Cutting roof sheet with wire - GIF

[odd one]

The wire idea is not a bad one, but you really don't need the wire, just score a line with a box knife then rip the sheet by holding down 1 edge and pulling up on the other.

That is how I acquired a 6" scar on my lower leg. Pull up the sheet to rip and step forward to progress. After awhile, you can rip a sheet following a sharpie line without needing to score the sheet. A moment of inattention however, and that ripped edge is like a razor blade. I felt it bounce off of my shin bone, but it was so sharp, there was no pain. I used to put up metal buildings in Texas "Pakastani style" wearing shorts.....but not sandals. Would not change a thing.

[Frank S]

That is how I acquired a 6" scar on my lower leg. Pull up the sheet to rip and step forward to progress. After awhile, you can rip a sheet following a sharpie line without needing to score the sheet. A moment of inattention however, and that ripped edge is like a razor blade. I felt it bounce off of my shin bone, but it was so sharp, there was no pain. I used to put up metal buildings in Texas "Pakastani style" wearing shorts.....but not sandals. Would not change a thing.

I'm not even sure Gillette can make their razor blades as sharp as roofing metal that has been ripped to size. I used to use a straight edge and a box knife to score the length of a sheet then fold up[ and down a couple times to break off the excess at the end of a roof. No power tool can cut faster. I've used circular saws with the blade on backwards. Does a great job but even military noise canceling ear muffs can't reduce than noise to a comfort level for me.

[odd one]

I've used circular saws with the blade on backwards. Does a great job but even military noise canceling ear muffs can't reduce than noise to a comfort level for me.

Your not joking about that noise. I do not think I have ever created a louder racket than that, not to mention the shrapnel that it would throw even with an enclosed metal saw. I ended up buying a guillotine type sheer with the dies/blades of the profile of metal that I used....but that had its own issues.

[Frank S]

I ended up buying a guillotine type sheer with the dies/blades of the profile of metal that I used....but that had its own issues.

Did yours have a good clamp down for the sheet? I bought one that didn't have a good clamp. After I made a full profile clamp for it and converted it to hydraulic instead of manual it became a pleasure to cut dozens of sheets per day. We had it mounted on the rear of a trailer.

[nova_robotics]

I've used circular saws with the blade on backwards.

Can you elaborate on that? This trick is new to me but it sounds super interesting. I'm guessing you were not using carbide tipped blades?

[Frank S]

Can you elaborate on that? This trick is new to me but it sounds super interesting. I'm guessing you were not using carbide tipped blades?

No not carbide tipped. A regular blade preferably one you would rather throw away than think about sharpening Just install it backwards and go for it.
I've used chainsaws as demolition saws by flipping the chain and bar upside down to cut a door into the side of a building.