How to cut sheet metal - any suggestions?

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**usernamesareannoying**

So i want to cut some thin sheet metal to make some movement trays.
I have a jigsaw and scroll saw.
Are there bits for either that can cut thin steel plate?

I've put magnets under my figs and want to make some custom shaped movement trays.

Any suggestions?

**Desubot**

You can generally cut thin sheet metal with aviation snips.

its a bit safer and more controllable.

I believe metal cutting jigsaw blades exist though for thin sheet metal, its probably going to catch and make some bad edges IIRC.

**Big Mac**

don't do it yourself if you're not a pro, you're going to have jagged edges that will be hazardous. your best bet is to buy your desired size sheet metals online or have manufacturer cut it for you.

**Desubot**

Oh right speaking of which yeah there will be deburring process for anything you do.

you can generally take off the edge with sandpaper or special deburrring tools but it is very hazardous and may have you slice open your hand or worse leave small metal shards in your hands (its really not fun)

**usernamesareannoying**

I would try snips but they tend to curl the edges.
I also looked for metal cut to size but i didn't have any luck.

**Desubot**

usernamesareannoying wrote:
I would try snips but they tend to curl the edges.
I also looked for metal cut to size but i didn't have any luck.

Well they do make cold roll steel cutting scroll saw blades you could try.

depending on the set up it too could mess with the edges. nothing pounding it out with a ball peen wont fix but its the compromise you will end up making.

outside of a million dollar laser cutter.

**Flinty**

Do you expect me to talk?...

**Desubot**

Flinty wrote:
Do you expect me to talk?...

No Mr Flint, I expect you to die.

**usernamesareannoying**

Maybe i can find one of those million dollar cutters at Michael's... i have a coupon

**JBSchroeds**

.

**huntingdog**

Maybe Clamp it and use a grinder, with a tile cutting disk or a very fine cutting disc, they are super thin so just gently edge across it, no snip indents Then if needed a quick file or sand with black sandpaperor even run the grinder back over the cut edge on an angle. gluck

**queen_annes_revenge**

You could also drill holes along the desired edge. Would require filing after and be time consuming but you'd get the desired size

**Alex Kolodotschko**

Get some magnetic sheet metal like Magflex, search for magnetic sheet or magnetic paper.
It cuts with scissors or a knife at all thickness and will give you a bit of extra pull too.
You can then mount it on whatever baseboard you like.

https://www.first4magnets.com/a4-sheet-c81/magflex-a4-flexible-magnetic-sheet-coloured-p3482?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=magflex-a4-flexible-magnetic-sheet-matt-black-1-sheet-mfa4-bk-1&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=CjwKCAjw-OHkBRBkEiwAoOZqlyBI4N9L4-ysDIGrBxy4UQHq7IrMqVYj9D7DTPBftZ03n4rYfaQFsxoC28wQAvD_BwE#ab_1-6%7Cps_2-1577

Edit: Wow that's a big link!
Generally where you find the magnetic paper you'll find non magnetic too just incase you have random polarity on the bottom of your models already.

**JohnnyHell**

You can use a bench mounted metal shear or guillotine. It’s a faff and needs a lot of finishing. Use MDF and magnetic sheet!

**Rybrook**

How thin is the metal?

I scored 1mm alloy sheet with a scribe and folded the end and it broke off leaving a straight edge that needed a file

But for steel I’d go for the clamp and jigsaw

**bubber**

use this sort of stuff instead:
https://www.first4magnets.com/a4-sheet-c81/magflex-a4-flexible-magnetic-sheet-3m-self-adhesive-p3480#ps_1-1565
easy to cut, easy to stick.
i tried metal myself but it bent too easily & I couldn't get it perfectly flat.

**Big Mac**

saw a sponsored on my fb page that might interest you. They advertise that they have magnetized bases and trays among other goodies.

https://themagnetbaron.com/?from=@

**Strombones**

i did this the other day to make drop ins for magnetic defenses. Honestly a sharp pair of scissors worked just fine.

Then put in on a cutting board and hammered out any rough edges.

**usernamesareannoying**

What gauge was that strom?

**Perkele**

queen_annes_revenge wrote:
You could also drill holes along the desired edge. Would require filing after and be time consuming but you'd get the desired size

Working along tin bashers for years has made me appreciate how sharp the edges get after cutting. I would say the best would be to use tin snips to cut it and follow behind with a grinder to get rid of the edge. You could also just use the grinder with a cutoff disc to cut them to size and the grinder again to get rid of any edges.

**Mothsniper**

usernamesareannoying wrote:
So i want to cut some thin sheet metal to make some movement trays.
I have a jigsaw and scroll saw.
Are there bits for either that can cut thin steel plate?

I've put magnets under my figs and want to make some custom shaped movement trays.

Any suggestions?

You have a scrollsaw?! Awesome! Use that!
I have built a ez Jig for my BandSaw. Wood guides, wood table to slide on the wood guides, and some BagBalm for smooth operation.
I am sure you could build a strait simple jig for a scrollsaw to cut strait. Id recommend looking up jigs for "slide-guides" and NOT the "fence-guides"

Jigsaw would also work. I have learned over the years that no matter how or with what, (outside of the industrial machines) cuts are made, there is always clean up and polish stage that sharpens corners and cleans up the lines.

Otherwise buy precut pieces of metal to needed size.