How to cut (and bend) sheet metal (0.8mm stainless steel)?

Discussion
1

Hello,

Do we have any tools at the makerspace that I can use to cut 0.8mm stainless steel sheet metal? I have some small pieces (about A4 in size) and I need to cut them. Some of the cuts are straight, but other are convex curves (rounding corners mostly).

I then need to bend this, but not at a tight radius. Something like 1cm radius or so.

Any recommendations how to do this at the space?

Thank you.

2

We have some metal shears that would make light work of it but it isn’t A4 size, maybe it can cut 10 cm cuts, I haven’t measured it. There are angle grinders, files, bandsaw(s). We also have a brake for bending metal but it can be finicky, practice on some pieces as practice. If you need a 1 cm radius you may have to get creative.

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3

Do you know where they are? The shears I mean. Or what they look like?

4

Reasonable quality tin snips should make a pretty good job of rounding off corners.
I don’t know if we have any.

5

If you need to cut neatly and precisely, then maybe give the metal mill a go. Or maybe the desktop CNC

6

if you need a really tight curve you can cut something approximate and finish up with a files etc. but one of the best tips I picked up is that you can smoothe a round curve by using a flap disc on an angle grinder - as it’s curved and spinning it lends itself to cutting curves and the actual edge of the disc is reasonably small so you can get in to tighter spaces with it.

7

It is in the metal area, currently on the floor near the table in the centre of the room. It has a long pole sticking up from it, that is the handle. I should have measured its cutting length. I think it might be around 6 inches (15 cm). I could be wrong. You would need to clamp it down to something steady in order to use it. I will be in on Thursday through the evening so we can take a look at it.

8

Please don’t cut any steel using the desktop cnc.

Thanks
Federico

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