plasma vs. shear

[dberry]

I am looking for the most effiecent way to cut 3/16 sheet. Most will be about 5 feet long by 8 inches wide. I am looking at a throatless hand operated shear or plasma cutter. Obviously the plasma is a better all around tool, while the shear is more one dimensional (and cheaper). Has anyone used these shears? How effecient are they? I am leaning toward the plasma, but anyones thoughts would be helpful!

Damon

 

[Loghead]

Plasma cutters are great all around tools, but it sounds as if you'll be doing alot of one shape cutting (5ft x 8in). You didn't say whether the edges will need to be prepped for welding, so I'll assume that they will. Since, in spite of the plasma cutters versatility, you'll still need to do at least some grinding of edges when you plasma-cut, I'd look at the shears. Shears will give a nice, ready-to-weld edge with minimal cleanup.

 

[dberry]

Yes, they will need to be welded. How easy are the shears to operate, am I going to be able to workout after using one, or will it be my workout ?

 

[EKlem]

You will defintely get a workout cutting 3/16 using a shear but you will get much better results than with the plasma cutter. I try to stay away from using a plasma cutter as much as I can because they take so long to clean up the edge on. Make sure that you get a shear that is up to the job. You can damage it if it isn't. I have cut 1/4" with a shear and it was about the limit of what it could handle. All of the shears that I get to use are at least 20 years old so I unfortunately can't provide any suggestions on who makes a good one.

 

[Hoefler]

See if your steel supplier has a shear. Mine will shear just about anything I need at little or no charge. That is what I do.

 

[JOdell]

I run a shear all day at work. We have a BETENBENDER hydraulic shear 8' wide and it will cut 3/16 plate. The cylinders on that puppy are HUGE! I can't imagine a foot operated shear cutting that thick. -Jason

 

[daytripper63]

I am part owner of a small sheet metal bus. and we use a plasma for light gauge metal 20-24ga with pattern cuts and it is great, but for 3/16 I use a buddy's hydraulic sheer and it is hands down the only way to go!!! If you try to use a stomp sheer on 3/16" you will probably only do it once. I tried cutting 14ga on my stomp sheer and welllll it did it but no fun and that is nothing compared to 3/16

Get a Hydraulic sheer, search EBAY and google

http://www.southern-tool.com/store/page989.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/8-FOOT-BETENBEN...ryZ92083QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Edwards-6-5-300...ryZ92083QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

http://business.search.ebay.com/she...pment_W0QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQlopgZ2QQsacatZ92083

 

[woodsrat]

Damon

What are you building now? Call bakers down on 60 or goodmans on linden both of them will shear the stuff for you.

Chuck

 

[dberry]

What are you building now? Call bakers down on 60 or goodmans on linden both of them will shear the stuff for you.

Bumpers, hopefully a few .

 

[mberry]

Since we share the same last name, can you send me a couple of those bumpers "cousin"? Just kidding.