electric metal shears?

[BryanM]

Has anyone tried a set of electric metal cutting shear and makes from harbor freight? I have a livestock trailer project and need a good way to cut out rust and make a few patches?

 

[ecoslik]

I have not.

The other day, I used a shear that attached to a 3/8" drill chuck. It worked great on a cordless. I was told by its owner that the shear was sold in right, left, and center models just like the hand shears. I am not certain, but I recall seeing something similar in a pneumatic tool at Harbor Freight, but I have never seen the drill attachment (looked like pair of scissors) for sale like I used the other day.

 

[oc3crwler]

Had the HF type for years (black housing model, not the new orange case), worked great. Then broke the blade and went to get a new pair and they changed them. Now I cant find shears to fit mine. Guy I work with has 1 also. When he broke his shears he bought a new 1 and the put the old in the box and returned them. Not something I would do. But he likes his and he makes alot of motorcycle gas tanks so lots of 16 and 18 guage.

 

[RPW]

Don't know about the HF ones but I got a set from TSC (farmhand) and have used them on 14 gauge without problems. BTW they're only rated for 18gauge. I use a lot of oil (WD-40) while cutting thicker sheets and go a LOT slower.

 

[zzvyb6]

I have a Bosche cutters that goes thru roofing copper like it was paper.

 

[JD Greg]

I have a KT electric shears.
Works pretty good. Just depends on your
specific project needs are at that time.
I don't know that I would use it in your application, but, you sure could.

Several ways to cut out steel.
Shears,
O/A torch
Plasma cutter
Cutoff wheels on a 4 1/2" grinder
Sawsall with metal cutting blade

Probably more, but I can't think of anymore right now.
Whatever you do, where safety glasses or face shield
when cutting that steel. Just don't know what could
go wrong. I have broke many cutting wheels on my grinder,
and when they break, the pieces go flying.

Scary deal, a buddy of mine had a cutoff wheel break. Flying piece
stuck in his caradid artery. He didn't pull it out. If he had, he would have
bled out in a matter of seconds. Left it in, wife took to ER. Emergency
surgury. Minimal damage.

 

[crazyal]

I think a company called Kett has made them years before China copied them. They may have even been the original company. I would look for a set of them, even used off ebay, since you can get parts for them easily. I have a set made by Bosch that's similar and a set of Makita nibblers. The Nibblers work great but leave a bunch of moon shape slivers. I've used them to make a hole in the frame on my Subara to add a trailer hitch, cut through it like butter and can they go in any direction.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I think a company called Kett has made them years before China copied them. They may have even been the original company. I would look for a set of them, even used off ebay, since you can get parts for them easily. I have a set made by Bosch that's similar and a set of Makita nibblers. The Nibblers work great but leave a bunch of moon shape slivers. I've used them to make a hole in the frame on my Subara to add a trailer hitch, cut through it like butter and can they go in any direction.

Got one Kett on ebay 10 years ago and it still works great.

 

[chopped]

Speaking of shears I had the opportunity to spot these
Turbo shear - Shop sales, stores & prices at TheFind.com
On my friends worksite. He had this one on hand
Amazon.com: Malco TSHD Turboshear Heavy-Duty: Home Improvement
I watched it in use and seemed pretty kool. Not much different than the less expensive one with the red handle.
But this one allows easy one hand operation.He had it mounted on a 110 volt drill but it has so little resistance that I know a cordless would handle it no problems..Its a bit more than I usually spend on shears but if the budget allows its a good unit.
At one time HF sold a set of three pairs cheap and they well just that cheap...awful

 

[tulenutn2o]

I have 2 Kett shears and a milwaukee.Have had Milwaukee for 20 years and Ketts were purchased at an auction for $10(for both) and one is a little older than my Milwaukee. One stays in shop, one on job trailer and one in spare on shelf. Whichever is closest is the one used. I would say go for it. I'd rather see ya buy a quality USA made(probably older/used) and then parts are readily available.

 

[tommu56]

I have Milwaukee shears and a kett set with shears and nibbler.
Nibbler is my choice for roofing it follows the contours easier.

tom

 

[sandman2234]

Kett makes my "double cuts" and Milwaukee makes my Uni-shear. Depending on your "wastes" considerations, I like the double cuts better.However it takes a quarter in waste strip out of your material, while the unishear leaves one side straight, the other not.
David from jax

 

[TWD]

I have the $45 Orange HF ones and have cut 14ga with them, they work great and are one of my fav. HF tools :thumbsup:

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I've had one of these for several years and am happy with it. I don't know how well it would work on your existing trailer body. I guess it's a Uni-shear copy. The blades are little carbide blocks that can be sharpened and adjusted.
18 Gauge Sheet Metal Shear

The body saw like in this ad for $9.99 is another option.
Automotive

 

[sandman2234]

The link Brad posted looks like my Uni-shear, expect mine is rated for 10 guage steel. My double cuts are rated for 14ga (I think)
David from jax

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I don't think any sheet metal shears will work well on rusty metal.
Bill

 

[sandman2234]

Cutting rusty metal can be a challenge with most any type of cutter, including a torch, but it isn't too hard to run a wire brush over the area that is going to be cut, or if it is really rusty, maybe a light touch with a grinding wheel. Very seldom do I ever use new steel, most is anywhere from light to extremely rusty.
David from jax

 

[F250DSLPWR]

I have an air powered sheet metal shears (they look like sissors) from HF and they work great for cutting the thinner metal building R panels. I don't think they would work well for cutting thicker metal such as 16 guage. For heavier metal I would use a metal cutting bandsaw, cut off wheel on a grinder, torch, plasma cutter or a saber saw.