Cutting diamond plate

[sealslayer]

Whats the best way to cut this stuff? I've been reading up and a few people say a jigsaw and others say a circular saw.
Would I need a special metal cutting blade for the circular saw?, I'd like to go down this route as the circular saw would give a straighter cut than my sloppy free hand with the jigsaw 

[somunny]

Are they straight cuts?  If so, maybe you could take the piece to a local metal shop.  I doubt they'd charge you much for a few cuts.

[sealslayer]

I'm looking at having to buy a large sheet and cut it into lots of smaller straight sections with angled edges, I think it would work out too costly for them to cut it all.
Besides I would like to have a go myself, I just dont want to destroy my circular saw in the process 

[leapinlew]

I'm looking at having to buy a large sheet and cut it into lots of smaller straight sections with angled edges, I think it would work out too costly for them to cut it all.
Besides I would like to have a go myself, I just dont want to destroy my circular saw in the process 

I've cut metal using a metal blade and a jigsaw. It's slow, hot cutting...  With the cuts your doing, sounds like you can take some practice cuts at it.

[GoPodular.com]

If you do use a circular saw, you'll need a metal cutting blade.

[_) (V) (-)]

Your best bet would be to use a shear press.

Would cut through 8 ft of 1/4 thick material in about 1 second.


Perfect straight cuts too. Might be cheeper (than burning up blades) and quicker to find someone in a metal shop to do this for you.

[Jetto Funk]

I was thinking of doing diamond plate for my cab but I dunno where to find it *Home depot and lowes and strikes so far*
How much did you pay for it?

[sealslayer]

Only place I could find that sells it is a small hardware shop,none of the main chain stores over here seem to sell it, its not cheap though,

[GoPodular.com]

You can get pieces suitable for smaller panels (like ours) at Menards.

[dudebozo]

i remember seeing someone how had diamond plate as like a kickplate on their mame cabinet.  i asked him where he got it cause it seems like no where around where i live carries it.  this is the website that he gave me.  he said they were pretty dang good. 

http://www.cutsmetal.com/index.htm

[spacies]

Use a skill saw with a metal cutting blade.
Also, since its an alloy, a skillsaw with a plastic guard will be ok otherwise if you are cutting steel the steel melts to the plastic and can cause damage to the saw.

Use something straight as a guide for your cuts. Clamp it at both ends and run you skill saw along the guide and you will have very straight cuts. Also remember to let the tool do the work, not your shoulders.

Good luck!

[severdhed]

this may not work for what you are doing, but i know alot of people express interest in diamond plate.  I picked up a roll of plastic diamond plate the other day for $5.  it is 30" x 48".  I got it at a discount store called Ollies (only in north east us)  It is called Dura-Tread made by a companly called Electra. I cant seem to find it online...it appears to be an automotive product...they show it being cut to make custom floor mats and such.  It is a firm but flexible plastic, with a metallic finish.  I covered my control panel with it and it turned out pretty well.  I have seen it in the normal silver, and also in blue metallic.  i went with the blue.  For those of you who want to do some accent work, you may be able to find it at an autoparts store.

here is a pic i took earlier tonight, i have since trimmed up some corners and done some other things to the cabinet (removed film on plexiglass).  I would take a better one now, but im out of batteries and my camera is dead.

[NightGod]

Yeah, Menards carries diamond plate (and so does Lowe's, at least every one I've ever been in (four different ones in two states). But it's expensive as hell through a retail outlet and you end up having to cut yourself. I'm still considering some for a kick panel, and I'll DEFINATELY be ordering through cutsmetal.com