Cutting and trimming sheet metal is basically the starting point of many fabrication projects. Shearing is the most typical approach to cutting these materials.

Shearing is a fabrication method that involves cutting straight lines on flat metal materials, without forming chips, with the use of melting or burning. Aluminum, mild and stainless steel, brass and bronze are commonly sheared materials. Shearing can provide benefits to every project including:

It can accurately cut materials according to required sizes and shapes

Easier operations can be enjoyed due to adjustable blades that can be aligned to your cutting preferences

You will experience straighter lines with less bends and rough edges compared with other cutting methods

Choosing the right equipment for every shearing project is important. Here are some circumstances you might encounter, along with the recommended tool for the job.

When cutting big materials into smaller pieces…

Our recommendation: use Alligator Shears.

Alligator shears, also known as crocodile shears, are the ideal tool to use when working with a big piece of scrapped material or long metal materials. They are also used to process or ‘clean’ the scrap before shredding.

When dealing with rough shaped and medium sized sheet metal pieces…

Our recommendation: use Bench Shears.

Also known as lever shears, their bench mounted design affords a great deal of mechanical advantage, while performing a smooth operation. Perfect for cutting medium sized sheet fragments with rugged shapes, they can also provide adjustable blades for angle cuts and T-sections.

When you want a quick and easy fabrication…

Our recommendation: use a Guillotine.

Designed for a faster cutting process a guillotine is designed for larger shears. Its blades continuously slice from both sides of the material, thus reducing the force required and lessening the fabrication time.

Guillotines consist of upper and lower blades, a shear table, a work-holding and a gauging device. They are designed to create faster and larger cuts that are accurately measured.

When you need to cut large sheet metal for easier transport…

Our recommendation: use Power Shears.

This electrical hand shearing tool is commonly used to cut unwieldly materials. If your materials need to be transferred to another facility, power shears help to cut them.

Power shears are used to cut straight and extensive curves. Compared to bandsaws, power shears do not require a size limit.

If you prefer to cut curved lines, circles and shapes…

Our recommendation: use Tin snips.

Tin snips are classified into two: Straight-pattern and Duckbill-pattern. Straight-pattern is best for straight lines and for slightly curved cutting.

Duckbill-pattern or Trojan-pattern snips have blades that subside down from the center to the blade’s edge.

These are just some of the most commonly used pieces of equipment for shearing processes. Be more assertive when picking the right tool for your particular project and always consider choosing the right supplier to guarantee the quality of your shearing equipment.