Cutting Aluminum Rain Gutters

Extend the cut mark.

Cutting aluminum rain gutters.

Place the length of aluminum gutter flat on the worktable with the top of the aluminum gutter resting on the. Use a carpenter s square to get around to the bottom. Grab one side of the gutter and lower the saw slowly to the gutter. Mark the cut length onto the bottom of the aluminum gutter which should be facing up with the tape measure and.

Laying your gutter on the workbench measure off the amount of gutter you want to cut and mark it with a pencil. How to cut aluminum gutters step 1. If the section of the gutter you are discarding is on your left use the right hand tin snips and vice versa if the discarded section is on right. Let go of the trigger when through and then pull the saw back up to its starting position.

Cut a four inch long notch to overlap and splice together gutter sections. Use the old adage measure twice and cut once then turn the gutter upside down on the table and mark it all the way around. Insert the drop outlet in the hole and fasten the new downspout with sheet metal screws. Tap the end cap onto the end of the gutter then secure it with a crimping tool.

If you have difficulty cutting with the tin snips make another cut 1 to 2 inches away from the cut line with the alternate hand snip. Fit the miter saw with a carbide tipped finish blade for cutting through metal but this is the fastest and most efficient tool for cutting through any type of gutter material. Apply a bead of silicone sealant along the inner edge of an aluminum end cap. Cut all the way through at a consistent speed.

Measure along the house fascia to determine the length of each piece of gutter. If the gutter doesn t turn a corner fasten an end cap to each end to do this hold the end cap in place temporarily with a single sheet metal screw then drill a 1 8 inch diameter hole and install one pop rivet above. Cut a two inch long notch in the front lip of the gutter with tin snips to join a rain gutter section with an inside or outside corner piece. Make sure to seal the drop outlet to the gutter with seam sealer.

Miter saws are the most common tool used for cutting gutters especially metal and plastic gutters.