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Do air nibblers work well? #190733 01/11/09 07:15 PM 01/11/09 07:15 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo OP Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo OP Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	To cut sheet metal I've been using either an angle grinder and mostly my die grinder with a cut off wheel. It works but is there something better for cutting curves? I've seen tools for cutting sheet metal called air nibblers but never used one or even seen one outside of a store. Do they work well? Or is there something else I should look at? Yes I would love a plasma cutter, but that's just not gonna happen. $$$

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #190734 01/11/09 07:18 PM 01/11/09 07:18 PM
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 21,845 Kirkland, Washington Pacnorthcuda Too Many Posts
Pacnorthcuda Too Many Posts Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 21,845 Kirkland, Washington	I bought a cheap Harbor freight one for $30. Works great. Bites off little 'crescent moon' bits. Does NOT warp either side of the panel, its fast, no heat. They are the way.

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: Pacnorthcuda] #190735 01/11/09 07:20 PM 01/11/09 07:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo OP Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo OP Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	How smooth does it cut? Do you have to cut a little big so you can go back over it after and smoot out your curve?

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #190736 01/11/09 07:23 PM 01/11/09 07:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada R RUNCHARGER I Live Here
RUNCHARGER I Live Here R Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada	I have one and it works great except it really wears out the punch and die in a hurry. No need to smooth out after using them they do a very clean job. Sheldon

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #190737 01/11/09 07:24 PM 01/11/09 07:24 PM
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 21,845 Kirkland, Washington Pacnorthcuda Too Many Posts
Pacnorthcuda Too Many Posts Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 21,845 Kirkland, Washington	It cuts VERY smooth as in no burring, but you will get a little sawtooth pattern from the bites. If its a finished edge your looking for then yes, you would need to dress it with a file. And the slower you go the smaller the bites and the smoother the line

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: Pacnorthcuda] #190738 01/11/09 08:02 PM 01/11/09 08:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,213 Park Forest, IL slantzilla Too Many Posts
slantzilla Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,213 Park Forest, IL	I have a Blue Point one that I've had for years. Never worn out a punch yet. An air shear will make a smoother edge. "Everybody funny, now you funny too."

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: slantzilla] #190739 01/11/09 11:07 PM 01/11/09 11:07 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo OP Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo OP Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	Thanks for the info. I've been thinking about an air shear for a while as well. Will probably end up buying both.

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #190740 01/11/09 11:17 PM 01/11/09 11:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,144 Arkansas 340727dart master
340727dart master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,144 Arkansas	I used a nibbler to cut the roof skin off my Dart. It was fast and did a smooth job. But, it throws those little crescent shaped scraps everywhere. Mine does curves but I need to keep the tool oriented properly or it won't cut. Your life is not my fault. My life is none of your business. Speech is free only if you agree with those in control.

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #190741 01/11/09 11:20 PM 01/11/09 11:20 PM
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,344 Cincinnati, OH 6 6T6Cuda top fuel
6T6Cuda top fuel 6 Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,344 Cincinnati, OH	I have an HF one, it works well, but I do not use it much as the little 1/2 moon things get everwhere.. stick to your feet and get tracked in the house and step on them when you are bare foot. They have their place, but I use the electric shear when I can (it will not cut as sharp of a curve, but it is nice). I use the hell out of the cut off wheel, most of the time I cut something I use the 4.5" cut off wheel on a small angle grinder.

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: 6T6Cuda] #190742 01/13/09 02:16 AM 01/13/09 02:16 AM
Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,319 Chicago Burbs sthemi master
sthemi master Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,319 Chicago Burbs	I have one for about 10 years, I try to use it over the scrap/ garbage can when trimming to keep the slugs from being everywhere, they are a Pain. I havent worn out a bit yet, it works great. Video Little Red Wagon Indy Nats,BurnoutContest

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #190743 01/13/09 06:38 PM 01/13/09 06:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 6,516 Santa Cruz, California L Lefty master
Lefty master L Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 6,516 Santa Cruz, California	Quote: To cut sheet metal I've been using either an angle grinder and mostly my die grinder with a cut off wheel. It works but is there something better for cutting curves? I've seen tools for cutting sheet metal called air nibblers but never used one or even seen one outside of a store. Do they work well? Or is there something else I should look at? Yes I would love a plasma cutter, but that's just not gonna happen. $$$ Body saws work good for cutting curves in sheet metal and the replacement blades are cheap. If you plan to use it often I would pass on the $20 dirt cheap ones on eBay and get a "name" brand. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=body+saw&btnG=Google+Search

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: Lefty] #190744 01/13/09 06:45 PM 01/13/09 06:45 PM
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,572 Jacksonville Florida elitecustombody pro stock
elitecustombody pro stock Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,572 Jacksonville Florida	Quote: Quote: To cut sheet metal I've been using either an angle grinder and mostly my die grinder with a cut off wheel. It works but is there something better for cutting curves? I've seen tools for cutting sheet metal called air nibblers but never used one or even seen one outside of a store. Do they work well? Or is there something else I should look at? Yes I would love a plasma cutter, but that's just not gonna happen. $$$ Body saws work good for cutting curves in sheet metal and the replacement blades are cheap. If you plan to use it often I would pass on the $20 dirt cheap ones on eBay and get a "name" brand. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=body+saw&btnG=Google+Search and don't buy Blue Point junk from Snap-On either, more noise than cutting

Re: Do air nibblers work well? [Re: elitecustombody] #190745 01/13/09 07:30 PM 01/13/09 07:30 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,911 Ontario, Canada S Stanton Don't question me!
Stanton Don't question me! S Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,911 Ontario, Canada	Princess Auto baby !!!!!!!! The nibbler works well as long as the gauge is not too heavy, you have constant and sufficient air pressure, you hold the tool firmly against the surface and you feed at the proper speed. It will cut any shape but only as good as your aim. If you've got the shakes then don't expect a nice straight line! Shears work better on long straight cuts and sweeping curves. If I have a choice of which to use I usually pick up the shear (a lot less mess too!)

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