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Post by jackbaynes on Oct 9, 2006 15:06:45 GMT
Hi all, I wonder if someone can help.
I'm trying to find a sheet metal cutting tool, either hand operated or electric to cut 18 gauge brass, not too expensive. The normal tinsnips are no match for it.
I bought a pair of metal shears from Machine Mart called hand nibbler, the type that cuts out a 1/8" strip which leaves the sheet fairly undistorted, it says they will cut up to 18 gauge steel but the blade snapped off after hardly any use, I returned it and they gave me a replacement saying that it was probably an odd one that had not been tempered properly, now this one has broken too!!
The ones I've seen on Ebay are the nibbler type, air operated and i'm not sure that the compressor I have would deliver enough air voluum to work it.
Any advice would be greatfully appreciated... Jack
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Post by baggo on Oct 9, 2006 17:18:20 GMT
Hi Jack,
Axminster sell a power nibbler that fits in an ordinary electric drill and is supposed to cut steel up to 2mm for £21 . Seems quite reasonable and you get a spare die and cutter included. I bought a similar one years ago but haven't used it for some time. Seem to remember it worked quite well.
For long straight cuts in sheet copper etc. I use a special hacksaw that has a thin plate for the frame and enables you to make cuts as long as you want, unlike the ordinary hacksaws where the tubular frame stops you after a short while!
John
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Post by ron on Oct 9, 2006 18:55:39 GMT
Hi Jack
I've one of these nibblers that John described, very effective, a bit difficult to guide in a straight line though, you really need someting like a piece of wood clamped to the sheet metal to act as a guide.
Ron
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2006 19:04:10 GMT
Hi
I've never used one of those nibblers, but I know they produce nasty little crescent shaped chips that seem to get into everything. I've seen somebody cutting up corrugated sheeting for cladding an industrial building, and it seemed to work quite well, apart from him leaving the chips all over the place.
My choice for cutting up brass for a tender, both 18 swg and 16swg is an electric jigsaw. The one I have is made by bosch and has a speed control. It works very well with a fine metal cutting blade using the slowest speed.
Hope this helps
Regards Trevor
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Post by Tel on Oct 9, 2006 20:10:36 GMT
For long straight cuts in sheet copper etc. I use a special hacksaw that has a thin plate for the frame and enables you to make cuts as long as you want, unlike the ordinary hacksaws where the tubular frame stops you after a short while! John
I get pretty good results with a 5" angle grinder & one o' them very thin blades. |
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Uzzy
Hi-poster
Posts: 153
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Post by Uzzy on Oct 9, 2006 20:25:51 GMT
I have one that goes in an Electric drill and as mentioned previously leaves little cresents but it definatly works a treat I think I got mine from a MEX in Wembley which goes to show its age. If I get a chance I will ahve a look and let you know the make.
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Uzzy
Hi-poster
Posts: 153
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Post by Uzzy on Oct 9, 2006 20:26:20 GMT
I have one that goes in an Electric drill and as mentioned previously leaves little cresents but it definately works a treat I think I got mine from a MEX in Wembley which goes to show its age. If I get a chance I will have a look and let you know the make.
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Post by steamjohn248 on Oct 9, 2006 21:32:08 GMT
You can use an electric jig saw to cut STEEL thicker than 2mm, provided you keep it cool and lubricated, so brass should be no trouble. Like Tel I use and angle frinder with thin discs but watch it does'nt jam and shattter, it stings!
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Post by chris vine on Oct 9, 2006 21:55:11 GMT
Hi,
I found for sheet brass the best thing is a small bandsaw. The little 3 wheel type machines which are quite cheap, at B and Q et al, although designed for wood are fine for brass up to around 1.6mm. Some have a variable speed.
I found the blades lasted for ages and it is a much nicer process than using an electric jigsaw.
Chris.
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Post by jackbaynes on Oct 10, 2006 17:40:10 GMT
Hi to all those who responded,
Many thanks for all your suggestions, I like the slimline hacksaw for straight cuts although I've never seen one, never thought of using an angle grinder but better not...I dont want to upset the neighbours. I think it will be a tossup between the nibbler attachment and the band saw, preferably the saw if I can find the extra pennies. All ideas much appreciated.
Regards .. Jack
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Post by baggo on Oct 11, 2006 10:41:17 GMT
Hi Jack, Out of interest here's a photo of the sheet metal saw. I got it from RS about 25 years ago for cutting up printed circuit boards but they don't seem to sell them anymore. I've had a quick search around and can't find anybody who sells them now! John  |
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waggy
Statesman
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Post by waggy on Oct 11, 2006 17:33:55 GMT
Jack,
Be wary of the bandsaws B&Q and other stores sell. They have a very fast blade speed and burn teeth off the finer blades for fun. I have one, a lovely two wheel machine. It's ideal for wood but too fast for metal. I have managed to reduce the speed by fitting a drive pulley a shade bigger than the motor shaft, it works OK on brass but still too fast for steel.
I plan, eventually to modify the beast and fit a layshaft drive, this will reduce the speed and add greater cutting power at the teeth.
Waggy.
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Post by jackbaynes on Oct 11, 2006 19:20:36 GMT
Hi John and Waggy,
Thanks for picture John, would'nt be too difficult to knock one up. Waggy, I think your right about the high speed of bandsaws, still fancy one though with a bit of modification to reduce the speed.
Thanks again for all your suggestions and interest.
Jack
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Post by chris vine on Oct 12, 2006 9:11:00 GMT
Hi Waggy,
The bandsaw I used for brass was the three wheel, cheap type made by Burgess and similar. I think the newer B and Q ones, (some with 2 wheels) maybe much faster, dont know though!
Chris
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Oct 12, 2006 9:47:38 GMT
HI Jack
I have a cheap Chinese hand operated shears ,it cuts anything up to 16G .when I need a lot of cutting , I mark the sheet and take it to sheet metal shop and for a few dollars the job is done. Few small trimming with my hand operated shears and the job is complete .
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waggy
Statesman
Posts: 747
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Post by waggy on Oct 12, 2006 11:55:38 GMT
Hi Chris,
I've got an old three wheel type, I use it for brass and thinner steel but the blades don't last! I've tried oil and parrafin as a cutting fluid, doesn't make a lot of difference. I've tried to get better quality blades, no joy. Anybody know of a supplier of quality blades?
Waggy
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waggy
Statesman
Posts: 747
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Post by waggy on Oct 12, 2006 11:56:54 GMT
Wondered why I felt stiff, I've just become seasoned! Waggy.  |
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Post by spurley on Oct 12, 2006 12:08:14 GMT
Hey Waggy Seasoned is OK, hoping there might be a pickled one coming up ;D Brian Well seasoned and hoping to be pickled soon |
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Post by greasemonkey on Oct 12, 2006 13:10:52 GMT
Hi All Intresting thread, as someone who can't cut very long straight lines I now get my larger platework CNC machined for me. ;D I find I waste less brass that way.  Are the cutting speeds of the modern band saws from the likes of B&Q a result of them being designed for the home DIY enthusiast who normally just cuts wood? cheers Andy |
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Lurkio
Seasoned Member
Posts: 101
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Post by Lurkio on Oct 12, 2006 15:45:37 GMT
Hi Jack,
You don't say how many parts you're going to cut from your brass sheet, or how long the cut(s) will be.
If it's just a one-off job then you could knock yourself up what I'd call a pad saw, i.e. knock up a handle to hold half a hack-saw blade. It can be laborious to use, but if you're a tightwad like me, so what?
Though I must say I fancy one of baggo's sheet metal saws....
Lurkio.
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