A Tool That Helps You Safely Cut Metals and Other Materials

Cutting metals and sharp sheets is a dangerous deal. Not only is it extremely hard to cut those sharp sheets, but it also directly puts you at risk of injuries. So, it’s important for you to make sure that the shearing tool you’re going for does the job, and does it safely. 

We’re very particular about choosing our power shears and now you know why. The next few paragraphs are all about power shears, their benefits, uses, alternatives, and features. Let’s dig in!

WHAT IS A POWER SHEAR?

A power shear is an electrically-powered hand tool that’s used to pierce through sheets of metal and its likes. It contains two blades, an upper, movable one, and a lower fixed blade. It shears when the upper blade comes in contact with the lower one, piercing through the material being cut. It’s one of the safest, most durable, and most accurate shearing tools out there.

BENEFITS OF USING POWER SHEARS

Some primary advantages of using power shears over other types are:

• It’s extremely safe to shear using power shears. You don’t have to move the sheet a lot and you can easily make cuts with the help of your hand movement.
• You can make straight precise cuts as well as curves, easily. Make sure to make precise marks on the sheet using a marker before you start cutting.
• You’ll be able to maintain a high-quality finish while making large radius curves.
• The results are accurate and power shears are durable and efficient.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER TYPES OF SHEARS?

There are other types but the following are some of the most widely used shears:

Throatless shear

Throatless shears help you make all kinds of cuts. That’s the good part. The bad part is that you have to move the sheet manually which is not very safe.

Bench shear

Throatless shears don’t usually cut through thicker sheets. For thicker sheets and medium-sized cuts, you’ll need to use a bench shear.

Alligator shear

Alligator shears produce a rough and inaccurate finish. The benefits? They’re cost-effective and durable. They’re mostly preferred for shredding and cutting angle irons, L-beams and pipes.

FEATURES TO CONSIDER IN A POWER SHEAR

Cut rating

Make sure the shear or power shear you’re going with can cut the metal sheet you need it for. Most power shears are able to cut through up to 18GA materials. 

Swiveling head

The head of the shear should ideally rotate 360 degrees for hassle-free maneuverability. 

Attachment or complete tool

Many power shears come in the form of mere attachments. They’re attached on the top of a power drill or screwdriver as an add-on and do the job. Others are complete, individual tools that power with a push of a button.

Corded or cordless

Corded power shears usually have higher power than cordless ones. On the contrary, cordless ones don’t have a wire getting in the way while you’re cutting sharp sheets. The choice between corded and cordless usually comes down to personal preference. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

In addition to metal sheets, you can use power shears to make cuts in sharp plastic sheets, cardboard, cloth, wires, paper, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), wood, and similar materials. They’re safer to use than angle grinders and help come up with accurate, precise cuts, both curved and straight. Lastly, make sure you consider the aforementioned features when buying power shears. We strictly suggest that you wear proper safety gear including goggles, gloves, and a helmet when dealing with sharp objects.