# Cutting 16ga Stainless steel **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [October 13, 2009, 12:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780 "2009-10-13T12:37:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/1 "2009-10-13T12:37:48Z")
I got a 4x10 sheet of Stainless steel and have been having the hardest time cutting the stuff… IM using a jigsaw and cant get the blades to last more then 1 inch… anybody ever have any luck? its not THAT thick… ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/2 "2009-10-13T12:43:29Z")
assuming you don’t have access to a shear, use a cutoff wheel and grinder. using a jigsaw is ridiculous. use a guide bar if you need to cut it straight and a scuff pad to remove discoloration for heat/oxidation. ---
**Author:** ![IanK](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/iank/32/5016_2.png) [@IanK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/IanK)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/3 "2009-10-13T12:49:54Z")
Do you have the proper bits. I know a jig saw probably isn’t the best tool for the job, but I just cut out two wheel tubs worth of similar gauge mild with one, and I used like 6 blades max. ---
**Author:** ![turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbo_ls1_ss/32/7303_2.png) [@turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbo_ls1_ss)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/4 "2009-10-13T12:52:13Z")
8’ computerized shear ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/5 "2009-10-13T12:52:42Z")
Ian,… Stainless vs Mild are 2 different worlds ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/6 "2009-10-13T12:54:17Z")
Everywhere i looked online Ive seen people talk about using a jigsaw and a bi metal blade to cut up to 1/4 in steel… sears lists a bunch of “metal” blades… [http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p\_10153\_12605\_00964382000P?keyword=metal+jigsaw+blade](http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00964382000P?keyword=metal+jigsaw+blade) using the cutoff wheel is a BIG pita as its hard to get it to make a deep enough of a bite when holding it sideways ---
**Author:** ![turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbo_ls1_ss/32/7303_2.png) [@turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbo_ls1_ss)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/7 "2009-10-13T12:56:37Z")
stainless is quite a bit harder to work. did you ever try to drill a SS pipe or bend/flaire SS brake lines? same deal ---
**Author:** ![LXIFLYBY](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lxiflyby/32/7399_2.png) [@LXIFLYBY](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LXIFLYBY)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/8 "2009-10-13T12:57:37Z")
chop saw or plasma cutter ---
**Author:** ![IanK](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/iank/32/5016_2.png) [@IanK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/IanK)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/9 "2009-10-13T12:59:14Z")
> [@LAFENGAS](#): > > Ian,… Stainless vs Mild are 2 different worlds Hmmm good to know 😉 Gl Brian. If you dont have access to a cutoff wheel and wanna give it a try i have one. ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/10 "2009-10-13T13:00:05Z")
> [@Viper966](#): > > Everywhere i looked online Ive seen people talk about using a jigsaw and a bi metal blade to cut up to 1/4 in steel… > > sears lists a bunch of “metal” blades… again…mild steel and stainless steel cut COMPLETELY different. I don’t know why you’re trying to convice yourself otherwise…you proved it to yourself that cutting it with a jigsaw isn’t working. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/11 "2009-10-13T13:10:40Z")
What is the basic shape you need? ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/12 "2009-10-13T13:12:07Z")
> [@LAFENGAS](#): > > again…mild steel and stainless steel cut COMPLETELY different. I don’t know why you’re trying to convice yourself otherwise…you proved it to yourself that cutting it with a jigsaw isn’t working. I get that… i’m just saying that’s what i read, and most of the blades i have found said they would cut stainless… but it just wants happening… have you ever seen any cutoff wheels that were straight on like a pizza cutter instead of the wheel being at a right angle to the tool? its a PITA to make long cuts like that and you cant use the wheel after a bit because it isnt big enough ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/13 "2009-10-13T13:15:59Z")
i’d recommend a 4" cut off wheel used with a standard grinder. if you need some, stop by and i’ll give you a few. let the wheel do the work and just one will last you enough to cut through all your sheets. ![http://www.fury-pc.com/blackflag/grinder.jpg](http://www.fury-pc.com/blackflag/grinder.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![IanK](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/iank/32/5016_2.png) [@IanK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/IanK)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/14 "2009-10-13T13:16:32Z")
> [@Viper966](#): > > have you ever seen any cutoff wheels that were straight on like a pizza cutter instead of the wheel being at a right angle to the tool? its a PITA to make long cuts like that and you cant use the wheel after a bit because it isnt big enough What do you mean ? like a regular angle grinder ? Edit: Nvm Josh has got it. Like i said Brian if you need one i have one. ---
**Author:** ![turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbo_ls1_ss/32/7303_2.png) [@turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbo_ls1_ss)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/15 "2009-10-13T13:17:19Z")
… yes they make straight cutoff wheels that aren’t 90\* ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/16 "2009-10-13T13:19:33Z")
> [@turbo ls1 ss](#): > > … yes they make straight cutoff wheels that aren’t 90\* 200 bux though… i have a 4.5in grinder that i guess i can use… just gonna be a PITA and sparky when i have to do a 40in cut… oh well ---
**Author:** ![Firehawk853](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/firehawk853/32/7607_2.png) [@Firehawk853](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Firehawk853)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/17 "2009-10-13T13:20:16Z")
Plasma cutter. Stainless is much harder and that why your blades arn’t lasting. Its like trying to cut wood with paper. Nagunahappen. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/18 "2009-10-13T13:44:36Z")
how far are you trying to cut? circular saw with metal blade? ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/19 "2009-10-13T13:45:03Z")
> [@Viper966](#): > > 200 bux though… > > i have a 4.5in grinder that i guess i can use… just gonna be a PITA and sparky when i have to do a 40in cut… oh well stainless doesn’t spark 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Anonymity](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/anonymity/32/7215_2.png) [@Anonymity](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Anonymity)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780/20 "2009-10-13T14:01:28Z")
> Best Answer: Save yourself a lot of hassle and take it to a metal shop. They have a big machine called a shear that will cut those strips perfectly in a minute. Sir, I dont need to be rude, where did you buy the metal from? did you tell them what you intent was for the metal? what do you want to cut? strips? [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cutting-16ga-stainless-steel/74780.md?page=2)