cutting metal roofing (straight)

Junkman · Apr 4, 2004

Took some time off..... didn't you read my post to you on the other thread about building a pole barn? I have my eye on your... right through the sights of my shotgun /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

mopower440 · Apr 4, 2004

good idea with the screws Junkman! Now, when i do this would the saw try to cut into the wood or would the wood pretty much keep it where it needs to be?

Junkman · Apr 4, 2004

The shoe of the saw ride along the edge of the wood as a guide.

Inspector507 · Apr 4, 2004

mopower,
Fasten the 2X4 with screws to the scrap side of the metal. Move it over enough to equal the distance from your balde to the edge of the shoe on the saw. See attached pic

Junkman · Apr 4, 2004

a picture is worth 1000 words...... thanks inspector...

mopower440 · Apr 4, 2004

ok i see, thanks!

California · Apr 5, 2004

One last point:

If possible, layout your cut so that the ragged cut edge is lapped underneath the last full sheet. You want the clean factory edge visible at the end of the roof.

riptides · Apr 5, 2004

You have got great advice on this. I used a circular saw and some metal cutting disc I picked up at the local HD. I don't know the name of the disc, but it did say metal. It throws out a lot of sparks and wears itself down to nothing in a hurry. The good part is since it is an abrasive cut, it sort of leaves you without those sharp edges.

I ended up cutting both the long 20' length and 3' width of a run-in I put up with these. They worked great.

And before you all bust on me about proper planning for these cuts, /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif this run-in was left overs from the previous projects on our home site. So I had various lengths of metal
laying about. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Honest. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Inspector507 · Apr 5, 2004

California,
The biggest problem with that is, the ridges and pattern probably will not line up. That is unless he's using the corrugated steel with ridges every 2", then again there's no need to cut that anyway. Just overlap the last piece.

mopower440 · Apr 5, 2004

inspector507, you are correct, i am using the master rib and the ribs are closer to 10" apart, so when i cut it, unfortunately, the cut end will be whats overhanging the gables and will be visible, i wish there was a way to put the cut end under the previous panel, but this panel actually overlaps the previous one.. I guess im going to go with the clamping the pice of wood to the metal and using it to keep the saw running straight, but im afraid i wont be able to find a straight piece of wood, every last peice we have bought for this project has been bent and bowed, every last one, so im gonna have a time finding a good straight one, ive been trying to think of something else to screw down to the metal to use for a straight edge., no ideas though.
I thought of another problem also, the ridgecap, it sets on top of the high ribs on the metal, on the rear gable, the metal im cutting will end up flat on the gable, therefore, the cap wont have the high ribs to sit on right at the gable end, should i get some sort of spacers to put under it at the very end to act as the ribs would have? at the front of the building, the roofing starts with a rib, at the rear of the building, the metal will end with a flat section.