Best Metal Shears Of 2024: Completed List
Brandon Forder Apr 18, 2024 5:45 PM
When it comes to cutting metal for use in construction (roofing projects) or arts and crafts, metal shears are the ideal power tool.
They have a scissor-like mechanism that allows them to precisely cut through thick metal sheets, metal components, and other robust materials. Without this equipment, working with sheet metals and other metalworks might be challenging.
When selecting a metal shear, you'll want to think about the type of metal or material you'll be cutting.
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Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Purpose
Metal shears are multipurpose instruments that can be put to work in a variety of contexts. Before buying it, you should figure out where it will get the most use. You should consider this before making any purchases.
Roofing applications are best served by some versions of metal shears, whereas car repair applications are better served by others. There is a unique quality about each model that determines its superiority over others. It's best to choose a model that works precisely for your purposes, even though a single model can be utilized for several projects.
Types (Corded Vs. Cordless)
Both corded and cordless electric metal shears have their advantages and disadvantages. Having this information at your disposal will aid you in selecting the best product.
Corded Metal Shears
It's a classic model that operates on 110–120 volts and must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Powerful motors (4–6 amps) allow for fast cutting of steel materials averaging 22–18 GA in thickness. They are essential for both do-it-yourselfers and experts to get the most out of it.
Cordless Metal Shears
In most cases, cordless metal shears are just more convenient and mobile variants of their corded counterparts. A rechargeable battery powers them. They are both equally effective and give the same amount of power. Some updated models are perfectly capable of cutting through 14-gauge steel and 0.080-inch-thick aluminum sheets.
Conclusion: while corded units offer more power, cordless models are more versatile and portable.
Power Rating
Power tools, whether corded or cordless, need to be tested and verified to ensure they have sufficient strength to accomplish the desired results. When working with heavy metal sheets, this is invaluable. Therefore, the pack displays the power ratings of several metal shears.
Standard power ratings for corded machines are 4–5 amps, whereas battery-operated ones are reported in volts (12 – 20 volts). In either instance, the rule of thumb is that more powerful tools perform better.
Rating of the Gauge
How well a certain set of metal shears performs is dependent on the gauge rating of the metal being cut. As a result, you can now see if the thickness of the metal sheet you're trying to cut is too thick for your metal shears. Shears for cutting metal can be found with a variety of gauge ratings, from 14 gauge to 20 gauge.
As the higher number, 14-gauge is the preferred choice for cutting thick metal sheets. Metal sheets with a lower gauge rating are often thicker than those with a higher gauge rating, and vice versa.
Speed Control
There are a few different ways to regulate the rate of movement: a variable speed dial or, more commonly, a pressure-sensitive trigger. Squeezing a pressure-sensitive trigger faster amplifies the cutting action. Variable-speed double-blade variants often provide 2,500 strokes per minute or more.
Weight
When cutting a single piece of metal and not needing to cut metal frequently, the device's weight is less of a concern. You'll want a lightweight device if you'll be using the shears frequently or for a long time. Lighter devices are more comfortable to hold and less likely to lead to tiredness for the user than their heavier equivalents. However, the ease with which a pair of shears can be held and used depends on more than just their weight. Make sure the handle has a comfortable rubber grip and was designed to reduce fatigue. You can trust that these will provide you with a secure and pleasant grip on your shears.
Auto-Switch On
When the power trigger is fully depressed, pressing the auto-switch button will immediately turn the device on. This can make the device more convenient to use by keeping the power on even if you release the switch. With an automatic on/off function, you can hold and manage the workpiece or hold the shears in a more natural position.
Steel Gauge or Thickness
Depending on the model, metal shears can often cut through materials ranging from 18 gauge mild steel to 20 gauge stainless steel. Metal shears designed for larger gauges are your best bet if you need to cut through substantial thicknesses.
Ease of Use
How do your shears feel to hold? How secure are they in your grip? It is preferable that a metal shear has low vibration levels. Curves and corners can be more easily navigated with the aid of pivoting functions. It may also be more convenient to transport a metal shear that is both lightweight and sturdy.
Ergonomics
A tool's ergonomics refer to how easy it is to use it while keeping your body in a natural position. Due to the efficiency of the power tool, they can get the job done considerably more quickly. However, weariness can still occur after extended use. Therefore, when shopping for a tool, it is important to keep in mind how comfortable it will be to use, and to opt for a model that meets your needs in this regard.
Durability
Metal shears are used for cutting metal and other hard materials, thus their durability is an important feature to consider when making a purchase. Remember that the tool will eventually wear out from your constant use. It's best to choose with a model that can handle plenty of use without breaking and can multitask swiftly and effectively.
Extra Features
It's important to get a metal shear that has extra features to make it more durable, eye-catching, and secure. Support arms, ball motions, the capacity to modify the sharp edge hole, a programmed lubrication framework, a variety of edges, and cushions to dampen vibration are all a part of the package. These added features on a metal shear will make your task more efficient.
What is the main difference between nibblers and metal shears?
The shears function and cut like a pair of strong scissors, while the nibblers are accompanied with some nibbles. Unfortunately, nibblers can't be used for fine line cutting because they remove the material. Instead, they were employed for cutting extremely precise circles, and were typically applied to the difficult-to-shear material of corrugated steel.
What gauge is needed for metal thickness?
The gauge system is typically thought of as the British method of measuring wire thickness and makes use of standardized quantities such as millimeters or inches. Yet the standardization of this practice for sheet metal occurs and persists with no explanation.
18-gauge is thinner than 14-gauge since the higher number indicates a thinner material (remember that it varies from one metal to another). An 18-gauge sheet of aluminum measures 0.4030 inches, an 18-gauge sheet of stainless steel measures 0.050 inches, and an 18-gauge sheet of mild steel measures 0.0478 inches. You should again check the gauge's settings with these minor variations.
Shall we cut corners/curves or straight lines with electric metal shears?
These electric metal shears may be used to cut not just straight and curved metal, but also corners. These shears are typically used for cutting flat surfaces, and their simplicity of usage does not complicate the cutting of other materials. It doesn't allow you to short-cut anything, but it's also a pain to deal with. The ability to cut at an angle or in tight spaces requires a tool with a swivel head.
Sheet metal and stainless steel are only two of the materials that can be cut with metal shears. When you need to make several cuts, when you need to ensure straight cuts, or when you need to shear metal on a regular and ongoing basis, power shears are preferable to manual shears. They differ in strength, velocity, and even the thickness of metal they can sever.
Choose between single- and double-bladed shears, keep an eye out for useful features like auto-switch on, and be sure the shears you get can handle the metal you'll be cutting. It can be difficult to find the best electrical metal shears due to the variety of options available on the market and the many different companies that make them, but we hope that our reviews have made it easier for you to settle on a product that meets your needs and the specifications of the task at hand.
