Kdtyjb

Sundering Titan and basic normal lands and snow lands

What is brightness?

Named nets not connected in Eagle board design

What is the purpose of a disclaimer like "this is not legal advice"?

Create chunks from an array

The past tense for the quoting particle って

How do you make a gun that shoots melee weapons and/or swords?

Giving a talk in my old university, how prominently should I tell students my salary?

What can I do if someone tampers with my SSH public key?

Searching for a string that contains the file name

DC input on op amp integrator

Should we avoid writing fiction about historical events without extensive research?

Can you run a ground wire from stove directly to ground pole in the ground

Did Amazon pay $0 in taxes last year?

PTIJ: Aliyot for the deceased

If nine coins are tossed, what is the probability that the number of heads is even?

Naming Characters after Friends/Family

A bug in Excel? Conditional formatting for marking duplicates also highlights unique value

Under what conditions would I NOT add my Proficiency Bonus to a Spell Attack Roll (or Saving Throw DC)?

How do we objectively assess if a dialogue sounds unnatural or cringy?

Computing the volume of a simplex-like object with constraints

“I had a flat in the centre of town, but I didn’t like living there, so …”

In the world of The Matrix, what is "popping"?

How to roleplay my character's ethics according to the DM when I don't understand those ethics?

What's the best tool for cutting holes into duct work?

Is running ethernet cable through an air return allowed under US code?180º/gooseneck/u-shaped cold air return?Can I move second-floor duct-work from the floor to the atticHow can I increase the effectiveness of the A/C in a hot 2nd floor converted attic master suite?How to open this air return duct between joistsBaseboard air return installFurnace cold air return serving up crawlspace airNegative Pressure relief duct work for homeIs my whole-house humidifier installed and working as expected?Can I remove the top plate at top of an interior NLB wall?

6

1

I've cut a few supply and cold air returns into my main branches and it's been a PITA. Need to cut another 6" hole for a return, it's just standard rectangle ductwork, probably 14" wide x 10" high.

hvac

share|improve this question

asked 7 hours ago

BigLakeBigLake

947

New contributor

BigLake is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  What did you use last time, and what made it a PITA?
  
  – brhans
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Tried a few things, a hole saw (best option so far but it wasn't large enough so I had to cut it again), angle grinder (not good curvature and metal shavings all over), started a hole with drill bit and then went around with aviation snips (did not track well and deformed the metal). Just seeing if there's a common method for circular holes for a collar.
  
  – BigLake
  7 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Protip: Cut away, fold away, or cover all shards left behind from your cut. I'm currently healing from a full-depth finger slice on someone else's work, which was hidden behind a duct connector.
  
  – isherwood
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Also when cutting only turn your attack angle while squeezing the snips, never go back to make a turn or adjustment. If you do you will end up with very sharp curled up pieces of metal colloquially known as meat hooks.
  
  – Joe Fala
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nibbler
  
  – Sam
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

6

1

I've cut a few supply and cold air returns into my main branches and it's been a PITA. Need to cut another 6" hole for a return, it's just standard rectangle ductwork, probably 14" wide x 10" high.

hvac

share|improve this question

asked 7 hours ago

BigLakeBigLake

947

New contributor

BigLake is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  What did you use last time, and what made it a PITA?
  
  – brhans
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Tried a few things, a hole saw (best option so far but it wasn't large enough so I had to cut it again), angle grinder (not good curvature and metal shavings all over), started a hole with drill bit and then went around with aviation snips (did not track well and deformed the metal). Just seeing if there's a common method for circular holes for a collar.
  
  – BigLake
  7 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Protip: Cut away, fold away, or cover all shards left behind from your cut. I'm currently healing from a full-depth finger slice on someone else's work, which was hidden behind a duct connector.
  
  – isherwood
  7 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Also when cutting only turn your attack angle while squeezing the snips, never go back to make a turn or adjustment. If you do you will end up with very sharp curled up pieces of metal colloquially known as meat hooks.
  
  – Joe Fala
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nibbler
  
  – Sam
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

I've cut a few supply and cold air returns into my main branches and it's been a PITA. Need to cut another 6" hole for a return, it's just standard rectangle ductwork, probably 14" wide x 10" high.

hvac

share|improve this question

asked 7 hours ago

BigLakeBigLake

947

New contributor

BigLake is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

asked 7 hours ago

BigLakeBigLake

947

New contributor

BigLake is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

asked 7 hours ago

BigLakeBigLake

947

New contributor

BigLake is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

asked 7 hours ago

BigLakeBigLake

947

New contributor

BigLake is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

asked 7 hours ago

BigLakeBigLake

947

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

4

You might be able to rent a tool from a rental yard called a "nibbler"; you would start with a drilled hole and then the nibbler takes little semi-circular or rectangular bites out of the sheet metal. There are also inexpensive ones now that attach to a drill motor, one is shown in this video. He has troubles with it because he is trying to use it on corrugated sheet metal, you would not have that issue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt4O62qnHsk

share|improve this answer

edited 1 hour ago

answered 3 hours ago

J. RaefieldJ. Raefield

3,09428

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  That things actually pretty cool and looks inexpensive. I have several other styles but I think I may buy this one. +1
  
  – Joe Fala
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  15 Canadian dollars! Sold one click purchase.
  
  – Joe Fala
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Air shear are also very similar to a nibbler and inexpensive but usually air driven. ~30 CAD
  
  – Franck
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  As a tin banger snips are still the best, fastest and most accurate way to cut. But as I've gotten older I've been reaching for the power shears due to golfers/tennis elbow in both my arms. I used to be able to literally crush a walnut in my hand. Now I can barely hold a cup at times. I'm only 37.
  
  – Joe Fala
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

10

STEP ONE

Using a big flat screwdriver orienteded edgewise and a hammer. Strike the screwdriver swiftly and accurately to puncture the duct.

STEP TWO

Insert a Red pair of snips into the hole and nibble around turning to the left (Greens are pictured only because that's what was in front of me) in an expanding circle until you get to the line.

STEP THREE

Cut along your line all the way to the corner, with force turn and continue while gently pulling up on the scrap. Every 2-3 inches turn in off the line and make a relief cut and go back to the line. Once you get to the next corner you don't need relief cuts anymore.

COMPLETE THE CUT
Now it's easy, just cut along the line gently pulling up the scrap. If you are left handed, or only have greens feel free to use Greens but reverse the images. Yellows are designed to cut straight but are capable of cutting to the left like Reds

FOR CIRCULAR HOLES

The same process applies just without the relief cuts.

share|improve this answer

edited 7 hours ago

answered 7 hours ago

Joe FalaJoe Fala

2,344119

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  The best tool is a plasma cutter. Fast and clean but not many homeowners are going to shell out +1K for this type of cutting tool.
  
  – Ed Beal
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  harbor fright sells cutters for about half that. probably not the biggest workhorse around, but should be enough for duct work...
  
  – dandavis
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Life's too short not to own a plasma cutter.
  
  – Sidney
  54 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @Sidney the last time I seriously looked into buying one was about 15 years ago when I was still dumb enough to jump off of ladders. They were big, expensive and didn't offer a good quality cut. Thanks to this question I am back on the search.
  
  – Joe Fala
  51 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

Your Answer

StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "73"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});

function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});


}
});

BigLake is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.

draft saved

draft discarded

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Sign up using Google

Sign up using Facebook

Sign up using Email and Password

Post as a guest

Name

Email

Required, but never shown

StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fdiy.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f159300%2fwhats-the-best-tool-for-cutting-holes-into-duct-work%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest

Name

Email

Required, but never shown

4

You might be able to rent a tool from a rental yard called a "nibbler"; you would start with a drilled hole and then the nibbler takes little semi-circular or rectangular bites out of the sheet metal. There are also inexpensive ones now that attach to a drill motor, one is shown in this video. He has troubles with it because he is trying to use it on corrugated sheet metal, you would not have that issue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt4O62qnHsk

share|improve this answer

edited 1 hour ago

answered 3 hours ago

J. RaefieldJ. Raefield

3,09428

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  That things actually pretty cool and looks inexpensive. I have several other styles but I think I may buy this one. +1
  
  – Joe Fala
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  15 Canadian dollars! Sold one click purchase.
  
  – Joe Fala
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Air shear are also very similar to a nibbler and inexpensive but usually air driven. ~30 CAD
  
  – Franck
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  As a tin banger snips are still the best, fastest and most accurate way to cut. But as I've gotten older I've been reaching for the power shears due to golfers/tennis elbow in both my arms. I used to be able to literally crush a walnut in my hand. Now I can barely hold a cup at times. I'm only 37.
  
  – Joe Fala
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

4

You might be able to rent a tool from a rental yard called a "nibbler"; you would start with a drilled hole and then the nibbler takes little semi-circular or rectangular bites out of the sheet metal. There are also inexpensive ones now that attach to a drill motor, one is shown in this video. He has troubles with it because he is trying to use it on corrugated sheet metal, you would not have that issue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt4O62qnHsk

share|improve this answer

edited 1 hour ago

answered 3 hours ago

J. RaefieldJ. Raefield

3,09428

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  That things actually pretty cool and looks inexpensive. I have several other styles but I think I may buy this one. +1
  
  – Joe Fala
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  15 Canadian dollars! Sold one click purchase.
  
  – Joe Fala
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Air shear are also very similar to a nibbler and inexpensive but usually air driven. ~30 CAD
  
  – Franck
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  As a tin banger snips are still the best, fastest and most accurate way to cut. But as I've gotten older I've been reaching for the power shears due to golfers/tennis elbow in both my arms. I used to be able to literally crush a walnut in my hand. Now I can barely hold a cup at times. I'm only 37.
  
  – Joe Fala
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

You might be able to rent a tool from a rental yard called a "nibbler"; you would start with a drilled hole and then the nibbler takes little semi-circular or rectangular bites out of the sheet metal. There are also inexpensive ones now that attach to a drill motor, one is shown in this video. He has troubles with it because he is trying to use it on corrugated sheet metal, you would not have that issue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt4O62qnHsk

share|improve this answer

edited 1 hour ago

answered 3 hours ago

J. RaefieldJ. Raefield

3,09428

share|improve this answer

edited 1 hour ago

answered 3 hours ago

J. RaefieldJ. Raefield

3,09428

answered 3 hours ago

J. RaefieldJ. Raefield

3,09428

answered 3 hours ago

J. RaefieldJ. Raefield

3,09428

10

STEP ONE

Using a big flat screwdriver orienteded edgewise and a hammer. Strike the screwdriver swiftly and accurately to puncture the duct.

STEP TWO

Insert a Red pair of snips into the hole and nibble around turning to the left (Greens are pictured only because that's what was in front of me) in an expanding circle until you get to the line.

STEP THREE

Cut along your line all the way to the corner, with force turn and continue while gently pulling up on the scrap. Every 2-3 inches turn in off the line and make a relief cut and go back to the line. Once you get to the next corner you don't need relief cuts anymore.

COMPLETE THE CUT
Now it's easy, just cut along the line gently pulling up the scrap. If you are left handed, or only have greens feel free to use Greens but reverse the images. Yellows are designed to cut straight but are capable of cutting to the left like Reds

FOR CIRCULAR HOLES

The same process applies just without the relief cuts.

share|improve this answer

edited 7 hours ago

answered 7 hours ago

Joe FalaJoe Fala

2,344119

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  The best tool is a plasma cutter. Fast and clean but not many homeowners are going to shell out +1K for this type of cutting tool.
  
  – Ed Beal
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  harbor fright sells cutters for about half that. probably not the biggest workhorse around, but should be enough for duct work...
  
  – dandavis
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Life's too short not to own a plasma cutter.
  
  – Sidney
  54 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @Sidney the last time I seriously looked into buying one was about 15 years ago when I was still dumb enough to jump off of ladders. They were big, expensive and didn't offer a good quality cut. Thanks to this question I am back on the search.
  
  – Joe Fala
  51 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

10

STEP ONE

Using a big flat screwdriver orienteded edgewise and a hammer. Strike the screwdriver swiftly and accurately to puncture the duct.

STEP TWO

Insert a Red pair of snips into the hole and nibble around turning to the left (Greens are pictured only because that's what was in front of me) in an expanding circle until you get to the line.

STEP THREE

Cut along your line all the way to the corner, with force turn and continue while gently pulling up on the scrap. Every 2-3 inches turn in off the line and make a relief cut and go back to the line. Once you get to the next corner you don't need relief cuts anymore.

COMPLETE THE CUT
Now it's easy, just cut along the line gently pulling up the scrap. If you are left handed, or only have greens feel free to use Greens but reverse the images. Yellows are designed to cut straight but are capable of cutting to the left like Reds

FOR CIRCULAR HOLES

The same process applies just without the relief cuts.

share|improve this answer

edited 7 hours ago

answered 7 hours ago

Joe FalaJoe Fala

2,344119

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  The best tool is a plasma cutter. Fast and clean but not many homeowners are going to shell out +1K for this type of cutting tool.
  
  – Ed Beal
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  harbor fright sells cutters for about half that. probably not the biggest workhorse around, but should be enough for duct work...
  
  – dandavis
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Life's too short not to own a plasma cutter.
  
  – Sidney
  54 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @Sidney the last time I seriously looked into buying one was about 15 years ago when I was still dumb enough to jump off of ladders. They were big, expensive and didn't offer a good quality cut. Thanks to this question I am back on the search.
  
  – Joe Fala
  51 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

STEP ONE

Using a big flat screwdriver orienteded edgewise and a hammer. Strike the screwdriver swiftly and accurately to puncture the duct.

STEP TWO

Insert a Red pair of snips into the hole and nibble around turning to the left (Greens are pictured only because that's what was in front of me) in an expanding circle until you get to the line.

STEP THREE

Cut along your line all the way to the corner, with force turn and continue while gently pulling up on the scrap. Every 2-3 inches turn in off the line and make a relief cut and go back to the line. Once you get to the next corner you don't need relief cuts anymore.

COMPLETE THE CUT
Now it's easy, just cut along the line gently pulling up the scrap. If you are left handed, or only have greens feel free to use Greens but reverse the images. Yellows are designed to cut straight but are capable of cutting to the left like Reds

FOR CIRCULAR HOLES

The same process applies just without the relief cuts.

share|improve this answer

edited 7 hours ago

answered 7 hours ago

Joe FalaJoe Fala

2,344119

share|improve this answer

edited 7 hours ago

answered 7 hours ago

Joe FalaJoe Fala

2,344119

answered 7 hours ago

Joe FalaJoe Fala

2,344119

answered 7 hours ago

Joe FalaJoe Fala

2,344119