Rockable
Well-known member
Does anyone make a throatless, electric shear that is similar to the Makita JS 1602? Anyone have experience with this shear? Looks pretty neat but a little pricey
Makita JS 1602
- Thread starter Rockable
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mike93lx
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KnurledNut
Well-known member
We used a Makita years ago. I dont remember the model number but it looked similar and may have been that one. I remember it was expensive and well made. Used it for sheet metal fab.
neophyte
Well-known member
Electric shears are almost always pricey, similar to electric nibblers.
Electric shears and nibblers are basically specialist tools, with prices to match, and the only “cheaper” options, are usually “no brand” adapters you power with a drill, or cheap pneumatic versions, usually made for cutting thin gauge mild steel.
The Harbor Freight option is likely the most readily available “cheaper” option, from a company with actual stores you can go into, and maybe with an actual warrantee.
This type of shear comes in various gauge capacities, with the price usually rising as the gauge increases.
Bosch makes a cordless shear, for their 10.8v/12v lithium battery system, that might be smaller and handier, but you might have to order it from Europe, and the cost would be higher than the Makita.
The Makita at $230 is fairly affordable as this type of shear goes.
Similar Trumpf and Fein shears sell for $700-$1100.
Similar Bosch shears are around $350-$400, and the same goes for Metabo and Kett, although I think Kett may have discontinued their version.
The Harbor Freight shear is less than the cost of buying a single replacement cutter for most electric shears.
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Rabid Badger
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I was always under the impression that the Makita was the cheaper one...
KnurledNut
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Mohawk Dave
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My old Bosch ones are great (Germany IIRC). Same with my old Milwaukee (USA or maybe Japan??? Don't remember rn). Oh yeah, my old B&D one is nice also. Most of my old stuff came from estate sales /swap meets etc. Had to buy new cutters for the majority of them, but still came out ahead for price & quality.
There is also nibblers like others said which I really like because it will not bend light sheet metal as much as a shear (not saying a shear bends it terribly).
I know you didn't ask for this, but whilst we're on the subject, for larger gauge metal there is gobblers. I have some big boy Modern Nibbler Gobblers. Here is a link for anyone interested. https://www.westwaymachinery.com/equipment/modern-nibbler-model-sn-41/
There is also nibblers like others said which I really like because it will not bend light sheet metal as much as a shear (not saying a shear bends it terribly).
I know you didn't ask for this, but whilst we're on the subject, for larger gauge metal there is gobblers. I have some big boy Modern Nibbler Gobblers. Here is a link for anyone interested. https://www.westwaymachinery.com/equipment/modern-nibbler-model-sn-41/
