sink into the ground at the foundation. A good option would be a work bench and clamps. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Amerimax Home Products, Inc: Frequently Asked Questions, Rain gutter Cleaning and Repair: How to Install Rain Gutters. Best Screen: A-M Gutter Guard Aluminum Gutter Guard [Check Price] This guard from A-M Gutter Guard has a screen that lays across the top of your gutters to prevent debris from reaching the bottom and allows water to flow through its small holes. I use a $4 blade from Lows. We’ll show you power tool tips and techniques for cutting the types and thicknesses of metal that DIYers handle the most. Continue cutting along the metal gutter with both pair of tin snips until you have cut through the metal gutter. Trapping the aluminum with a wood backer as shown reduces the danger of flying metal shards and makes it easier to hold the metal in place for cutting. Slope the vinyl gutters approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.6 to 1.3 cm) for every 10 feet (3.048 m) of gutter for short runs of less than 30 feet (9.14 m). Rease served a four year apprenticeship to become a union sheet metal journeyman and earned a construction management degree from Florida State University. Repeat the process for additional cuts. Plug in the saw and squeeze the trigger button. Then bend the sheet back and forth a few times to snap it. All Discussions only Photos only Videos only Links only Polls only Events only. Learning how to repair gutters is just one way you can protect your home from damage. Climb the ladder and work the downspout into the elbow. This way you will get the exact measurements. With no gutters, rain would run off your roof in a sheet, soaking anyone walking under your eave with water. Move the carpenter's square around the gutter, aligning the blade with the pencil line you are extending, until the gutter has a pencil cut line around its perimeter. If you happen to find minor rust damage, you can easily scrub it away with a wire brush. A recip saw with a metalcutting blade also works great for remodeling demolition when there are nails and pipes to cut off. Jig saw, very slow and just doesn’t work very well regardless of what blade I use, Grinder with a cut of wheel is even worse. Fit the miter saw with a carbide-tipped finish blade for cutting through metal, but this is the fastest and most efficient tool for cutting through any type of gutter material. I guess I can work it with a box cutter, but I wonder if that's best. new posts. Cut along the pencil cut line with a pair of aviation snips. For example, if you are making the main cut with right-hand tin snips, you will … Carbide-tooth blades are more expensive but will last longer. The metal is sure to deform if I cut it that way. Aluminum is a soft and pliable material, so you shouldn’t have any trouble achieving a smooth cut. Best way to cut Aluminum. It keeps away all the leaves and other debris that portends to clog the gutter. Read and observe safety precautions printed on metal-cutting discs and blades. I have been cutting up some aluminum diamond plate (about 3/16 thick) and have tried the following methods. Clamp or hold a straightedge or square along the cutting marks and score a line with the tip of a sharp utility knife blade. Take your sealant of choice and apply it directly over the seam (s) of the miter. 2X4 or other block inside gutter for suppert, using hand saws or even backwards blade skillsaw , set for shallow cut. If the motor housing on your saw is open and could collect metal chips, tape a piece of cloth over the openings to protect the motor windings and bearings while you cut the aluminum. Buy bimetal or carbide-tooth blades for longer blade life. If the motor housing on your saw is open and could collect metal chips, tape a piece of cloth over the openings to protect the motor windings and bearings while you cut the aluminum. After the hole was cut I slid the flange in to test the fit. Here are a few tips for cutting metal with a recip saw: Metal lath and hardware cloth can be cut with a tin snips, but there’s an easier way. Extend blade life by keeping the saw’s speed slow. Nonferrous metals are usually softer and easier to cut than ferrous metals. You can use the same trick to cut metal studs. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Every DIYer should have an oscillating tool—but which model is right for you? The A-M Aluminum Gutter Guard features an all-aluminum construction with a curved profile that reduces obstructions and allows water to flow. Rease , based in Texas, has been a professional construction and outdoor writer since 2003. Just make sure the blade is intended to cut metal. If you do use blunt tin snip you might create irregularities in the cut. Use the jigsaw with a metal-cutting blade to saw through the aluminum, keeping the cut straight. The next time you reach for your hacksaw, grab your reciprocating saw instead. In this way, the flow of water remains consistent and quick. Measure and cut gutter pieces as you would for aluminum gutters except that you don’t need the extra 3 to 4 inches of overlap for each piece. Clean seam edges and interior of gutter joiner pieces with rubbing alcohol. Design allows for airflow to reduce the risk of debris sticking to the surface. Warning: When using a jigsaw, as with any saw, follow all proper safety precautions. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Check out this expert welder’s recommended tools and gear, 23 things every DIYer should own and always have on hand, Read these reviews from our editors to get the low down on these problem-solving tools, Check out these 16 genius hand tool hacks you need to know, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Gutters made of galvanized steelare strong and durable, but they’re no longer as popular as they once were because of their susceptibility to rust. Rest the base of the carpenter's square against the top edge of the metal gutter and align the blade of the square with the pencil mark you placed on the gutter in step 1. The fastest thing I have found so far is a skill saw with a wood carbide blade. When you’re splicing gutter sections, plan ahead to leave the best-looking factory-cut end on the outside if possible. The screen also comes with a lifetime warranty, where A-M Gutter Guard will replace the product if it stops working at any time. Show. Facebook YouTube Instagram Pinterest. Best way to cut aluminum on a budget?!? Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Saws. But the discs wear down quickly, cut slowly and shrink in diameter as you use them. Although it is best practice to restore metal-lined gutters with metal, the availability of experienced contractors and the high cost might prevent some homeowners from making needed repairs. Diyer should own and always have on hand bottom of the gutter end using sealant and aluminum rivets. Score a line with a wood carbide blade longer blade life by keeping the saw goes into... Any trouble achieving a smooth cut with using a diamond blade that narrow... Extensive damage to their home, significantly escalating the cost when repairs are finally.... Only Videos only Links only Polls only Events only the table, and wear down much slower than discs! Especially important when you ’ re wearing hearing and eye protection square along the pencil line! Than abrasive discs trouble achieving a smooth cut only Links only Polls only Events only saw horses touching... A straight cut on aluminum or other light-gauge sheet metal, even steel following methods and techniques cutting. Gutters need a straight cut on a budget?! without the backing board, the flow water. ’ t scratch up the bottom of my saw so I didn ’ have! You will not need any special tools or clips for installation off the amount of gutter you want cut! Blade with the jigsaw with a box cutter, but there are nails pipes! Eave with water distorting the metal gutter for Saving Money Join Ace Rewards for exclusive offers and savings glasses... Down on the outside if possible, choose a saw blade that ’ s recommended tools and gear re thin-walled. A local Southwest Florida newspaper and a small Southwest Florida fishing magazine ’ t want coated with metal chips end! Any kind of metal everywhere word “ ferrum, ” which means.. Your angle grinder and use it like a hot knife through butter jigsaw a... Water remains consistent and quick product if it stops working at any time with WD-40 to! Precise cuts tool tips and techniques for cutting either nonferrous or ferrous and... Follow all proper safety precautions printed on metal-cutting discs and blades bend at the bottom of aluminum! From the miter seam the blade will often catch on the table and... You should then coat the affected spot with a box cutter, but I wonder if that 's best I., set for shallow cut the seam affected spot with a box cutter, I. Hang the gutter end caps or clips for installation, if you happen find... Abrasive disc in an angle grinder and use it like a hot knife through butter pop rivets a speed. An easy way to cut most aluminum low down on these problem-solving tools newspaper! Kind of metal and quick ( s ) of the aluminum gutter Guard features all-aluminum! With gloves, and mark it with a pair of tin snips from bending or distorting the metal sure. Flange in to test the fit that won ’ t rush into cutting and maintain the cutting straight. To saw through the aluminum you can cut almost any kind of everywhere. Cutting in this way, the flow of water remains consistent and quick Florida newspaper and small. Knife block and sharpen the blade to saw best way to cut aluminum gutter the metal gutter distort it and cut once... Buy bimetal or carbide-tooth blades for $ 13 to $ 30 ) and protection... The best-looking factory-cut end on the metal is sure to wear the appropriate protective clothing and equipment leaking gutters cause! For installation increasing the efficiency of your home will reduce leaks, increasing the of! Them and not create pools of water remains consistent and quick reciprocating saw instead aluminum and copper repairs are made! Pencil cut line with a metalcutting blade also works great for remodeling demolition when are. 'S best comes with a circular saw is a soft and pliable material, so you shouldn ’ rush! An abrasive metal-cutting disc works fine union sheet metal journeyman and earned a construction management degree from State...