Principles of selection and operation of slotted metal shears

Varieties

Slotted scissors are divided according to several criteria. If we talk about workflow automation, there are two groups:

1. Hand tools. Simple designs, the principle of operation of which directly depends on the transmitted effort from a person.
2. Electric tool. An automated mechanism that only requires a person to turn it on and hold it along a given cutting path. They speed up the production process and allow for more precise cutting.

Manual and electric models allow you to make curved and straight cuts. According to the method of power supply, equipment is of two types:

1. Connect directly via the network.
2. Battery usage.

The first models are considered more powerful, however, they do not allow work to be carried out in hard-to-reach places without connecting to a common network.

Hand scissors for cutting metal

Advantages of electric scissors

If we compare manual scissors with their electrically powered counterparts, the latter will be preferable for a number of reasons:

Despite all the advantages, even such modern technology is not without its drawbacks. Fortunately, there are few of them. Read more about the types of electrical devices for cutting metal parts below.

Selection principles

When choosing slotted scissors, you need to pay attention to a number of parameters:

1. Electric motor power. The cutting ability, the weight of the entire structure, and its dimensions depend on this.
2. Power supply – from mains or battery.
3. The thickness of the metal that is acceptable for cutting.
4. Speed ​​of cutting blades.

Before purchasing, it is advisable to hold the power tool in your hands to understand how ergonomic it is and how comfortable it is to hold it in weight.

Advantages and disadvantages

All power tools have strengths and weaknesses. Advantages of electric scissors:

1. Ability to cut uneven surfaces.
2. Speed ​​is higher than that of hand tools.
3. High cutting precision. Just keep a straight line.
4. The design allows you to cut metal sheets in hard-to-reach places.
5. There is no deformation of the material during cutting. The result is a high quality finished cut.

Main disadvantages:

1. It is not possible to cut metal sheets thicker than 2 mm.
2. The lower knife has to be changed frequently because it quickly becomes dull.
3. Large rotation angle of the tool when cutting sheet material.

Some workers consider the large mass of professional scissors to be a separate disadvantage. Because of this, they are uncomfortable to hold in your hand for a long time while working.

Manufacturers and cost

Among the most popular foreign manufacturers of electric metal shears are:

1. Hitachi - Japan.
2. Makita - Japan.
3. Metabo - Germany.
4. Bosh - Germany.

Among domestic manufacturers, the following companies stand out: Energomash, Kalibr. The average price for popular models of electric scissors is about 7,000 rubles. Domestic producers have lower prices than foreign ones. The price increases depending on the power of the electric motor, build quality, type of power supply, brand recognition, and the presence of additional functions (work area illumination, laser pointer).

Electric scissors model

Types and modifications of electric shears for metal

There are three main types of electric scissors, differing in their functionality, design and principle of operation. So all models are divided into sheet, slotted and die-cut modifications. Next, we will consider in detail the features of each type.

Sheet shears

In terms of its design features and operating principle, this tool most closely resembles household scissors. A static knife is fixed to a rigid horseshoe-shaped support element in a horizontal plane. A movable knife operates in a perpendicular (vertical) plane through reciprocating movements.

By reinstalling the support platform, you can adjust the gap between the upper and lower knives, adjusting the electric shears to work with material of a certain thickness.

+ Advantages of electric sheet shears

1. high speed and productivity (suitable for dismantling metal structures);
2. accuracy of straight cuts and some types of shaped cutting;
3. ease of cutting materials (wire, folds, etc.);
4. during the cutting process, material waste in the form of long and small spiral chips is not generated;
5. the ability to cut metal sheets with a thickness of 4-5 mm;
6. the possibility of long-term use of one cutting blade (square-shaped knives with cutting edges along the edges; if one of the edges becomes blunt, you can change the position of the knife by moving its sharp side to the working position).

– Disadvantages of sheet metal shears

1. The main disadvantage is that you can start cutting the workpiece with sheet metal scissors only from its edge.
2. In addition, such devices are characterized by insufficient maneuverability when performing curved cuts and profile workpieces.
3. In addition, they have a somewhat bulky design.

Slotted electric shears

This modification also has a pair of knives in its design. One of them is fixed at the top, it is motionless, has a U-shape and two cutting edges. The lower knife performs reciprocating movements in a vertical position, entering the groove of the stationary upper element of the electric scissors. When cutting, thin spiral chips are formed. There is also a function for adjusting the gap between the knives, which allows you to adapt the device to the thickness of a specific metal sheet.

In high-quality models, the chips go up and to the side, without interfering with the view or causing damage to the workpiece. The shavings are periodically cut with special nippers.

+ Advantages of slotted electric shears

1. the ability to start cutting from any area of ​​the workpiece (can be used to make holes);
2. the machine copes well with local unevenness of the steel sheet (rebates);
3. the sheet is not deformed when sawing;
4. slotted electric shears for metal hold a given line well;
5. The narrow nose of the device makes it easy to work in hard-to-reach places.

– Disadvantages of slotted electric shears

1. splined models are the weakest of all modifications, because the maximum material thickness they can handle is only 2 mm;
2. have an impressive turning radius;
3. short operation of the lower movable knife.

Nibblers (nibblers)

Electric metal nibblers are essentially a miniature punching press that can be manually moved along the web in a given direction. The design of this equipment includes the same elements as stationary metalworking equipment - a matrix and a punch.

A matrix is ​​a static square or round element fixed in a matrix holder. The punch, which is a moving part of the equipment, acts as a punch. It is attached to a slider, which performs reciprocating movements transmitted by a crank mechanism. The shape of the punch fully matches the shape of the matrix. If it is necessary to replace one of the elements, they are changed in pairs.

Round cutting elements are designed for working with thin sheet materials (up to 3 mm), and square ones for thicker workpieces. The die and punch have a stepless 360-degree rotation function, making curved cuts easy. To make it easier to reach very difficult to reach areas, the matrix can be fixed at angular intervals of 90º.

During the operation of electric nibblers, the punch cuts out holes in the metal sheet, from which a continuous track is formed, a width equal to the diameter of the punch.

Some type of nibblers are nibblers for corrugated sheets with high trapezoidal corrugation.

+ Advantages of electric nibblers

1. high maneuverability and versatility (the ability to make curved cuts, template cuts and a variety of holes);
2. the smallest turning radius among other models of electric scissors;
3. expanded functionality (you can quickly replace cutting elements);
4. good visibility of the working area;
5. the possibility of cutting not only from the edge, but also from the middle of the workpiece (you must first drill a hole);
6. very clean cut, no deformation on the workpiece;
7. the ability to work with thick workpieces (most electric nibblers have significant power).

– Disadvantages of electric nibblers

1. the formation during the cutting process of waste in the form of sharp metal “confetti” of a crescent shape, abundantly sprinkled on the operator’s shoes and clothes;
2. difficult to maintain a straight cutting line;
3. poor permeability in places where there is a difference in thickness (for example, biting the fold).

DIY making

Making electric scissors with your own hands is extremely difficult. To do this, you need to assemble a durable plastic case. The main difficulty lies in assembling the working part. It is necessary to select a hard metal for the manufacture of cutting parts of the tool. We must not forget about the power regulator so that you can work with different types of metals.

Homemade machines are only suitable for straight cuts. If you need to make a shaped cut, you can buy hand-held metal scissors. You can find drawings of homemade machines on the Internet. It is enough to prepare consumables and perform the work as indicated in the pictures.

Electric scissors device

Some products are compact and have an oblong body, which resembles an angle grinder. Others are larger; They are more difficult to grasp with your hand, so the design is supplemented with a handle.

The body of electric metal shears is made of impact-resistant ABS plastic. There is an engine inside it, next to it there is a gearbox, covered with a metal casing. It is in this area that the reciprocating movement occurs, due to which the attached equipment moves. Most often, the working unit includes two parts - static and movable. When moving between them, the metal sheet is cut.

Electric scissors device

Modern electric scissors are divided into three large groups. But before considering them, it is advisable to study the general advantages and disadvantages of the products.

Exploitation

In order not to injure yourself and to complete the work successfully, you must follow a number of rules for operating power tools or homemade devices. These include:

1. Wear strong gloves to protect your hands from chips and cuts from the sharp edges of metal sheets.
2. Use protective gloves.
3. It is advisable to fix the part motionless with the help of third-party devices so that you can hold and operate the power tool with both hands. This way the cuts will be smooth.
4. Clean work surfaces from foreign debris, rust, and plaque.
5. Check the integrity of the wire through which the connection to the general network occurs. Do not use twists to repair it.
6. Before starting work, check the sharpness of the cutting parts of the scissors. If they become dull or visible defects appear, the moving part must be replaced. You can buy a new element at a hardware store or the manufacturer’s service center.
7. You must not attempt to cut workpieces with a tool exceeding the maximum thickness indicated in the technical data sheet.
8. It is advisable to buy a new power tool. It comes with a warranty period.
9. If the metal is jammed between the cutting parts, you need to unplug the electric shears and try to pull them out manually. If you cannot remove metal shavings, you will need to disassemble the working part for cleaning.
10. When cutting a part, you need to hold the scissors perpendicular to the cutting line. Deviation in any direction will lead to the appearance of unevenness, burrs, and chewing.
11. Do not try to clear the cutting parts from chips when the wire is plugged in.

You cannot start repairing electric scissors yourself without practical experience. This can completely ruin them. By following the operating rules, you can protect yourself from injuries and defective workpieces.