Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
- Chris_Allen
- Posts: 3358
- Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:43 pm
- Location: Huddersfield, UK
Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
I have plenty of tools, just wondering which is the best method.
Jigsaw? Angle Grinder? New cutting disc in the table saw?
Jigsaw? Angle Grinder? New cutting disc in the table saw?
Built:
6xDR200, 2xT39, 2xT48, 2xJack110, 1xOmni10.5, 1xAutotuba, 1xT18, 1xSLA Pro, 1xW8, 1xW10
6xDR200, 2xT39, 2xT48, 2xJack110, 1xOmni10.5, 1xAutotuba, 1xT18, 1xSLA Pro, 1xW8, 1xW10
-
- Posts: 8539
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
- Location: New Braunfels, TX
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
Chris_Allen wrote:I have plenty of tools, just wondering which is the best method.
Jigsaw? Angle Grinder? New cutting disc in the table saw?
Jigsaw with a fine metal blade. Sandwich the grill between two boards right on your cut line.....use the boards as your guide. Quick and easy.
6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210
"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."
- Bill Fitzmaurice
- Site Admin
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Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
Circular saw with an abrasive blade, using a saw sled. Screw the grille to the underside of the sled.
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
tin snips.
Built:
2x Tuba 30s delta12lf loaded (gone)
4x Otop12 d2512 loaded
8x t48s (18, 18, 24, 24, 30, 30) 3015lf loaded
2x AT (1 mcm, 1 gto 804)
2x SLA Pro (dayton pa6, 6 goldwood piezo loaded)
1x bastard XF208
2x OT212 (delta pro 450a loaded, eminence psd)
2x Tuba 30s delta12lf loaded (gone)
4x Otop12 d2512 loaded
8x t48s (18, 18, 24, 24, 30, 30) 3015lf loaded
2x AT (1 mcm, 1 gto 804)
2x SLA Pro (dayton pa6, 6 goldwood piezo loaded)
1x bastard XF208
2x OT212 (delta pro 450a loaded, eminence psd)
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- Posts: 566
- Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:03 am
- Location: Saint-Pie, Quebec, Canada
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
I use a large metal snips. It works great and fast enough, but you have to take precautions not to bend the sheet while you cut. I will try the jigsaw method next time.
Frédéric Gélinas, HF Audio
Authorized Builder
HFAudio.ca
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Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
Authorized Builder
HFAudio.ca
Free tone Generator
Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- LelandCrooks
- Posts: 7242
- Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 9:36 am
- Location: Midwest/Kansas/Speaker Nirvana
- Contact:
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
My Bosch powers shears. 

If it's too loud, you're even older than me! Like me.
http://www.speakerhardware.com
http://www.speakerhardware.com
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
Plasma cutter
BFM builds:
XF212
T24 BP102 24"
2x SLA's 6-5" mids, 9- gt-302's
2x AT 14" MCM 55-2421
TrT 5" MCM 55-2421
AT 18" JBL GTO804
2x OT12 flat array
2x SLA Pro 2-Alpha 6's 2-Goldwoods
2x T39 24" 3012lf
Simplex 10 BP102
XF212
T24 BP102 24"
2x SLA's 6-5" mids, 9- gt-302's
2x AT 14" MCM 55-2421
TrT 5" MCM 55-2421
AT 18" JBL GTO804
2x OT12 flat array
2x SLA Pro 2-Alpha 6's 2-Goldwoods
2x T39 24" 3012lf
Simplex 10 BP102
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
Dremel? It's what I used. TBH any small variations on the cut line (and they are small <1mm) soon disappear when you put the grille on the cab. I even started cutting in the row of holes above the row I should have cut... it's missing about 3 or 4 holes, and does not notice.
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
Squaring shear. 

Good food, good people, good times.
4 - AT
1 - TT
1 - THT Slim
2 - SLA Pro 4x6 Alphalite
4 - AT
1 - TT
1 - THT Slim
2 - SLA Pro 4x6 Alphalite
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
+1 For straight cuts, this is quick and accurate.Bill Fitzmaurice wrote:Circular saw with an abrasive blade, using a saw sled. Screw the grille to the underside of the sled.
I know money often seals the deal, but seriously, quality is an investment, not an expense... Grant Bunter
Accept the fact that airtight and well-braced are more important than pretty on the inside. Bill Fitzmaurice
Accept the fact that airtight and well-braced are more important than pretty on the inside. Bill Fitzmaurice
- Harley
- Posts: 5758
- Joined: Mon May 08, 2006 2:45 pm
- Location: Christchurch, New Zealand - Authorised BFM Cab Builder
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
Sheet metal guillotine
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
Angle grinder with a thin cutting disc.Chris_Allen wrote:I have plenty of tools, just wondering which is the best method.
Jigsaw? Angle Grinder? New cutting disc in the table saw?
Tomorrow I'm going to stop procrastinating - WB
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
Hello stranger! It's been a long time since you've posted!WB wrote:Angle grinder with a thin cutting disc.Chris_Allen wrote:I have plenty of tools, just wondering which is the best method.
Jigsaw? Angle Grinder? New cutting disc in the table saw?
TomS
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
Hey there Tom, glad to see you're going strong. Took a peek around to see what's new and was pleasantly surprised to see Leland has flat packs. Hmmmm ..... looks like some more cabs in my future.Tom Smit wrote: Hello stranger! It's been a long time since you've posted!
Tomorrow I'm going to stop procrastinating - WB
- Chris_Allen
- Posts: 3358
- Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:43 pm
- Location: Huddersfield, UK
Re: Preferred method of cutting metal grilles
Thanks for the mass of variation on options, it would appear that there isn't really a 'best' option and I just need to use the tools I have.
Built:
6xDR200, 2xT39, 2xT48, 2xJack110, 1xOmni10.5, 1xAutotuba, 1xT18, 1xSLA Pro, 1xW8, 1xW10
6xDR200, 2xT39, 2xT48, 2xJack110, 1xOmni10.5, 1xAutotuba, 1xT18, 1xSLA Pro, 1xW8, 1xW10