Chicago Pneumatic Nibbler

[vikx]

Hello all, this is my first post. I need a little help with my CP 835 Nibbler. It is listed as one of the best for cutting metals, steel or aluminum. Today was the first trial; I was trimming thin aluminum trailer roofing in a straight line.

The first six feet went well, then the tool seemed to run out of air or "hang". Finally the head got hot so I quit. Instructions are not helpful. Compressor is a CH 4hp 26 gallon, 3/8 line. It seemed to be keeping up; even when at full pressure the tool slowed and heated.

Any ideas on what's wrong? New tool-first use, oil of course. I've never had a nibbler before. It would seem to be at full speed, then slow and hang after a short cut. Thanks, VK

 

[Shocker]

It is possible that it is a piece of ****.

 

[vikx]

I was thinking that but the reviews seem to be good. Maybe it was made on a Friday? Maybe got a lemon...

One review did say it was air hungry and needed a pro 15 hp compressor. I hope this isn't the case. Thanks, VK

 

[speed bump]

It is possible that it is a piece of ****.

He said Chicago not Cental, I know sheet metal guys who use the hell out of these with no problems so I'm going with its not a piece of ****.

Personally mine goes like a bat out of hell with no issues. I think you probably don't have enough compressor.

 

[vssjim]

Call Chicago Pneumatic and ask them they have been helpful anytime I called them, they are in Rock Hill SC. so its eastern time zone.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Are you using air tool oil?

TheGrooveking

 

[Avgas]

wow I never used a nibbler for 6 straight feet, but it does say heavy duty

 

[vikx]

Thanks. I will call Chicago Pneumatic. Hoping that it doesn't need a bigger compressor...

The metal I was cutting is thin aluminum, so figured it would cut quickly and easily. It is easy with snips but in this case, the metal was on the trailer; hard to trim to the proper length, and snips don't fit.

Appreciate the response, I'll update when this is solved. VK

 

[billymade]

I used to work in a semi trailer repair shop; we didn't use a air nibbler but a tool like this, I wonder if a air nibble is not the best tool for the job? We would do small patch jobs all the way up to replacing the whole roofs on trailers; these shears had a nice, distortion-free cut and worked well for the type of aluminum we were cutting. To cut straight we clamped a piece of angle iron as a straight edge and ran the shear down the material being cut. Good luck!

Chicago Pneumatic 785S - Heavy Duty Air Shear

http://catalogue.cp.com/e-catalogue/index_xmlhttp.asp?target=it&BA=it

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XMQS68/?tag=atomicindus08-20

These guys specialize in selling everything for trailer repair, including tools; I bet they would be a good place to call about your cutting needs... if this is all they do, they should know what works!

http://www.threedaytool.com/

Hey, check out this cool tool for drilling floor screws; I bet this would really save your back and knees doing this type of work! I wish we had one of those when we were replacing the whole floor on a flat bed trailer!

http://www.threedaytool.com/trailerbodyfloordrill.html

 

[vikx]

Thanks for the links. Always fun to look at tools!

 

[vikx]

UPDATE: Well, I have discovered part of the problem. It seems the aluminum is too soft for the nibbler. Little pieces get caught on the shaft and gum up the works...cleaned the nose and installed a new cutter; it moves freely now.

The CP sales rep was very nice and gave me ideas, mainly that my compressor provides enough air, 3/8 lines were correct and suggested debris might cause trouble, especially since it got hot. Also, this particular type of tool is better for small round cuts in harder metals.

An excuse to buy Air Shears! Will try them tomorrow but have used shears before and think they will work.

Thank you all so much for treating a newbie like a friend. VK

 

[06colorado]

Just saw this. Dad has an air nibbler, not sure of the brand, but have used it to cut aluminum sheet and computer cases. Same problem would occur- chips getting the head stuck. Usually just took pliers to pull the cutting head down or up and would clear the jam.

 

[stricht8]

You might want to think about electric shears as I understand they work better than air.

 

[Shocker]

Very true, but not all Chicago Pneumatic stuff is great.