Best way to cut thick sheet lead?

[ulav8r]

Cutting torch would not work like it does on steel. It could be used to melt the lead but would not work any better than a rosebud. The cutting torch uses a jet of pure oxygen to burn the steel, not melt it. The oxygen jet would produce a lot of lead oxide that would be hard to collect and reduce back to pure lead.

[725]

I've used a torch, but mostly I'm with Mr. Peabody ~ use an axe.

[smokeater]

gotta go with the circular saw with reversed blade. Son in law and I had some 2"x8' lead rods to cut up to melt and the circular saw saved the day for us.

[shootinfox2]

Sawzall with a demo blade works the best.

[slim1836]

I never tried it due to the fact that I've never had the opportunity of obtaining sheet lead, however, put a piece of tape on the cut lines to collect the chips instead of them flying all over the place.

Slim

[curdog007]

I use a sharp axe. Roll up the thinner sheets if you can, and smash the roll flat before cutting. Do lead pipe the same way.

[38-72]

I agree with both the sawzall and the circular saw idea. All else fails, a very sharp single bit axe, draw lines on sheet, solid backing under sheet, tap the back side of the axe head with a 4 pound hammer, moving right along the line, should cut precise and no chips to clean up! Just my .02

I also have used a single bit axe, and it work well. I tried the saw method and it just made a mess with chips going everywhere.

[fredj338]

1/8” can be cut with tin snips, 1/4 & up, course blade in a saws all

[BJung]

Lead is soft. I think a jig saw with even a wood blade will work. After this, I'd consider drawing lines and using a hatchet and a hammer to put a deep crease in the lead and then break the pieces apart.

[Sasquatch-1]

Has anyone tried a guillotine paper cutter like we had back in the 50's and 60's? This would be the nice heavy duty one with the maple boards and heavy steel blade.