Thread: This is the tip of the year I reckon-tearing corr. iron

I used the snip and rip method on the cladding for a 9m x 6m shed a week ago. Ripped all the gable end sheets at the requisite 15 degrees no probs. Then drove a stake in the ground, drilled a 1/4 inch hole at ground level wrapped some tie wire around a bolt - the other end around a pine offcut, laid the sheets on the wide and ripped 4 sheets in half lengthwise real quick 'n' easy. The owner was fascinated to see the sheets cut like paper. Chuck the tin snips in the bin.

Originally Posted by Fat Chili

Clintons method is what I was taught to use whilst wearing a green uniform for 12 years, works extremely well.

"Green uniform" Worried about that if it was surgery gown. If you were in the slammer I wouldn't want to have shared your cell mate... If it was a tree huggers uniform you should have garotted yourself....

I usually snip a start cut on either side of the cut line with tin snips, this makes a start rip easier and gives you something to "aim" for, and makes the rip end clean

Wow, old thread I know. But I was wondering today what was the best way to cut some corrug colourbond roofing to size to make a cover for our outdoor water pump. Stumbled across this thread and what do you know, it does work!.

Just made the 1st inch cut with tin snips and then tear away, didn't know you could do that to corrugated roofing.

Nice one, hoo roo

BE CAREFUL!

The first time I have seen this done the person was wearing jandels.
This made quite a mess when he kicked the corner and needed stiches on his big toe.

It's 6 years on and you guys ROCK! Great tip...this has been the simplest part of repairing the leaking bathroom roof under our deck. My eternal gratitude. and for those mentally challenged like me and can't work out how you stretch the extra 2 metres to bend the iron up to the required length!!!! You don't...you tear it sideways (or laterally). Yes I get that this is obvious, but there might be one other dill like me who did not not "get" Geometry at school. Can't believe it 4 mins for 2 sheets, most spent carrying the 6m lengths to a flat area. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou.

LOL.

This is a blast from the past.

And I was thinking it was lengthways. Doh.

Originally Posted by Clinton1

we rip it down the length of the sheet by laying the sheet over a piece of wire. One end of the wire is tied off at ground level to a star picket (driven into the ground), the other end of the wire is hitched to a bit of stick.
Line the sheet up over the wire, and pull the wire up and back. Its pretty neat when you get the right 'speed' happening.
Can be used for cutting across the corrugations as well, if you want.
When I first saw it I thought the bloke telling me was being a smartar... till I saw it.

that's similar to how we did it when i was a kid (late 50's early 60's) ... except we put a small nick either end and had the wire tied around a couple of small sticks ... one was a good handle to pull the wire up and the other caught in the nick to give it purchase ... mkaes a nice straight cut


regards david

I read this post a couple of years back.
I have torn sheets in this manner a few times now, still cant believe how easy it is.

Still a great tip though.