The Best Cutting Tools for Metal Roofing Ranked

Every metal roofer knows that having great cutting tools is vital to make your job easier and faster to complete. Cutting tools are one of the first things that a metal roofer invests in. Cheap or incorrect cutting methods can lead to rusted edges, warped panels, and unnecessary touch ups. Quality of cut is just as important as speed and efficiency. This blog aims to show you the variety of cutting tools that we offer at Stortz Tools and explain why it might make sense to invest into your cutting tools sooner rather than later.

What Makes a Good Tool for Cutting Metal Roofing?

Good cutting tools can be evaluated on a couple criterion. They are:

Clean Cuts

It’s important that you are getting burr free edges that are not damaging to the painted finish of your roof system.

Speed and Efficiency

Speed of cutting makes a massive difference when you are on the jobsite. Time saving is paramount when judging cutting tools.

Durability

One of the most complained about issues that our metal roofers face is that their snips don’t last long enough. Cutting metal panels may be the norm in this line of work, but it is still a difficult task that will wear out tools more than we like to admit. The more durable your cutting tool, the longer it will keep its sharp edges for clean cutting and then less you need to worry about it.

Safety

Cutting metal panels can cause a safety hazard. Especially when power tools get introduced to cut through layers of metal. Tool safety is always top of mind when designing cutting tools.

 

Metal Roofing Cutting Tools Ranked (best to worst)

Below are the ranked cutting tool categories from best to worst. Cost is obviously a factor when someone is deciding on their cutting needs. One can see that the more they are willing to spend on their cutting capabilities, the easier their life will be on the jobsite. Let’s begin:

1. Buschman Roll Cutter  

Pros:

• Uses Cutting Rollers: Roll cutting, as opposed to shears or saw blades, minimize stress and will give you a very clean edge.
• Speed: This device will cut faster than you can follow it
• Capacity: Works well up to 22ga (.8mm) steel or 26ga stainless steel thickness
• Accuracy: Even without the guide rail, the Roll Cutter is easily capable of following a straight line

Cons:

• Price: This is a premium cutting tool and is priced that way

Summary

The Buschmann Roll Cutter is a superior cutting tool. I recommend this tool for any metal roofer that works in either flat or striated panels and is consistently working with metal day in and day out. Commonly used to cut panel lengths for terminating gable panels in 24ga steel (or similar) material.

 

 

2.Wuko Clipper

Pros:

• Factory edge cuts using high quality cutting wheels
• Able to make perfectly straight cuts using guides on flat panels or panels with 1″-2″ profiles. Ideal for cutting edge panels to specific width.

Cons:

• Price: This is an Austrian made top quality cutting product. It is priced as so.
• Has built in Metabo drill which works well, but is not as convenient as using your own shop drill.

Summary

The Wuko Clipper makes really nice cuts that can be to exact sizes. The two guide options can be explained in the video on the product page to show how one if ideal for flat sheets and the other for profiled edges.

 

3. Malco Rotary Shear

Pros:

• Uses Cutting Rollers: Similar to the Roll Cutter above, the cutting rollers leave a smooth, clean cutting edge
• Capacity: Works well up to 22ga steel or stainless steel thickness
• Versatility: The Rotary Shear can roll over profiles in corrugated panels which adds to it’s functionality
• Price: This cutter is priced competitively for what it is

Cons:

• Design: The Roll Cutter has multiple plastic drill connective parts that can become damaged if mishandled.

Summary:

Due to the price point, I think that literally every metal roofer should own one of these Malco Rotary Shears. Being able to cut metal quickly is a valuable asset on the jobsite and this tool is simple so anyone can use it.

4. Malco Turbo Shear (TSHD1)

Pros:

• Price: This tool is inexpensive and accessible to nearly all budgets
• Easy of use: Because this is a drill powered tool, it operated like powered snips and keeps your arms feeling fresh

Cons:

• Cut Quality: Due to the shearing stress, the panel edge will have a slight waviness. Not an issue if bending or hemming that edge.
• Accuracy: Can be a little difficult to follow a perfectly straight line

Summary

The Malco Turbo Shear is an inexpensive way to stop using snips for lengthy cuts. Its most attractive feature is its price point. Only $150.00 makes this item very attractive to the new metal roofer, or the DIY enthusiast. 

 

5. Tin Snips

Pros:

• Accuracy: Snips give the user full control of the cutting accuracy. With patience and care, you should be able to cut in a line of follow a template.
• Capacity: Most snips are rated for 18ga mild steel. This is deceiving as I wouldn’t recommend cutting anything thicker than 22ga. The harder and thicker the material, the faster you will wear your snips
• Price: Decent pairs of snips are within reach at almost every hardware store. At Stortz Tools, we carry Stubai brand (premium European snips) as well as Midwest brand, which we consider premium domestic snips, as well as many others.

Cons:

• Speed: Impossible to quickly cut longer lengths. Not to mention it will crush your forearms in the process.

Summary

Tin snips are a must for every metal worker. We recommend having a high quality pair of smooth blade snips for working with natural metals, as well as a pair of serrated blade snips for working with heavier gauge metals that may be tougher on your blades.

6. Circular Saw Blade

Pros:

• Speed: Once set up, this method can quickly cut metal
• Capacity: Works on thicker metals up to 16ga

Cons:

• Safety: Cutting metal in this capacity has a higher potential for serious injury. Gloves and eyewear are a must!
• Quality: This method of cutting is not commonly seen for standing seam roofing. The edge quality can be poor and the high cutting temperature can ward your metals paint warranty and lead to rusting on the edges

Summary:

The circular saw should only be coming out when you are working with corrugated materials that are most likely being put on agricultural buildings like barns or something similar. The cut can be rough and the excessive heat that is created from the blade contact can damage the paint coating at the metal edge which ultimately will lead to rusting of certain metals.

I don’t recommend this method for majority of standing seam metal roofing 

FAQ 

What is the best tool for cutting metal roofing panels?

The optimal tool for cutting flat metal panels in 24ga or thinner is the Buschmann Roll Cutter because of it’s speed, quality of cut, and maneuverability.

How many cutting options will I need on a metal roofing job?

Many roofers will have multiple cutting options on a jobsite. Snips are a 100% must. From there we recommend owning a powered cutting tool, whether a nibbler, shear, or roll cutter.

Can you cut metal roofing with a circular saw?

You can cut metal roofing with a circular saw, but I would avoid doing so on any project that you want optimal results.

Are tin snips good for cutting long panels?

Tin snips will provide a reliable cut and can be used for long panels. Your forearms may disagree 🙂