expanded metal cutting

[workinallthetime]

hey fellow tbn dudes i have to build some lockable boxes for my trailer and plan on using expanded metal for the surface area. What kind of creative ideas do you guys have for cutting it? i have a grinder, sawzall, and bolt cutters. my torch is empty ugg, any ideas?
also post any pics you might have of boxes you have built for your trailers so i can steal your ideas i plan on locking up edgers and blowers
thanx fellas

 

[wushaw]

The grinder with a cutting disk will work just fine.

 

[BTDT]

Do you already have the metal? If you have to go purchase, maybe they will cut it for you if you give them the dimensions. How about a pic of the trailer you want it to go on.

 

[tantoy]

Worm drive Skil saw with 7 1/4 " fiber wheel. Hard to cut with torch or plasma.

 

[soarkrebel1]

tantoy speaks the truth. easy way I have found!

 

[GIJOE]

Plasma cutter. Cuts it like butter.

 

[cm2ncfsu2]

The skilsaw works great. You can put a straight edge down and get a nice straight cut. I don't have a metal bandsaw or a cut off saw, so I have one skilsaw that does nothing but cut metal.

 

[oldhippy]

One way to cut expanded metal is to use a stick welder. Just touch each spot to cut. Does a great job. Run the welder hot. big dan

 

[weldingisfun]

I have an old skilsaw with metal cutting blade used just for cutting thin metals. It works great on expanded. Just as previously stated, use a straight edge guide and you'll get a nice cut.

 

[sandman2234]

Seems the racks I see on many lawn service people's trailers would be better than just piling them in an expanded metal box.
Both are lockable, but the rack gives you an insight to when one was left lying next to a tree instead of being put back in the box. If I were going to build a box, I would use solid metal to keep the weather out and prying eyes away.

David from jax