Guys what's the right tool for cutting 22 gauge steel? I need to make some patch panels for the trunk of my 75 teener. I'm thinking a air nibbler or shears?

Nibblers are tough to control as well as air shears. If you use shears, get a scrap piece of carpet and lay it down, lay down the sheet metal on top of it and cut it with the shear, it helps.

I would recomend and angle grinder with a cutoff wheel.

Oh and 22 gauge is too thin for what you are patching. Trunk floors are probably 18G and outer body panels are 20G

I tried using shears to cut the sheet metal when I made a trunk patch, and only got frustrated (but then again I was using cheap shears.) I had great success using a dremel tool. I went through a lot of the little cutting wheels, but I could do really precision cuts, and made trimming things to fit really easy. Home depot sells the cut-off wheels in bulk packs of 25 which ends up being much cheaper in the long run.

I'm sure I don't have to say this, but I will anyway- make sure you wear protective eye wear if you use a dremel.

I cut a bunch of sheet metal when I was repairing the hell hole. an angle grinder with a 3" cut-off wheel worked great. Use a cardboard template and a felt pen to lay it out on the sheetmetal. With care you can follow any line or curve!

Good luck

If $$$ is no object, get one of these! Beverly Shear.

or, I agree with the angle grinder and cutoff wheel.

Jim

I use the following

A pair of electric shears. milwakee sells a nice set. good to 18 guage.
Hand shears, get the biggest you can find, better leverage.
Hand shears, right angle set, good for small nibbles, fitting etc.
4 inch electric Grinder, with cut off wheel
Air powered die grinder
Dremel
Bandsaw with metal blade.

All of these work for different issues,,,

Start shopping.

Rich

Plasma cutter...

Best thing since rust free teeners

BJH

Yep, I'll second that. The Miller rep at AirGas here in Dallas will rent out a
Spectrum 125c for $55/week.
That model is self contained, has a built in compressor and runs off 120v.
Plug it in and your ready to cut.


--- bill

The best tool I've found is an air powered saws-all. They have thin jigsaw type blades that are about 4" long. The cut a real thin line and are easy to control. They wear out (break) easy, but are cheep.

Usually refered too as body saws.... They do ok for tight stuff, but lick the sweaty underside of my testes (grafic enough, or do i need pics?) for long straight cuts.

For the long straight stuff, try Viagra Or a Good ol stomp shear.

Band saws work pretty well for most stuff too...

BJH

Nibbler....after some practice I can sign my name....22 is too thin BTW....

A sheet metal nibbler, not a knob nibbler.