#1
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8' Shear
I've been kicking around the idea of getting a metal shear. In a perfect world I'd like an 8' shear that is capable of cutting .080 aluminum. I could maybe get by with a 52''. That would get most signs cut to size but obviously not all, I'd still have to saw cut some (I'd sure like to get away from that entirely). The budget needs to be considered, so a good used unit might be the way to go? Has anybody bought the blades and made their own? It's just a thought at this point, might be a winter project if building is an option.
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Gary Spear |
#2
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8 foot metal shears are fairly pricey even fo fairly old machines. If you are only doing aluminum sheet most places go to using cicular hand held wood saw with carbide metal cuuting blade. You could make your own cutting table or buy a fabricated set up for large panel cutting. Used 4 and 6 foot shears can be found with a lot of looking aroung that may be affordable for you. Dutch
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Dutch Comstock 926 Shells Bush Road East Herkimer,N.Y. 13350 (315)866-3034 comstockmetalshaping.com |
#3
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I don’t know what the hardness is on your .080 aluminum sign material but you may not be able to cut it with a jump shear, then a power shear is your only shearing choice. I think if you figure your labor at even $5 an hour by the time you buy even used steel and pay for machine work you likely can’t afford building a shear compared to buying a decent used one. The blade clearance (air gap) is absolutely critical as they pass each other over the entire 8 foot of cut. The other sad truth to consider is shop built machinery has little resale value. I also don’t know what your budget is but if I had to constantly cut out different sized rectangular blanks I would hold out for a shear with a power back gauge, it really speeds up cutting out blanks, down the road I think you will wonder how you got along without it. ~ John Buchtenkirch
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#4
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the power back gauge isnt nesassary. i just use my reds and green snips, i make a 1/4" notch in either side of the sheet. it acts like little hooks and keeps everything inline. greens on the left and reds on the right. what u might need is a slitter. capable of cutting sheets in any lengths. a 52" shear and a slitter, u would have it made...
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cory mackenzie |
#5
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Quote:
I bought my current Chicago / Safan shear only for it’s 10 gauge capacity. We removed the backgauge to transport it to my shop on a car carrier. I ran the shear without the back gauge for over a year because I couldn’t see it’s value. After I finally hooked it up and got used to it I wondered to myself what the hell I took me so long. It’s very easy to get spoiled by upgraded equipment especially if you have the $$$ work to keep it busy . ~ John Buchtenkirch !1ashear111.jpg |
#6
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Thanks for the replies everybody. I found two 52" gap shears in my price range. The first one the guy was supposed to get back to me with shipping info. but never called back. In the meantime I found the second unit, better price even with shipping. It's not a done deal yet, I'll post pics. when I can.
Dutch, the saw blade is how I've been cutting them up til now. It works O.K. but I'd like to get away from the metal chips (or my wife would ) and am thinking a shear should be a little faster. I don't think this unit has a stop set up on it. But, I'm thinking as long as I have the basic shear I can fabricate accessories to make it more convenient to operate. We'll see how it works out nothing ventured nothing gained.
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Gary Spear |
#7
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john, last week i had 9 guys working in the shop. the time it takes for that gauge to travel back and forth for all the diffrent sizes of cuts bettween them all, would be retarded. it happen with the guys in school, 12 students 1 shear and a power back gauge. the majority of time was trying to set it and keep it on the gauge, if it was a long pce. not saying that in your shop or any1 elses shop its not a asset. i myself dont like it.
thou that is a nice looking shear u got. heres the 1 i use cory
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cory mackenzie Last edited by mmacmmac; 11-05-2010 at 06:39 PM. Reason: adding |
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