When do I need a nibbler?

[Raisedonadeere]

I installed metal siding and roof on a house for my SIL 28 years ago and used a nibbler, Makita I believe, but not sure about brand. It was a one time project I took on, -- just figuring out how to do it as we went. My SIL was expert on AutoCAD and so he generated a cut list and blueprint for all sheets that had window, holes, angled ends etc. My job was to purchase the metal and supervise/help install. I trimmed out the windows and doors in metal, -- adapting skills I had picked up doing vinyl siding on my house. Project went well and this metal clad house is still to this day a knockout and trouble free.

My question goes back to how is most of the metal actually cut on such projects as these. I have never seen a metal project underway except for my own. I saw metal shears and various hand tools for working this metal but which ones work best in what situation is not known by me. The nibbler worked well in that I got the job done, I recall it took a steady hand to cut a straight line, but worked well making holes after predrilling starter and I could follow what ever curve I needed. The nibble toe nail shaped chips were mostly not a problem since all the cutting was done outside in the grass, but a few did make it into my clothes and wind up in the house but no disasters.

Before I get started this summer on another similar project I want to bone up on tools needed. About a year ago I tried cutting a sheet with circular saw blade running backwards and that was fast but edge a bit ragged for my taste perhaps a purpose blade would do it. I mentioned most of the above for the benefit of opening horizon of others, the initial question is sufficient for this discussion but fire away.

 

[M_George]

I have a sheet metal shear from HF, works great!

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-gauge-4-amp-heavy-duty-metal-shears-62213.html

 

[Raisedonadeere]

Thanks I saw those and wondered how they would work. Hoping to hear what a nibbler vs shear knowledgeable guy thinks. Are there needs for what each does best? The nibblers are pretty expensive.

 

[Raisedonadeere]

BTW the nibbler punch and die worked for many many hours of continuous use. I was impressed that it never dulled through out this very detailed house project.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Nibblers are for doing radiuses or larger holes (circles). I had one years ago, and I wound up selling it because the blades just didn't last, and they were expensive. I have had better luck with offset hand shears myself.

 

[383]

Shears work great for cuts parallel to the metal ribs, a nibbler can go across the ribs and cut angles and curves.

If you are only getting one tool, get the nibbler.

 

[Raisedonadeere]

Shears work great for cuts parallel to the metal ribs, a nibbler can go across the ribs and cut angles and curves.

If you are only getting one tool, get the nibbler.

Well that explains why I was able to do the whole job with the nibbler. I went across a lot of ribs with it. I wonder if painted metal is friendlier to the punch and die than say galvanized or rusty. The one I used lasted the whole job on a medium size house with porches, gables, windows and doors and also we installed metal gutters.

Left it with my SIL and I don't know what happened to it after I finished the job.

 

[dnschmidt]

Why not use a cordless metal cutting saw unless your making circles or curved stuff. If you're just cutting sheets to size these are the absolute NUTS!!

 

[Elginz]

The main reason to have one is because you don't have one. If you have one you will not need one. The only time you need one is when you don't have one. It is better to have and not need that to need and not have. I don't have one, but I did need one several times. I have many tools I don't need just so I don't need them. But I do not have that one, maybe next time I need one.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

 

[Raisedonadeere]

The main reason to have one is because you don't have one. If you have one you will not need one. The only time you need one is when you don't have one. It is better to have and not need that to need and not have. I don't have one, but I did need one several times. I have many tools I don't need just so I don't need them. But I do not have that one, maybe next time I need one.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

You just pulled me tighter into the death spiral I was trying to break out of.

 

[Jim c]

I agree about those metal cuttin shears from hf ( air tool). Got them couple years back, not very expensive like everything at hf. Used my coupon too for 20% . Year ago had to put a rear fuel tank in 91 ford truck very difficult removal. Used those hf shears to cut around the perimeter of new rectangular tank ( outside of the seam welder, of course). I was genuinely surprised that the hf shears could do it so well because the tank is two layers thickwith twists and turns. I would say that that is about the limit of what you can do with hf shears, but for the price, I was actually impressed. They will probably break next time I use em.