Harbor Freight - 110v Metal Shear?

[goodysgotacuda]

I have a bunch of sheet metal work to do on my Barracuda and basically have no "sheet metal" tools. I will primarily need straight cuts, with the occasional curve/radius.

18g a, 0.04" mild steel, is what I'll be working with.


The Harbor Freight electric shear looks like something that would do me some good.

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-gauge-4-amp-heavy-duty-metal-shears-68199.html

Do you have any experience with it?
How tight of a radius can I cut with it? I would assume only very large radii.



To get in with the tighter spots, this tool seems a little better suited for making the curves, but not so much for making the long "straight" cuts I will need. My material will be at it's max rated thickness.

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gauge-35-amp-heavy-duty-metal-shears-61737.html


If I were to pickup both of these tools, should they get me pretty far? I am replacing a floor pan, building a trans tunnel, and doing some general patch work in smaller areas.


Thanks

 

[nonhog]

I've done new and used sheet metal 18G (new) with the second one. Not great but good. I'm satisfied for now. Almost like tin snips hold it just right and it whips right through.

 

[pepi]

That's junk .... will distort most of what you cut. Sheet metal is best cut, nibbler, cut off disk & grinder, or air reciprocating body hack saw. These allow greater control for the user.

 

[justanengineer]

JMO but I think the 14 ga on the first one is rather optimistic, normally Id use a nibbler for that heavy of steel not electric shears but admittedly I have no experience with the cheapies. For the not-so-low HF price I'd prob just spend the money on a Milwaukee, Ive had their shears for a few years now and really like them for hacking through tin quickly. Looks like they can still be had online for ~$90.

+1 on Pepi's point, shears are good for quick and kinda dirty, nibbler is a cleaner cut.