Tin cutting using the chisel or a tin cutter

A convenient way to cut tins is to nail a pole into the top of a work table. The board shown in Diagram A has been rounded near its end and has been nailed into the table. About 15 cm of the board are beyond the edge of the table. A tin can be put on this part of the pole, and then cut with a chisel and a hammer as shown in Diagram B. In this way, a useful square or rectangular piece of metal can be cut out of each tin. The remaining tin is also useful as a stand for heating things.

DIAGRAM A, B

It is also possible to cut a piece of metal from a tin without nailing a pole onto a table. This method, shown below, is much more difficult.

Fig. 60

A special tool for cutting the top out of a tin can be made with a 15 cm nail. Rub the head of the nail on a rough stone or rough cement floor until it has the shape shown in Diagram

DIAGRAM C

DIAGRAM D

The sharpened edge of the nail is now placed at the edge of the tin, and the other part of the head is hit with a hammer as shown in Diagram D.

Each time the hammer hits the nail, a small part of the tin is cut. Move the nail and hit it again. Do this until the top of the tin is removed.