Electric metal shears/nibbers

[ncboman]

:)

I need one for jobsite cutting of 26ga metal in long runs (up to ~40') with good clean finishing cuts at a decent speed.

Any suggestions?

[Bayrat]

Never used electric shears, I have air driven so can't say.

But I have air driven nibblers. They are great for detail work .... right up until the hardened anvil snaps off because of twisting the tool in max thickness steel. Not a tool for doing long cuts fast.

26 gauge shouldn't be too tough unless your cutting alot of hot rolled steel (lots of hard spots). Check the max gauge cutting rating and knock off a few gauges to be realistic.

Bayrat.

[ncboman]

think I'll try these and see how they work out;

web page (http://grizzly.amazonwebstore.com/Grizzly-H2867-Electric-Sheet-Metal-Shear/M/B0000DD485.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle)

:rolleyes:

[tincan]

did you try them? if so, how'd it go?

[swamp]

:)

I need one for jobsite cutting of 26ga metal in long runs (up to ~40') with good clean finishing cuts at a decent speed.

Any suggestions?

26 ga is only .0179" thick... i think a jig saw with a good fresh metal cutting blade will work... the nibbler will be SLOW as hell...

[ncboman]

They worked great and actually cut right along, faster than with hand shears.

I need to get some 'finished' pics of that job. :rolleyes:

[Bayrat]

26 ga is only .0179" thick... i think a jig saw with a good fresh metal cutting blade will work...

A jig saw with metal blade actually makes better cuts in heavier gauge sheetmetal. If you don't have a fine enough blade to have more than one tooth in the material at all times, the blade catches the metal and bends it up.

Even it the blade doesn't "catch" in the metal, it will leave slightly burred, sharp edges all along the edges of the cut.

The nibbler leaves a clean edge with no burrs.

Bayrat

[ncboman]

The nibbler leaves a clean edge with no burrs.


yes it does.

These long cuts were along the outside(rake) edges and the metal was turned over an edge strip to lock it in. The nibbers gave a very professional cut and appearance to these rake edges and while we bled on the job repeatedly, it was never caused by nibber cut metal. :D

[Bayrat]

NC,

Just be careful to keep the nibbler straight up and down if you use it in any heavier gauge metal.

The anvil of many of them is hardened and brittle - it's real easy to snap it off if the nibbler gets twisted sideways while going fast.

Don't ask how I know that! :D

Bayrat

[greenjeans]

Malco makes a variety of differnt metal shears. They make shears that you can attach to your own drill, corded power shears, and pneumatic air powered shears. I have used em all and they all work well for cutting trough light 26 gauge sheet metal. If im going after a real clean cut I willl use regular metal hand shears or a pair of reds.

[ncboman]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/ncboman/roofing%2009/ncboman111709044.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/ncboman/roofing%2009/ncboman111709046.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/ncboman/roofing%2009/ncboman111709048.jpg

My camera has let me down here. This job is perfect enough to be a show job for Union Corrugated Metal but the pics look bad. :o

[ncboman]

Maybe if I get up higher ... or perhaps closeups ... :rolleyes:

a white roof just doesn't seem to photograph well. :rolleyes:

[Bayrat]

Good job nc.

Looks real sharp .... and not just in a finger slicing way !!!:D

Bayrat

[mshane]

I'm sick of using my jigsaw to cut out sheet metal. I need to make a seat pan for my bike, and want to use 16 ga. I know it's a bit thin but it's easier for all the bends I gotta make and I can weld reinforcements into it later. I'm gonna run to harbour freight tomorrow, should I get sheet metal shears, or a nibbler? I'm in a time crunch and need to get something tomorrow. When using my jigsaw I blow through blades like crazy and I'm sick of it!
catalytic converter cutters and shears (http://www.acmecatz.com)

[testarossa]

Never used electric shears, I have air driven so can't say.

But I have air driven nibblers. They are great for detail work .... right up until the hardened anvil snaps off because of twisting the tool in max thickness steel. Not a tool for doing long cuts fast.

26 gauge shouldn't be too tough unless your cutting alot of hot rolled steel (lots of hard spots). Check the max gauge cutting rating and knock off a few gauges to be realistic.

Bayrat.

Works with me too..