How to cut spiral ductwork

This video shows me cutting spiral ductwork three different ways. I also explain some of the pros and cons of a few of them. This is the way I do it, it’s usually a cleaner cut but I wanted to do it quick for the video. Thanks for watching please like comment and subscribe!

[@shanthaghnazarian1475]

Appreciate the content that you provide. Its pretty helpful.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Thank Im happy it’s helping

[@tedthethird_]

it’s not he does not know how to cut duct

[@BlakePizzey]

Nice work! Like what your doing. New sub.

[@samuelstufft2073]

I use the deep cut band saw. Works really well

[@hvacmania8323]

Sheers

[@bwaHAharandomHahA]

Thank you for this. I’m on a project that requires spiral duct which I have not worked with before so this was very helpful.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Your welcome any time!

[@zm8w88]

how did it go ? im doing my first spiral tomorrow

[@bwaHAharandomHahA]

@@zm8w88 The grinder was much faster although, on a commercial site, the builder was unhappy with the sparks even with a hot works permit. We didn’t much care for the sawsal (?), it was super rough, so we ended up cutting it with snips. Getting through the seems was a bit rough but it was a much cleaner cut and no cranky builder. 😅

[@daveclawson5185]

Nice 👍

[@pauljewel6988]

If you needed to cut off like a three-foot piece or longer of pipe, to draw the line I mark a small line on the pipe at the 12 o'clock, 3o'colck, 6 o'clock, and 9'oclock, looking at the mark ahead, your hand will automatically draw a straight line all the way around, with practice you will get better as you go. Also I have a small folding table to place my pipe on to cut, so i don't have to lean over, this works for sizes up to 20 inches diameter of pipe, being 65 will appreciate this when you are older.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Yes! Most of the time you don’t need to mark around the pipe!

[@carlosrivas3004]

You could also run the left and the rights side-by-side on thicker duck

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Yes you right! I remember my Forman at the time showing me that I learnt that maybe 7 years into this career. I don’t really use that technique much

[@KAT-df7ey]

Thanks! What's the different vbetween using saw and angle grinder? Also any reason why there was no spark? I want to cut kitchen ducts but there's grease and I dont want sparks.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Grinder leaves a dust behind and also creates sparks. If the duct is super thin it won’t leave much sparks. Is your kitchen duct commercial grade steel that’s thick or just the thin sheetmetal kind.

[@KAT-df7ey]

​@@SheetmetalHVAC__ its commercial grade duct steel

[@rmichellelomeli]

Makita 18v Bl metal cutting blade on high speed saw cuts like butter

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Nice! We usually use the Diablo blades. I’d say my favorite though is one of the blades Lenox makes

[@gerardomartinez9992]

Can you do a video on the different type of adjustable elbows? Like a 45 degree and 90 degree and so forth. That would be cool.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Thanks for the video suggestion I’ll definitely work on a kind of video like that for sure

[@edwardrebeaudiii9109]

I always line up the Gores to Half of whatever my pipe Is, if you have a 12” pc of spiral line up the factory lines separating the 90/. 6” apart to forum a perfect 45

[@reefrepublik1440]

i use a 5/16 tapper to pilot a hole in the gore for a unibit and then use double cuts. its faster , cleaner and much more quiet and safe.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

I’ll have to try that! I need new blades on my double cutter

[@taylorj9920]

Have you tried the new milwaukee m12 nibbler that joker is the bomb Any nibbler is good but the little m12 w no cord is nice for overhead

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

I don’t own one but the company I work for just bought three of them I’ll have to try it out.

[@taylorj9920]

@@SheetmetalHVAC__ Nice! we're doing a 20t rtu all spiral shutdown - nights this weekend I just bought one yesterday Only problem we had with internal lined pipe the extruder has to penetrate an inch or so

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

@@taylorj9920 nice! I saw a video of someone using a nibbler that’s extended which was made for double wall

[@adampiotrmalejewski695]

nibbler i think is the best ;D

[@johnrutherdale915]

I’ve always used a skill saw. I feel like it’s the fastest way.

[@jimmyjackass1805]

Use lefts and Rights when cutting Spiral by hand. It's way easier and acts like double cuts. Helps relieve the metal. Also grind the point end of the gore lock when you use a grinder so you don't stab yourself partner or the insulator.

[@Joakim-Jacobsson]

I use a Dräco when cutting them.

[@chrisbrown3357]

You don't use shears or double cuts? Where I'm from we use a unibit to pre drill a small hole, next we use double cuts or shears and go all the around til we hit the gore. We use our snips to get through the gore. I like the grinder idea. But we would need a hot permit for that too. We don't use the reciprocating saw or Sawzall much because most of the GCs in WA don't like the noise.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Thanks for the suggestion never I’ve only been in the trade for six years and finally own my first shears and double cutter as of a few months ago… never tried it on spiral but I’ll take your suggestion and try that out! I’d prefer the sawzall because it’s less waste material. GC complaining about noise on a construction site??? Wow they’re in the wrong business lol unless it’s office space I guess…

[@chrisbrown3357]

@@SheetmetalHVAC__ I do alot of T.I work. I've only been in 2 years now. We use the milwaukee double cuts or shears, or Dewalt double cuts. You do waste material with these tho. Not much.

[@bradadkins5606]

If you drill the hole right on the seam you dont need snips at all

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

@@bradadkins5606 thanks for the good tip!

[@seaspidermariner1565]

👍

[@shielduniversity419]

I didnt think the sheers would cut thru that gauge. In that case i havevsheer tool that goes on drill

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Not sure what sheer tool is rated to but yes my hand shears work great

[@amohvac27]

I hate the vibration the sawzall gives you so I just use the grinder or the malco double cutter

[@tesakotukaka6222]

I start with making a hole with my uni bit than cut with electric shears

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Nice right on I’ve used that method as well

[@DaveH-ko2pe]

shocking!!!! You ain’t a ductworker 😂

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Lol I know I’m a tin knocker!

[@rickileebrindle3984]

I wouldn't open a tin of spam like that 🤣

[@shielduniversity419]

Just found a video where they are using a nibbler

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Yeah I’ve seen that as well, I don’t own one so I didn’t show it in the video

[@NoBody-ro3xj]

I use a grinder for all my cuts, but know people who use reciprocating saw, bi metal circular saw, and double cuts.... whatever makes your job easier carrying less tools is the tool for you lol

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

I honestly like the grinder a lot. Biggest thing though where I live is having permits and a fire watch (firefighter on the job) for anything that shoots out sparks. Grinder makes a super clean cut and it’s pretty quick with a cheaper waste product

[@NoBody-ro3xj]

@@SheetmetalHVAC__ yea we work in Utah and have only had to have a permit once. Our company is the oldest in town and usually when someone says get a permit or don't do this or that... We usually ignore it and keep going. Is it bad yes but we aren't hosed by super regulations. Things get done faster. It sucks you have to have a firefighter on the job like WTF lol

[@jeremydipietro2608]

What's up my ductwork dogs

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 suhhhh

[@wranefis]

We use a skillsaw pretty fast and easy

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Nice I haven’t tried that yet but I’ve seen videos of people doing that

[@dnrob7]

As long as you don't mind everyone around you plotting your demise^ The noise of that things is just unreasonable. I got myself a cordless makita jigsaw. I reckon that should do nicely with some fine tooth blades. Gotta start it with a grinder or a skillsaw tho. Blast through the lockform and leave the rest to the jiggy

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

@@dnrob7 good tip I’ll have to try that out as well

[@wranefis]

@@dnrob7 I work in a construction zone! There’s no such a thing as unreasonable noise. The noise of the skillsaw only lasts for about 10 -15 seconds and it’s not even the loudest noise in the construction area. If you don’t want noise stay home .

[@shielduniversity419]

So theres no special tool for spiral?

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

For cutting pipe you can use whatever your most comfortable with but no there isn’t any specific tool you have to use. I always tell people to not do things how other people tell you to do it but do it the way your most comfortable doing it.

[@alexrhodes6732]

Diamond blades work way better than cut off wheels

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Thanks for the tip

[@alexrhodes6732]

And they will last a lot longer as well it's well worth it

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

@@alexrhodes6732 yeah that’s true and less dust in the air

[@maskdwn4445]

Lol… bro… The difference between union and non union😂. Quality vs quantity..

[@richardharmon874]

Grinder is the only way i cut any duct.i even cut flex with it.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

Nice! Hot works permit and fire watch required if I were to do that

[@richardharmon874]

@@SheetmetalHVAC__that stinks hot work permit for grinder is a joke.must be union job

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

@@richardharmon874 no it’s a state thing and gets worse when you get closer to Boston

[@richardharmon874]

@@SheetmetalHVAC__ yes i guess i was lucky i did app building in new hampshire and no one gave us hard time,we couldn't smoke in the new wood building but no one said anything about grinder and the carpenters had chop saw also.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

@@richardharmon874 yeah our company also has random safety visits from third party safety company and they are like osha for our insurance

[@joeromero1981]

If you ain’t using Midwest I can’t trust you

[@kirilkirov6036]

Holy mother 😲 that was bad 😭 that was really bad . I do this for a living and I can tell you IS BAD.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

How do you cut pipe?

[@kirilkirov6036]

@@SheetmetalHVAC__ I did not say you equipment is not correct. I said the cuts are bad for someone who does this on a daily basis.

[@SheetmetalHVAC__]

@@kirilkirov6036 put your volume up you may have missed the part that I said I’m doing this real quick and the cuts are not strait or perfect. The point of the video is to show different ways that you can cut sheetmetal. Also even if it wasn’t perfect slap some duct seal on it and it’s all set.