Have you ever had a stack of sheet metal (with funky edges) that you've been avoiding like the plague? Wanted to make something square or rectangular but you just couldn't get those edges right? This video has it all!
But wait, there's more!!! Have you ever wanted to cut out a center shape but just weren't sure how to pull it off? Or have you ever wondered about throatless, guillotine and hand shears? Well, hold onto your hats! I cover the throatless shear, hand shears, and Pepetools' guillotine shear in this very video. Suffer no more! (Shouldn't Bob Barker pop out right about now?) (Who is Bob Barker, you ask? Obviously, I've just dated myself! Here he is: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Bar....
I have another video on KZfaq that, along with this one, will give you tons of ideas on how to clean up those messy edges! Check out the video: Flat Square Edges on Sheet Metal, here on The Tube! • Flat Square Edges on S...
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Links to Tools and Products used in this video.
There are quite a few precision shears out there but, they are pricey - but, worth it. It's an investment that will save you so much time. Consider what size your metal comes in before purchasing. If you use metal that is 12" wide X 12" long, you'll want to consider a 12" precision shear or do as I do and cut it down to size with an open-throat shear first.
Another few things to consider: What gauge will it cut? Is it a shear designed for metal and if so, what kind of metal? If it will cut steel, it will be good for copper, brass, bronze, nickel, silver, and gold. Do you need to cut angles? If so, does it have an adjustable ruler? Personally, I don't like a moveable ruler as it often goes out of square. You can use a square to check that your ruler is aligned, though. Also, consider having a light over your shear so that you can see your scribe/Sharpie marks.
PepeTools makes the 6" Guillotine Shear which you can find here, pepetools.com/products/6-desi.... This shear has saved me HOURS and HOURS of time. All I do is mark my metal and cut - violá, it's square and even.
Grizzly sells a 12" shear that is reasonable (in comparison to some): Grizzly T27140 - 12" Heavy-Duty Bench Shear. This is a paper cutter style shear which is different from a guillotine shear.
Durston also makes 12" shears
Throatless or Open-Throat Shear - amzn.to/36alj8L. This link is to a variety of throat-less shears. Mine is from Harbor Freight but, these are similar. This shear is great for cutting large sheets of metal but, it difficult to produce square, accurate cuts. I use this shear to cut down larger pieces so that they fit in my 6" shear.
12" Hand File, Bastard cut - These big girls are useful for so many different projects. I use them with polymer clay and metal clay as well as sheet metal. I also use them to shape my silicone polishers. If you have a choice, go with the big girls (12") although a 10" will work! amzn.to/3QPGLXK
One of the best, aggressive files - that I love - is the Crescent Nicholson 14" Flat Magicut® File, Amazon - 07965N, amzn.to/3AvRYYb
Combination square - amzn.to/3SZgCYr. Great for checking square on your metal and on your bench shear!
I find Machinist's Squares useful too. Amazon, amzn.to/3QuRE1o
Digital Caliper - Tons to choose from. My favorites are from Mitutoyo: amzn.to/382eeJ6. Other types are available everywhere. Here's an Amazon link: amzn.to/3K7QgQ6
Dividers - My favorites are the Starrett. They are more expensive but, fit better in your hand and at 3" aren't overwhelming large! Plus, I find them pretty! amzn.to/2r9B3d7
Circle Templates - amzn.to/34Qc6Ss
Square Template - amzn.to/33HLUZ7
Sharpie retractable - amzn.to/2YecCHv. Have one or two in my hand every day!
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