Start With the Right Measurements
Measure the finished opening or part size, not the rough space around it. Use millimetres on every line of your cut list and note whether the size shown is the final visible size or the full piece size before fitting. If you are working from an existing panel, check for out-of-square corners, bowed walls and any trim that changes the final fit.
For sheet work in Cape Town and surrounds, we often see jobs delayed because one side was measured from plaster, tiles or a frame that is slightly uneven. Take the measurement in three places if the opening is long, then use the smallest reading and allow for clearance where needed.
Allow for Tolerances and Fit
Every cutting job needs a small allowance. A sliding cover, machine guard or display panel may need a different tolerance from a fixed infill piece. Tell us what the sheet is doing in the final application, and we can advise if the part should be cut to exact size or left slightly oversize for trimming on site.
For most general sheet orders, a neat cut is enough but for joining, assembly or fitting into a channel, the wrong allowance can cause binding or movement. If you are unsure, give us the mating dimensions, a sketch and the intended fixing method. That makes a big difference when we are setting up the cut.
- State the finished size you need
- Note any allowance for frames, slots or fixings
- Say whether the piece must slide, sit flush or overlap
- Include the acceptable tolerance in millimetres if you have one
Prepare a Clean Cut List
A clean cut list saves time and avoids back and forth. You can send it as a simple table or a handwritten note, as long as the sizes are easy to read and each item is marked clearly. Group the same sizes together and mark quantities so we can plan the sequence for straight cuts, strip cutting or panel cutting.
Please include material type, thickness, finish requirements and any special notes such as film left on, edge deburring or hole marking. If the job has repeating parts, label them as A, B, C or by location. That is especially useful on larger batch work where one wrong label can slow down fitting on site.
- Part name or label
- Quantity required
- Length and width in millimetres
- Thickness and finish notes
- Special instructions such as holes, deburring or film left on
When a Sketch Is Better Than a Description
A quick sketch can solve issues that words do not cover. Even a simple hand drawing with arrows, dimensions and a note for the front face will help. This is useful when you have cut-outs, radiused corners, stepped sections or more than one opening in a single panel.
If your part has a handed side, meaning left and right pieces are different, mark it on the sketch. If the visible side matters, say so upfront so we keep the protective film in place where needed. That small detail helps when parts are going out by courier to Johannesburg, Durban or smaller towns where rework is not practical.
Collection, Courier and Job Labelling
Sheet orders can be collected from Epping or arranged through our local collection points around Cape Town, including Montague Gardens, Bellville, Parow, Somerset West, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Claremont. For filament and smaller items, we courier nationwide. If you are sending a cut list with a courier order, make sure the packing list matches the part labels exactly.
We label jobs so the pieces are easy to identify at handover and on site. This helps if you are working across multiple locations, or if the installer is not the same person who prepared the measurements. In a busy workshop, clear labels can save a lot of time, especially when load-shedding has interrupted a production run and the job needs to be checked again before dispatch.
- Use the same part names on your sketch, cut list and message
- Tell us if items must be packed separately
- Say whether the job is for collection or courier
- Include the suburb or town for courier planning
If You Are Unsure, Ask Before You Send the Order
It is better to ask one question now than to remake a panel later. If you are not certain about thickness, edge finish or whether a straight cut is suitable, send the details through the enquiry form on our contact page. We can talk through the job and advise on the simplest way to prepare it for cutting.
For commercial work, prototypes and small runs, we regularly assist with repeat sizes, hole positions and panel layouts. If you need a large batch, give us the target quantity and your deadline so we can confirm what is practical. Good preparation keeps the order moving and helps avoid waste, which matters when material costs are tight.
Our team in Epping handles sales, cutting, production, logistics and support from one base, so the information you send reaches the right person quickly. That makes it easier to keep your job accurate from first measure to final pack.
