Manual and electric metal shears: overview of tools

Manual and electric metal shears: overview of cutting tools

For uniform cutting of metal sheets, manual or electric metal shears are used. The tool is presented in a wide variety of species, which makes it possible to select a specific model according to the required characteristics. However, for the right choice of metal scissors, it is important to study the advantages and disadvantages of devices and consider popular models.

For cutting metal sheets, both manual and electric metal shears are used

Manual metal scissors: characteristic features of the tool

Metal scissors are a tool that is designed for uniform cutting of metal sheets without the formation of iron chips. The cutting process is carried out by means of deformation. When exposed to the levers of the tool, high pressure occurs, due to which a piece of iron is divided into several elements.

Manual metal shears are made of HSS steel

To obtain a uniform cut, the scissors blades must be positioned at a certain angle and have a small gap. These parameters are selected for the tool based on the sheet material and its strength.

Important! The blades of the scissors are sharpened at an angle of 60-75 degrees, which helps to obtain smooth edges without burrs.

Metal shears can be manual or electric. The first type is used for conventional cutting of steel sheets up to 1 mm thick and aluminum elements (up to 2.5 mm). The device is represented by two cutting bases and two long handles, thanks to which the necessary pressure is created during the cutting process.

Important! The longer the handles, the easier it is to cut metal products.

To cut a sheet of metal evenly, the blades of the scissors must be positioned at a certain angle

The electric tool is mainly used for processing corrugated and other sheet metal of complex configuration. Such a tool is not used for conventional cutting.

Manual types of scissors are mainly equipped with a rigid blade made of HSS steel with a hardness of 65 NRC. There are less durable models that are made of alloy 59 NRC or tool 56 NRC steel, which reduces the price of manual metal shears. To increase the efficiency of many variants of the tool, each blade is coated with a special substance in the form of titanium nitride, which gives the product additional hardness, making it possible to process very thick metal sheets.

The metal scissor blade can be with a smooth or jagged edge. The first option is used to make a smooth cutting line, but during the cutting process the sheet may slip out. Thanks to the jagged edges, the product does not fall out. However, this type of blade does not provide a smooth cut.

Scissor jaws can have different profiles. In the first case, when cutting off a sheet, a piece of metal will bend, without interfering with cutting the product further. In the second case, the cut-off metal product is blocked on one of the jaws.

The blades of hand scissors on metal can be either with a smooth or jagged edge

What to choose manual professional metal scissors

Considering different versions of the tool, you should immediately decide which is better to buy metal scissors – right or left. What is the difference between the devices, you can understand judging by how the tool functions. The right–acting scissors carry out a rectilinear or curved cut from left to right, and the left-acting ones – from right to left. There is a separate type of tool in the form of straight metal scissors. They are used to perform a direct cut. These scissors have a yellow handle.

Useful advice! From a practical point of view, the left-acting metal scissors are more ergonomic and convenient due to the fact that the wrist is on the inside, and this eliminates rapid fatigue of the hands and increases comfort when cutting.

Before choosing hand scissors for metal, you should familiarize yourself with the options for making the tool. Depending on this criterion, there are forged, cast and composite models. The first type of tool is characterized by high strength and high cost. Thanks to the sharp cutting bases, fast and high-quality cutting of any sheet metal, including aluminum and thick steel, is ensured. The handles of the product are made of durable polyamide.

For the manufacture of cast scissors, a less durable material is required than for the creation of forged products. They are characterized by low cost, short-lived, but they work quite efficiently.

Manual metal shears can be forged, cast and composite

Compound scissors are equipped with a lever mechanism, which ensures uniform pressing on the cutting surface. The dilution of the handles is due to the spring mechanism of reverse action, which makes the operation of the scissors simple and convenient. The blades of such lever scissors on metal are made of durable steel, and the handles are made of soft plastic.

For cutting mild steel and low-carbon tin, tin hand shears equipped with short blades and long handles are used. Tin models perform a straight cut with a smooth bend. It is also possible to carry out circular patterns on a metal sheet.

Which metal shears are better: an overview of different types of tools

The most common option is universal metal shears. The tool has compact dimensions and light weight. With its help, it is possible to cut and mold small and large metal sheets, process the corners and the center of the workpieces.

Useful advice! The versatile tool can be used to cut small cables.

The most common are universal metal shears

For cutting thin metal sheets with a thickness of no more than 5 mm, metal corners and iron rods, manual lever metal shears are usually used. Such a tool has two flat blades that are interconnected by a large screw. The lower part of the knife is attached to the workbench, and the upper part is fixed in the handle area. This arrangement contributes to the deformation of the dense surface.

The cutting iron is fixed in the area of the lower knife. At the same time, a guide marking is located in the area of the upper blade. The mechanism is actuated by a lever.

A good hand-held professional metal scissors for cutting long metal workpieces is the alligator type of tool. The tool got this name due to the presence of a hinged jaw for cutting. The device is actuated by means of a hydraulic cylinder. This type of tool is characterized by strength, durability and low cost, but performs inaccurate cutting and rough finishing.

Other types of metal scissors, their characteristics

For cutting lumpy sheet metal of rough shapes, you can use a desktop mechanism that performs a clean cut without burrs. It is used for processing square and round rods, with its help, angular cuts and T-shapes are made.

Guillotine metal shears can be used in mass production

For the average mass production, it is rational to purchase manual guillotine shears for metal. In them, the workpiece is clamped using a plunger. One of the blades begins to move down the stationary knife, making a cut at the same time. The driving blade can be straight or positioned at a certain angle, which is necessary for cutting a large piece of metal.

For high-performance processing of thick resistant material, it is advisable to use large manual metal shears with a lifting mechanism, in which serrated knives are mounted on a special tripod. A specialized tool with curved blades is designed for cutting the edges of a metal sheet. The scissors are capable of processing metal profiles up to 4 mm thick.

There are roller scissors, in which the role of knives is performed by super-hard rollers. Due to the minimum distance between them, when a sheet of metal is passed through, it is squeezed and separated.

Another type of tool designed for direct cutting is the Pelican metal scissors. They are very convenient to use, because during operation the handles of the tool are located on top of the metal, as a result of which it is not necessary to bend up the material being cut.

Pelican metal scissors are designed for direct cutting

Overview of the best models of sheet metal shears

Kraftool 2325-L metal shears enjoy recognized popularity. The instrument is made of chromium-molybdenum alloy. It is capable of processing sheet metal up to 1.5 mm thick. The tool is characterized by convenience and ease of use, which is achieved due to the complex design. During operation, no additional effort is required to push.

Metal scissors “Kraftul” are equipped with high limiters on the handle, which contributes to safe operation with a tool that will not slip out of your hands. Knives are fastened with staples. This model is used for cutting profiled flooring and metal tiles. The cost of the instrument is on average 1 thousand rubles.

Metal scissors Gross 78327, made of chromium-molybdenum alloy, deserve attention. The tool can cut stainless steel and non-ferrous sheet metal. Scissors are a product, all elements of which are fastened with bolts. The model is compact, versatile, and easy to use. Scissors can cut sheet metal up to 1.5 mm thick. You can buy a tool for 900 rubles.

The Stanley 2-14-563 chromium-molybdenum steel model has proven itself well. The tool has a strong and durable construction. For comfortable use, the spring is reinforced with a chrome mount. Thanks to the ergonomic handle, the tool is comfortable to hold in your hand.

Kraftool 2325-L metal scissors are made of chromium-molybdenum alloy and cut metal up to 1.5 mm thick

Metal shears have a hardened serrated blade, which prevents the metal sheet from slipping off during cutting, so that the process is quick and easy. The cost of the tool is on average 850 rubles.

Important! This model of scissors can be used for cutting copper, aluminum and plastic.

Design features of electric metal shears

Studying what kind of scissors there are, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of an electrified tool. In appearance, electric metal shears are similar to a grinder. Small models are equipped with a narrow oblong body, so that they are comfortable to hold in your hand. Larger, powerful options for ease of use have a remote handle.

The body of the metal electric scissors is made of impact-resistant structural ABS plastic, in the inner cavity of which the motor is located. The front part has a multi-stage gearbox in a metal casing. In this node, the rotational movement of the spindle is converted into reciprocating, so that the cutting equipment begins to work.

In appearance, electric scissors on metal resemble a grinder

The working body of the electric scissors works on the same principle as that of manual models. When the sheet metal passes between the static and movable elements, it is cut.

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Electric metal shears are characterized by a number of advantages over manual tools. During the processing of sheet metal, no effort is needed, since the process is performed automatically, thereby increasing productivity. Since there is no need for tactile contact in the process of work, the likelihood of injury is minimized.

Useful advice! If you want to save money, you can purchase a drill attachment instead of metal scissors, which will perform the functions of a cutting tool.

Electric knives can be used for cutting thick metal workpieces up to 5 mm thick. At the same time, a smooth and clean cut is provided. The possibility of deformation or damage to the integrity of the workpiece is excluded. Such a tool is capable of processing non-ferrous alloys, composite and polymer materials that a manual device cannot handle. Electric scissors can cut not only smooth sheets, but also profile materials. With the help of the tool, complex curved elements can be made according to a template.

Electric knives on metal can cut workpieces up to 5 mm thick

Varieties of electric scissors for metal, characteristics of the tool

Electric metal shears according to the method of deformation of the processed material are sheet, slotted and cut-out. The first type of tool, according to the principle of operation, is most similar to a manual device. The static knife is securely fixed on a rigid support element, which has a horseshoe-shaped design. The movable blade operates in a vertical plane by means of reciprocating movements.

Electric sheet metal shears can process sheet metal of different thickness. The device is pre-configured by reinstalling the support pad, thereby adjusting the gap between the lower and upper knives.

The sheet tool is characterized by high speed and productivity of work, precision of direct cutting. It is capable of snacking materials in the form of wire or folds. During the processing of the material, no waste is generated in the form of small and long spiral chips. Due to the fact that the knives have a square shape with cutting edges at the edges, when one of them is blunted, you can change the position of the blade by placing it on the sharp side.

Of the disadvantages, it should be highlighted that it is possible to process the workpiece only from its edge. Scissors are characterized by bulkiness, do not differ in maneuverability, which is necessary for curved cuts and profile blanks. The price of sheet metal scissors starts from 6 thousand rubles.

Electric metal shears are sheet, slotted and cut-out

Characteristic differences of slotted scissors on metal

The slotted design is equipped with two knives. One of them is fixed and fixed from above. It is made in a U-shaped design, equipped with two cutting edges. The lower blade of the tool performs reciprocating movements in the vertical plane with entry into the groove of the stationary knife of electric scissors.

The tool can be adapted to different thicknesses of sheet metal, which is carried out thanks to the option of adjusting the gap between the knives. When cutting a metal workpiece, a thin spiral chip is formed, which goes up and to the side. Periodically, it must be cut with wire cutters.

Slotted metal shears can cut the workpiece in any part of it, while the deformation of the sheet is excluded, and the cut is smooth and clean. The tool can be used to make holes, which is very important when solving the question of how to enlarge a hole in metal without a drill. Thanks to the narrow nose, the device is convenient to work in hard-to-reach places. The scissors do a good job with the folds of the steel sheet.

Important! Slotted metal shears can be used for cutting metal sheets with a thickness of no more than 2 mm.

Slotted metal shears are used for cutting metal with a thickness of not more than 2 mm

Characteristic features of die-cut metal shears

Cutting electric metal shears are a compact cutting press that can be moved manually along the web in a given cutting direction.

The design consists of a matrix and a punch. The first element has a round or square shape, it is fixed on the matrix holder. The punch acts as a punch. It is a movable element of the structure. The punch is fixed in the slider, performing reciprocating movements transmitted by the crank mechanism.

Important! Since the matrix and the punch have the same shape, in case one of the elements fails, they are changed in pairs.

Square-shaped electric metal cutting shears are designed for processing sheet material with a thickness of more than 3 mm, and round ones can cut metal with a thickness of up to 3 mm. During the cutting process, the punch will make holes in the sheet that form a continuous track. Its width is equal to the diameter of the cutting element. The die and punch are equipped with the option of stepless 360-degree rotation, which ensures ease when performing curved cutting. To reach hard-to-reach areas, the matrix is fixed with an angular interval equal to 90 °.

Die-cut metal shears provide a clean cut and do not deform the workpiece

Metal cutting shears are characterized by versatility, good maneuverability, minimum turning radius, extended functionality, good visibility of the working area. The tool is capable of performing curved cuts, a variety of holes and die-cuts according to a template. He can start work not only from the edge, but also from the central part of the workpiece. The tool provides a clean cut without deformation of the workpiece. Due to the considerable power of the device, the scissors can process a thick workpiece.

One of the disadvantages of the tool is its ability to strictly maintain a given straight line. It is difficult to cope with the thickness differences on the workpiece. In the process of work, a large amount of metal waste is formed in the form of sharp sickle-shaped chips.

Popular models of electric cutting shears for metal

The electric model Hitachi CN16SA for cutting corrugated sheets is in demand among consumers. The tool has a power of 400 watts. It is capable of cutting a metal sheet with a thickness of 1.6 mm. Scissors can work in three directions. The tool is characterized by ergonomics, so that it is convenient to hold it with one hand during operation. When cutting, sawdust is thrown down, which eliminates the possibility of waste getting into the eyes. You can buy a tool for 8 thousand rubles.

Another popular model is the Makita JN1601 metal cutting shears, which are used for processing conventional and corrugated metal sheets. The instrument is characterized by a power of 550 watts. It has compact dimensions, ergonomic shape, which contributes to the efficient operation of the scissors on the metal “Makita”.

For cutting corrugated sheets, the electric model Hitachi CN16SA is very popular among users

The tool performs a straight and curly cut of sheet and corrugated material, the thickness of which does not exceed 2.5 mm. It is equipped with a built-in thickness gauge, which simplifies its operation. The cutting head is capable of 360° rotation and can be installed in four positions. The cost of electric scissors for metal “Makita” is on average 18 thousand rubles.

The model “ZUBR ZNL-500” with a power of 500 W has proven itself well, designed for straight and curly cutting with a radius of up to 40 mm of sheet metal with a thickness of no more than 2.5 mm. The tool provides a clean and smooth cut. Thanks to the rubberized housing, the device is convenient to hold in one hand.

Metal scissors “ZUBR” are equipped with knives with four cutting edges, which contributes to the efficient and productive operation of the device. The model is equipped with a set of probes for adjusting the device to different metal thicknesses. The cost of the tool is 5 thousand rubles.

The Status NC380 die-cut electric metal shears are popular. The tool can carry out straight and curly cutting of metal sheets with a thickness of no more than 2 mm, works with metal tiles. The cutting process can be performed both horizontally and vertically, while the material is not deformed, and the cut is smooth and clean. You can buy a tool for 7 thousand rubles.

The Makita JN1601 metal cutting shears have compact dimensions and ergonomic shape

What are hydraulic metal shears?

Hydraulic shears are similar in principle to a traditional manual or electric tool. The difference lies only in the method of applying force to the cutting element, which is carried out through a pump or hydraulic cylinder. As a result, the force of action on the blade increases several times. This contributes to a significant increase in efficiency, facilitating the process and increasing work efficiency.

Hydraulic shears consist of a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, a rod, knives, a pressure sleeve, a rotary coupling, a drain valve, handles. The hydraulic drive is fixed to one lever immobile, and the second element is connected to a lever that pumps pressure in the cylinder, and in this case a compressor or a manual lever can be used.

Hydraulic shears are characterized by autonomy, mobility and safety in operation. The tool provides a clean, high-quality cut. Since the blade moves at a low speed, this makes it easier to control the work process. The price of manual hydraulic metal shears starts from 4 thousand rubles.

Hydraulic shears, depending on the principle of operation, can be knife and die-cut. The first option is used to process the edges of the workpiece. Cutting shears on metal allow cutting from the middle of the sheet.

Hydraulic metal shears are characterized by mobility, autonomy and safety

Depending on the design, there are manual, stationary and guillotine metal shears. The first option is represented by a compact tool that cuts thin steel sheets, rebars and bars. A stationary tool is a high-power equipment that has a hydraulic drive connected to a compressor. Such a device produces all options for cutting metal parts of any complexity, and also performs cutting.

Guillotine shears perform fast cutting and shaping of smooth seams. They are compact in size and have good power, which is enough to work in workshops. This type of tool allows you to cut exclusively in a straight line.

How to sharpen metal scissors at home

In the process of long-term operation, sooner or later the question arises how to sharpen scissors on metal. To facilitate the process, it is necessary to disassemble the tool, using both sides of the knife as separate elements. In addition, thanks to this, the procedure will become completely safe.

If the metal scissors only need to be corrected, then you can use a stone with a grain size of 1000

To sharpen scissors, it is important to choose the right whetstone. If the tool needs to be slightly sharpened, you can use a thin stone with a grain size of 1000. To sharpen a blunt tool, the edges are pre-processed with a coarser grinding element with a grain size of 100-400, and then a thinner one.

Useful advice! Since metal shears are mainly made of galvanized steel, any type of abrasive can be used to sharpen them.

The best grinding material is diamond stone, which provides a good effect and will last for a long period. For more accurate results, you can use aluminum oxide or ceramics.

To sharpen a very blunt tool, sharpening begins with a grindstone with a grain size of 100-400

First of all, the inner part of the first blade is sharpened. The whetstone must be moistened, then the blade must be placed on its surface. The knife is moved from its intersection with the handle to the tip. When sharpening, the entire length of the stone is used, and too much pressure should not be applied.

The next step is sharpening the edges. In this case, the entire surface of the blade should be in contact with the stone. Over the entire surface of the sharpening, translational movements are made from the center to the tip of the blade. In the same way, the other cutting halves of the scissors are sharpened. At the end, both parts are folded, a couple of cutting movements are performed.

Metal scissors are a versatile tool that is necessary for both home and professional use. Thanks to a wide range of product varieties, you can choose a suitable model that meets the stated requirements.