Metalworking shears are power tools that are used to cut straight lines, as well as long gradual curves in sheet metal. These tools are popular with individuals who work with metal such as engineers and fabricators.
Shears are less manoeuvrable than nibblers and, because they cut similarly to a pair of scissors, they may distort the material being cut. However, they are often able to conduct more heavy-duty metal cutting tasks than nibblers can.
Shears are available in a range of power configurations, including mains powered and cordless.
- The cutting capacity is the determining feature when choosing between tools. Choosing your power source: The first choice is between a mains (110v or 240v) or a cordless tool. 240v tools are used with normal mains power whilst 110v tools are used on construction sites for safety reasons.
- With regards to cordless (battery powered) tools there are a variety of chemical types; Li-ion is the latest technology, prior to that it was Ni-MH and Ni-Cad was the original. The higher the Ah (Ampere hours) the longer the interval between charges; the fewer times you recharge a battery the longer it will last. Some cordless tools can also come without batteries - sometimes referred to as naked, bare units or body only. These tools are supplied without a battery or charger and more often than not without any accessories; as a result they are significantly cheaper in price.
- To also help you decide between shear