Most people would think it is easy to cut galvanized wire but there are actually a number of things to keep in mind when doing so. The first of those is which tool would be best suited for cutting galvanized wire.
The best tool for cutting heavy gauge galvanized wire is a bolt cutter. This tool can be a little awkward, depending upon the positioning of the wire but it is going to cut through it easier than many other tools, some of which could be damaged in the process.
Aside from the fact that a bolt cutter is likely the tool that you will use for cutting through heavy gauge wire, there are other considerations for galvanized wire depending upon the size.
As you will see in this article, you have many different choices that range from a quality pair of house scissors to a hacksaw or bolt cutters. Each of these has a place, with some of them being better suited for thin galvanized wire and others being suited for heavy gauge wire.
What Can You Use To Cut Galvanized Wire? (How To)
Galvanized wire is preferred in many outdoor applications because it tends to last a lot longer than regular wire. Since many types of wire will rust when exposed to the elements, having it galvanized means that it will be less likely to get corroded in that way.
In addition to lasting longer, the layer of zinc that is on the outside of galvanized wire makes it shinier and brighter. This is also preferred in many different applications, especially when it is being used for both its longevity and for the way that it looks.
In fact, if you have galvanized wire and the coating is not damaged, you can expect it to last up to five decades in some cases. At the same time, it is a low-maintenance product because the outer layer protects the inner layer.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that cutting galvanized steel wire is without its problems. For example, if you are cutting it with a torch or with a tool that heats up the metal, you may have to deal with zinc fumes.
Zinc fumes can be toxic and in some cases, they can lead to an issue that is known as ‘metal fume fever.’ Although that sickness only lasts for a day or so, it occurs as a result of exposure to zinc fumes and it can make you feel really poorly while it is taking place.
That is why it is a good idea to protect yourself from any zinc dust or fumes that may be in the air. Not only can they harm the respiratory system if they are in concentrated amounts, but you might also experience issues with your skin, such as dermatitis or chemical rashes.
The best thing to do is to wear the proper PPE when working with galvanized wire, especially if you’re cutting a lot of it. This would go beyond protecting your eyes with safety glasses.
Wearing a respirator, at a minimum an N95 will help to protect your respiratory system. You might also consider wearing goggles, a long sleeve shirt, and a quality pair of gloves.
The glove selection is really up to you personally but most people find that either a good pair of Cutlass gloves or some all-purpose gloves will be well suited. They give you the dexterity necessary to work all day long while still offering some protection from the sharp metal and zinc dust.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the different tools that can be used for cutting galvanized wire. We will also discuss the proper way to cut it, depending upon the circumstances and the gauge of the wire.
Can You Cut Galvanized Wire With Circular Saw?
A circular saw is one of the tools that we tend to have in our toolbox, regardless of whether we do heavy construction or not. Can you use a circular saw for cutting galvanized wire?
A circular saw can cut through galvanized wire but it is not the best tool for the job. For the most part, a circular saw is too cumbersome and there are some safety issues associated with using it for this purpose.
If you are going to use a circular saw for cutting through a galvanized wire, you need to ensure that you are using the right type of blade. A standard blade may work for thin wire but if it is heavy gauged, you should use a blade that is better suited for that purpose.
In addition, you should also ensure that the wire is securely held in place with either a vice or another device that would keep it from moving during the time it was being cut.
Can You Cut Galvanized Wire With Chop Saw?
We might use a chop saw for cutting through wood but can it be used for cutting galvanized wire?
If you have a chop saw that is properly equipped with the right type of blade, it can be used for cutting galvanized wire. For the most part, you would only cut single strands of wire with a chop saw and not multiple strands, such as with a fence.
The best time to use a chop saw for cutting galvanized wire is if the wire is very thick and you need to cut small pieces. If that is the case, it can often be cut with a chop saw easier than using bolt cutters.
Can You Cut Galvanized Wire With A Torch?
We sometimes use a torch for working with metal but is it the right choice for cutting through galvanized wire?
Although a torch can be used for cutting galvanized wire, it is not the best choice for doing so. When you heat up the zinc coating with a torch, it will put off fumes that could lead to illness on the part of the person working.
In addition, a torch can be used on thin pieces of galvanized wire but for thicker pieces, it is more likely to cause additional issues, such as causing the wire to deform. It is best if you use manual cutters for galvanized wire.
Can You Cut Galvanized Wire With Grinder?
If you have a bench grinder, you may use it for a variety of purposes but can it be used for cutting galvanized wire?
A bench grinder is not the best choice for cutting galvanized wire. It is usually used for shaping material and not for cutting, so it probably doesn’t have the right wheel in place.
In addition, you will generally find that it is easier to take the tool to where you are working on the galvanized wire rather than taking it to a bench where you will cut it with a stationary tool.
Can You Cut Galvanized Wire With Angle Grinder?
An angle grinder is one of the more convenient tools we have in our toolbox. Is it convenient enough to be used for galvanized wire?
You can use an angle grinder for cutting through galvanized wire easily. As long as it is equipped with the right type of blade, which would cut through metal, you can use it all day long for cutting galvanized metal and other objects on the job site.
It is important to consider the heat of the material you are cutting. Because you are creating sparks, you can be creating a hazard and that is doubly so because you are cutting galvanized metal.
In addition, you should allow the blade to cool off on occasion to prevent it from overheating and the possibility of a fire.
Can You Cut Galvanized Wire With Plasma Cutter?
If you have a plasma cutter, can you use it for cutting through galvanized wire?
A plasma cutter will do well cutting through thin pieces of galvanized wire but it is not the best choice for thick wire. It is also probably not going to be a convenient tool to set up and use when you could simply use a pair of side cutters or a hacksaw for this purpose.
Can You Cut Galvanized Wire With Sawzall?
If you have a Sawzall available, can it be used for cutting through galvanized wire?
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 25, 2022.
Reciprocating saws, including a Sawzall, can cut through galvanized wire easily. You should have the right type of blade on the reciprocating saw so it cuts through the wire rather than pulling it. In addition, you need to consider the power of the tool, which may be too much for some jobs.
Most people use reciprocating saws to cut through material in place. This would include a wide variety of construction materials, such as wood and PVC pipes.
It does a good job at cutting through the material but when it comes to cutting through a galvanized wire, there may be times when it is too much tool for the job. Sometimes, it may just be best if you back down and use something smaller, such as a hacksaw.
Can You Cut Galvanized Wire With Dremel?
If you want to use a Dremel tool for cutting galvanized wire, will you have problems?
There is no issue with cutting galvanized wire using a Dremel tool. Both the smaller tools that are used for crafting purposes and the larger Dremel tools will do well with this type of project.
Always make sure you are using the right type of abrasive cutting blade or wheel when using a Dremel tool for cutting metal. They are easy to swap out and if you try to use the wrong wheel, it will not give you the best results.
Can You Cut Galvanized Wire With Hook Blade?
We may use a hook blade for cutting through a number of different types of material, including roofing shingles and flooring. Can it also be used for cutting through galvanized wire?
You would not want to use a hook blade for cutting through galvanized wire. More than likely, the wire would simply move out of the way or would bend before it was cut. In addition, hook blades are not specifically made for this purpose.
There are some blades that may work well but a standard blade, such as a hook blade or a utility knife will not be the best tool for cutting through galvanized wire. Perhaps if you were cutting through a very thin gauge of wire, it may work but it is still not going to be the best tool for the job.
It is always best if you choose a tool that is going to work well under the circumstances. Put the hook blade aside and use a pair of tin snips instead.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 25, 2022.
Can You Cut Galvanized Wire With Reciprocating Saw?
Is it possible to use a reciprocating saw to cut galvanized wire?
A reciprocating saw is capable of cutting through galvanized wire but it is not the better choice for the project. You will end up causing more damage and perhaps ruining the wire before it actually cuts.
If you are going to use a reciprocating saw for this purpose, make sure that you use a blade that is well-suited for cutting through metal. That will give you a better opportunity to cut the wire successfully.
How To Cut Galvanized Wire Properly
Now that we have discussed some tools that could be used and others that should not be used for cutting galvanized wire, it’s important to discuss some specifics about cutting it. There is a right way and a wrong way to do it, and below we provide you with the proper methods.
Cutting Thin Galvanized Wire – If you are cutting thin galvanized wire, such as chicken mesh or screening, you don’t need a heavy-duty tool. In fact, you may even be able to cut through the thin wire with a pair of house scissors.
Then again, I would always recommend that you use something stronger than household scissors because you can quickly ruin a pair of scissors if you are cutting wire that is a little too thick. It is a better idea to grab some wire cutters or perhaps even a pair of Kleins for this purpose.
While cutting the thin galvanized wire, keep your non-cutting hand out in front but be careful not to get too close to the cutting edge. Wear a good pair of all-purpose gloves or Cutlass gloves.
As you cut through the mesh, pull the wire apart gently to allow the tool to continue on in its path. After cutting it, gently bend the wire over to keep it from cutting or poking anyone.
Cutting Medium Galvanized Wire – For galvanized wire that may be up to 18 gauge, you can use a good pair of wire cutters or snips. This tool is especially suited for the purpose because you can cut off to the side and continue to cut each individual piece.
When using a wire cutter, you will have a side of the tool that is flush and another side that is concave. Use the flush side of the tool to get as close to the weld point as you can when cutting so you don’t leave a piece sticking off that could either scratch or poke someone.
Another tool that can be used for this purpose is a good set of tin snips. The benefit of using a good pair of snips is that you can go through multiple pieces of galvanized wire at one time rather than cutting each individual piece.
The downside of using tin snips is that you can’t quite get as accurate as you can with wire cutters. You may end up with some burrs, which need to be bent back or filed down.
Cutting Heavy Galvanized Wire – When you are cutting any heavy galvanized wire, you should use a good set of bolt cutters. Keep in mind that bolt cutters come in a number of different sizes, so some are going to be easier to work with and others may be awkward.
You should also plan on it taking a little longer to use a bolt cutter because you have to open the tool wide each time and support one side of the tool while the other is pressed. It will go through heavy gauge galvanized wire very easily.
Another option for cutting through a thick wire is to use a hacksaw. You will have to stabilize the wire mesh in some way while doing so because it will simply move with the hacksaw if you don’t. Continue to work your way down from one strand to the next so you don’t get off track and start in a new line.
If you have to cut some galvanized wire, one of the best tools to use is a pair of wire cutters. This tool can cut both small and medium-sized galvanized wire but if you have thick wire, you should use either a hacksaw or a bolt cutter.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 25, 2022.