How to Cut Notches in Metal

Notching metal allows you to remove metal material from the edge or corner of a metal piece to get a desired finish on it. Once the metal sheet is properly notched you can use it as a finished piece for metalworking. Cutting the notches on the metal blank is done with a special machine called the punch press which ensures you have a smooth cut on the metal. Knowing how to properly use and set up the punch press is important to ensure you get the desired look on your metal blank.

Punch press
Die set

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the power to the punch press. If you are unsure how to turn off the power to the punch press remove the power plug from the outlet. Some punch presses use hydraulic pressure and to ensure it is off you must just turn the switch to "Off."
- 2
  Place the die set into the punch press. Follow the punch press manufactures direction on how to insert the die set into the punch press. The die set determines the pattern the punch press leaves on the metal blank.
- 3
  Turn on the power to the punch press. Plug the punch press back into the outlet if you disconnected it.
- 4
  Line up the metal blank on the punch press. Move your hands out of the way of the press ram.
- 5
  Activate the press ram and watch as it presses down on the metal and notches it. Move the metal along the punch press and activate it to continue notching it until you have notched the metal entirely.

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