How to Cut Metal Lath: 10 Safe, Effective Methods for DIYers & Pros

Table of Contents#

1. Pre-Cut Safety & Prep Tips
2. 10 Effective Methods to Cut Metal Lath 2.1 Tin Snips (Aviation Snips) 2.2 Utility Knife + Straight Edge 2.3 Electric Metal Cutting Shears 2.4 Angle Grinder with Cut-Off Wheel 2.5 Jigsaw with Metal Cutting Blade 2.6 Circular Saw with Metal Cutting Blade 2.7 Tin Nibblers 2.8 Plasma Cutter (Heavy Gauge Lath Only) 2.9 Bolt Cutters 2.10 Dremel/Rotary Tool with Cut-Off Wheel
3. How to Choose the Right Cutting Method for Your Project
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. References

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Pre-Cut Safety & Prep Tips#

Metal lath’s sharp, ridged edges and small metal shavings created during cutting pose significant injury risks, so follow these steps before you start:

1. Wear ANSI-certified cut-resistant work gloves, safety goggles, and long sleeves to avoid scratches and eye damage from flying debris.
2. Use hearing protection for all power tool cutting methods.
3. Secure lath to a stable work surface (sawhorses with a 2x4 placed directly under your cut line) to prevent vibration and warping.
4. Mark cut lines clearly with a permanent marker and straight edge to avoid uneven cuts.
5. Clear all flammable materials from your work area if you are using spark-producing tools (angle grinder, circular saw).

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10 Effective Methods to Cut Metal Lath#

1. Tin Snips (Aviation Snips)#

Best for: Small, straight or curved cuts on thin to medium-gauge (2.5lb to 3.4lb) residential lath, DIY repairs Tools needed: Straight/left/right-cut aviation snips, marker, clamps Step-by-step process:

1. Clamp the lath to your work surface, leaving 1 inch of space next to your cut line for the snips.
2. Align the snip jaws with the edge of your cut line, keeping the blades perpendicular to the lath.
3. Squeeze the handles slowly to make a ½ inch cut, then reposition the snips to continue along your marked line. Avoid forcing the snips, as this will create jagged edges. Pros: Low cost, no power required, portable, precise for small cuts Cons: Slow for large sheets, hand fatigue with extended use, not suitable for heavy 4lb+ lath

2. Utility Knife + Straight Edge#

Best for: Ultra-thin (2.5lb or lighter) expanded metal lath, quick straight cuts Tools needed: Heavy-duty utility knife with a new blade, metal straight edge, clamps Step-by-step process:

1. Clamp the straight edge along your cut line to keep it stable.
2. Apply firm pressure to score the lath along the straight edge 3-4 times on one side, then flip the lath over and score the same line another 3-4 times.
3. Bend the lath back and forth along the scored line until it snaps cleanly. Pros: No special tools required, extremely fast for short cuts, low cost Cons: Only works for thin lath, creates jagged edges if not scored deep enough, high risk of slips and cuts

3. Electric Metal Cutting Shears#

Best for: Medium to large projects, long straight cuts on 2.5lb to 4lb lath Tools needed: Corded/cordless electric metal shears, clamps, marker Step-by-step process:

1. Clamp the lath securely to your work surface.
2. Align the shears’ cutting edge with the start of your cut line, then squeeze the trigger to start cutting.
3. Move the shears slowly along the cut line, letting the tool do the work to avoid bending the lath. Pros: Fast for large volumes of lath, clean cuts with minimal burrs, no hand fatigue Cons: Higher cost, requires power access, not ideal for tight curves or small cutouts

4. Angle Grinder with Cut-Off Wheel#

Best for: Heavy-gauge (4lb+) lath, cutting multiple stacked sheets of lath Tools needed: 4.5-inch angle grinder, ferrous metal cut-off wheel, hearing/eye protection, fire extinguisher Step-by-step process:

1. Secure the lath to your work surface and clear all flammables from a 10-foot radius of your work area.
2. Hold the grinder at a 15-degree angle to the lath, align the wheel with your cut line, and pull the trigger.
3. Move the grinder slowly along the cut line, avoiding applying too much pressure to prevent warping thin lath. Pros: Cuts through any thickness of lath quickly, low tool cost Cons: Produces sparks and hot metal shavings, loud, creates jagged burrs that require sanding, high risk of warping thin lath

5. Jigsaw with Metal Cutting Blade#

Best for: Custom curved cuts, internal cutouts, irregular shapes Tools needed: Jigsaw, 14-18 TPI ferrous metal cutting blade, drill (for internal cuts), clamps Step-by-step process:

1. Clamp the lath tightly to your work surface to reduce vibration. For internal cutouts, drill a ¼-inch starter hole inside your cut line to insert the jigsaw blade.
2. Align the blade with your cut line, set the jigsaw to low speed, and pull the trigger.
3. Guide the jigsaw slowly along the cut line, avoiding sudden turns that can break the blade. Pros: Excellent for custom shapes, relatively precise, accessible for most DIYers Cons: Slow for long straight cuts, can cause vibration if lath is not properly clamped

6. Circular Saw with Metal Cutting Blade#

Best for: Cutting 3+ full sheets of lath at once, long straight cuts for large commercial projects Tools needed: Circular saw, 60+ TPI ferrous metal cutting blade, clamps, hearing/eye protection Step-by-step process:

1. Stack and clamp your lath sheets to a stable work surface, with a 2x4 placed under the cut line.
2. Align the saw blade with your cut line, keep both hands on the saw, and pull the trigger.
3. Move the saw slowly along the cut line, keeping the base plate flat against the lath to avoid kickback. Pros: Extremely fast for large volumes of lath, cuts multiple sheets at once Cons: High kickback risk, produces sparks and loud noise, not suitable for curves or small cuts

7. Tin Nibblers#

Best for: Precise, burr-free straight or curved cuts, professional installations Tools needed: Manual or electric tin nibblers, clamps, marker Step-by-step process:

1. Clamp the lath to your work surface, align the nibbler’s cutting head with the start of your cut line.
2. Squeeze the trigger (or manual handle) to punch small, uniform cuts through the lath.
3. Move the nibbler steadily along your cut line, clearing small metal scraps as you work. Pros: Creates clean, burr-free cuts, no sparks, works for all lath gauges, ideal for tight curves Cons: Slower than electric shears, higher tool cost, leaves small metal shavings that require cleanup

8. Plasma Cutter (Heavy Gauge Lath Only)#

Best for: Industrial projects, very thick (4.5lb+) reinforced metal lath, high-volume commercial work Tools needed: Plasma cutter, compressed air tank, PPE (full face shield, heat-resistant gloves) Step-by-step process:

1. Secure the lath to a non-flammable work surface, clear all flammables from the area.
2. Adjust the plasma cutter amperage to match your lath gauge, align the torch with your cut line.
3. Pull the trigger to create the plasma arc, and move the torch steadily along the cut line. Pros: Cuts through any metal thickness instantly, no warping, extremely fast for high volumes Cons: Very high tool cost, requires specialized training to use safely, not accessible for most DIYers

9. Bolt Cutters#

Best for: Small edge trims, cutting lath ties, narrow straight cuts on installed lath Tools needed: 12-18 inch bolt cutters, gloves Step-by-step process:

1. Align the bolt cutter jaws with the section of lath you need to cut.
2. Squeeze the handles firmly to cut through the lath strands in one motion. Pros: No power required, low cost, extremely fast for small cuts Cons: Not suitable for long cuts, leaves jagged edges, hard to follow a straight cut line

10. Dremel/Rotary Tool with Cut-Off Wheel#

Best for: Small detail cuts, trimming installed lath, tiny internal cutouts Tools needed: Dremel/rotary tool, 1mm ferrous metal cut-off wheel, eye protection Step-by-step process:

1. Mark your cut line clearly, hold the lath steady (or use a clamp if cutting uninstalled lath).
2. Turn the rotary tool to high speed, align the cut-off wheel with your cut line.
3. Move the tool slowly along the line, applying minimal pressure to avoid breaking the cut-off wheel. Pros: Extremely precise for small detail work, portable, works for hard-to-reach installed lath Cons: Slow for large cuts, cut-off wheels break easily with excessive pressure

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How to Choose the Right Cutting Method for Your Project#

Use this quick comparison table to pick the best method for your needs:

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Frequently Asked Questions#

Q: Can I cut metal lath with a regular wood saw?#

No, wood saw blades are not designed for metal, and will dull instantly or cause dangerous kickback when used on metal lath.

Q: How do I smooth jagged edges after cutting?#

Use a flat metal file, 80-grit sanding block, or flap disc on an angle grinder to sand down burrs and sharp edges.

Q: Can I cut metal lath while it is already installed on a wall?#

Yes, use tin snips, a tin nibbler, or a Dremel to avoid damaging the underlying structure. Wear extra eye protection to avoid falling metal shavings.

Q: What gauge metal lath is most common for residential projects?#

2.5lb expanded metal lath is standard for residential stucco, tile backer, and plaster applications.

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References#

1. National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA). Metal Lath Installation Best Practices Guide, 2022.
2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Personal Protective Equipment Guidelines for Metal Working, 2023.
3. The Family Handyman. Top Tools for Cutting Expanded Metal Safely, 2024.
4. Steel Framing Alliance. Metal Accessory Cutting Recommendations, 2023.