Cutting my own perforated panels

[joojoo1234]

I have made the mistake of cutting my own perforated panels. Using metal shears. Getting some burrs that I will have to cut off and hammer down. Is this a problem and I need to order them cut?

[CharlieM]

Originally Posted by joojoo1234

I have made the mistake of cutting my own perforated panels. Using metal shears. Getting some burrs that I will have to cut off and hammer down. Is this a problem and I need to order them cut?

I suspect the shears distorted the metal along the cut edges. Hopefully the distortion is limited to the edges and can be hammered flat without stretching the metal. I would use a wooden mallet (not a metal hammer) to flatten the stators because you don't want to smash and "expand" the metal (which would create local buckling in the expanded areas). You will definitely want to grind off the sharp points along the cut edges to mitigate the tendency for coronal arcing.

Below is a photo of of a stator that had its edges ground smooth and then coated with polyurethane:

[joojoo1234]

Yes. I will deburr it. Not having a true shop is a true drag. Luckily I have most of the tools I need.

[joojoo1234]

I thought shearing with a pneumatic shear would be better then grinding... will use my grinder next to cut the 22 gauge.

[JAMESBOS]

I use a pair of heavy solid metal scissors to cut my perforated steel. No problem, making planars you don't have to take the burrs off. In fact it helps to hold the sheet between the MDF sheets.

[CharlieM]

I use a bandsaw with a metal cutting blade.

[joojoo1234]

Originally Posted by CharlieM

I use a bandsaw with a metal cutting blade.

The cuts seem clean and I can use it for other things. Don't have a band saw.
Lack of sparks compared to grinding is nice. Can always return it...