Metal scissors: features, varieties and tips for choosing

Cutting sheet metal is not an easy job. However, if you have the right tools, the whole process is safe and accurate.

To select scissors for metal, you need to know some of their technical characteristics and features.

• Manual shears for cutting metal are mainly used for processing steel sheets (up to 1 mm thick) and aluminum (up to 2.5 mm).
• The cutting parts of the knives are sharpened at an angle of 60-75 °.
• To facilitate cutting metal sheets, it must be borne in mind that it is better to choose a product with a hard blade. Currently, the strongest material for the production of scissors is HSS steel. Models equipped with such a strong blade are relatively expensive. Therefore, many people tend to buy alloy steel blade shears. While there is no visual difference between these types of steel, HSS is the strongest and most durable.
• Each scissor blade is additionally coated with a special substance - usually titanium nitride. It is best to choose such models. This gives the cutting element an exceptional hardness, which makes it possible to cut even very thick sheets.
• The edge of the scissors blade can be smooth or serrated. In the first case, the cutting line is straight, but the sheet itself can often slip out. The teeth on the blades prevent it from falling out, but the cutting line will not always be smooth. Here the choice depends on your preference.
• Scissor jaws are usually profiled in two ways. If the cut piece of metal is bent and does not interfere with cutting further, then this is one type of profile. But there are models where, when cutting, the cut piece of metal is blocked on one of the jaws.
• Electric shears are used to cut corrugated and other complex types of sheet metal. This is mainly done to facilitate complex construction work.

All metal scissors are divided into two large groups, and in each of them, more highly specialized varieties can be distinguished.

• Universal. Used to perform any task, but with limited accuracy. They work best when cutting sheet metal straight. Forming scissors are designed for cutting more complex shapes. For example, for rounding the edges of cut elements with a sufficiently high accuracy. The disadvantage of these models may be that they are difficult to make long cuts. However, they are enough for basic sheet metal work.
• Single-lever and double-lever... The design of the first type is simple, because it resembles the design of office scissors, although, of course, everything is stronger and more reliable here. In models with two arms, both parts are mounted on a special hinge, which increases the pressure exerted by the blades on the workpiece. These models are used for cutting rigid sheets. However, they are often used for working with soft materials.

They are so called because of the articulated jaw used for cutting metal. These shears are driven by a hydraulic cylinder. They are mainly used to cut long metal workpieces such as beams, angles, pipes or rebar.

The main advantages of alligator scissors are cost effectiveness, strength and durability. Disadvantages - inaccuracy of cutting and rough finish.

The sophisticated mechanism makes the table scissors ideal for cutting rough shapes from medium-sized sheet metal. They can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, they can be angled cuts at an angle of 90 degrees and T-shapes, and can also be used to cut round and square bars. The main advantages of this type of mechanism are its efficiency and ability to produce a clean cut free of burrs.

The tool can be mechanical, hydraulic or foot. It works as follows: the metal is clamped with a plunger, and then one of the blades is moved down the stationary blade, thereby making a cut. The moving blade can be straight or angled to reduce the force required to cut a larger piece of metal.

The main advantages of the guillotine are speed of work and economic efficiency. This tool is ideal for large batch production.

However, the biggest disadvantage of this type of scissors is the creation of rough edges.

Ideal for manual and electric or pneumatic cordless shears. The upper blade of this machine moves to the lower fixed blade and makes a cut in the material being processed.

These scissors are commonly used to cut straight lines or large radius curves. The main advantages of power scissors are their efficiency, precision, durability and quality finish.

Manual shears used to cut sheet metal come in two different types: for metal and composite.

Tin models have long handles and short blades and are typically used for cutting low carbon tin or mild steel.

Straight pattern tin tools are ideal for cutting straight or gentle bends. Platypus-shaped tin scissors are suitable for cutting material at a sharper angle. There are also tin scissors for making circular patterns.

A sophisticated knife is used to cut aluminum, mild or stainless steel. It has levers that increase mechanical forces. Scissors perform different tasks: straight cuts, left-handed cuts (which cuts straight and curved to the left), and right-handed cuts (cuts straight and curved to the right).

Punching or notching shears make straight and curved cuts in sheet and corrugated metal.

The advantages of this type are reliability and durability, as well as the ability to make cuts without distortion at a fairly high speed.

This is the simplest and most convenient type of metal scissors. They fit into a small tool bag or vest pocket. With their help, you can make continuous cutting and forming of both large and small sheets. It is possible to process the corners and the center of the sheet. They are also used for cutting small cables.

If you need to cut thicker material, you should look for serrated scissors. Both knives are mounted on a special tripod. During operation, the joint acts as a lever, making the job much easier while maintaining precision and cutting efficiency.

HSS steel shears are used by professionals who work with extremely hard materials.

This type of tool finds its place on construction sites. The special design of the scissors allows you to work even with one hand.

There are scissors with special curved blades. They are convenient for cutting the edge of a metal sheet. This group of tools also includes specialized tools for cutting wire.

Slotted tools cut plates of profiles and other products up to 4 mm thick. They are highly accurate and durable.

Roller shears are two super-hard rollers that act as knives. The distance between them is less than the thickness of the cut sheet, so the latter is squeezed and separated. This tool is often self-made.

All metal scissors, regardless of whether they are traditional, lever or universal, have a right or left execution.

In fact, left-handed scissors are not meant for left-handers, and right-handed scissors are not meant for right-handers. Their main difference is that the left ones are designed for curved cutting from right to left, while the right model can be used to cut a curved seam from left to right. Of course, straight lines can also be cut with both types.

The choice of the wrist that will work when cutting is also important. In many cases, a more ergonomic and convenient solution will be to choose the left scissors, because the wrist will then be on the inside. This can help to avoid quick hand fatigue and increase comfort while working.

Electric shears for cutting corrugated sheets, which can be useful in professional construction work. The device has a power of 400W and the maximum cutting thickness of carbon steel is 1.6mm. It means that the device can handle rather thick material, which expands the range of its capabilities.

This tool allows you to cut in three directions. It is characterized by an ergonomic shape of the body, thanks to which the scissors can be operated with only one hand. In this case the cutting line is perfectly visiblebecause the sheet metal filings are thrown down. This also eliminates the risk of eye contact.

Makita JN1601 is the ideal tool for cutting regular and corrugated metal sheets. With this tool You can quickly check the material thickness thanks to the measuring grooves.

The model has a power of 550 W and a compact size. The ergonomic shape of the device was made possible by the use of a modern motor, which affects the efficiency of the device. When working, the hands do not get tired too quickly, which makes it comfortable to use.

A simple model made of chrome-molybdenum steel. This material is extremely strong and durable, which can positively affect the service life of the presented scissors. For added comfort, the spring has been reinforced and chrome-plated mounts have been added. The handle of the product is ergonomic, so the hand holding it does not get very tired.

The scissors are equipped with a hardened serrated blade. This prevents them from sliding off the metal, so the sheet can be cut much faster and easier. The product is also ideal for cutting plastic, aluminum, copper and other materials. In addition, the product looks very aesthetically pleasing.

Shears Irwin 10504313N are used for cutting sheet metal with a maximum thickness of 1.52 mm. With them, you can also successfully cut stainless steel with a maximum thickness of 1.19mm. The product has a serrated bottom blade that allows for a smooth and precise cut.

The model has profiled soft handles. The manufacturer also took care of increasing the cutting length, which translates into a better distribution of the power used.

The advantage is that this equipment can only be operated with one hand. And this increases the level of safety (there is no risk of accidental injury to the other hand).

The 750 W electric model is equipped with a very efficient motor.The device allows you to achieve maximum working speed with little effort.

The model weighs only 1.8 kg, so it is not that difficult to hold it in your hand. When working, the cutting line is clearly visible, which ensures high accuracy of work. The four-sided knife of this tool can be easily replaced, which keeps the equipment productive for a long time.

One of the main advantages of these scissors is their ease of use.

Scissors for cutting metal (250 mm, straight). Made from quality material. Serrated blades provide precise and even cuts. The anatomically shaped two-piece finger grip prevents the hand from slipping. This reduces the load during long-term operation.

Precision, efficiency, safety and ease of use are the most important qualities when choosing tools for cutting sheet metal.

Professional workers sometimes use battery powered scissors. However, the price of such models is quite high. In addition, if the volume of work is not too large, then it makes no sense to use this type of scissors.

When choosing, they are more often guided by the parameters of the materials being processed and, based on this, they make a choice between single and double-lever scissors.

• Single-lever scissors are more difficult to use and require more experience. But they increase the tactile sensations when working with the material, therefore, with sufficient experience, they allow you to make a more accurate cut.
• Scissors with two levers cut material easier. However, it is recommended to use them primarily where accuracy is not important. Paradoxically, people who have a lot of solid metal material for hand cutting are more likely to choose more complex tools. But at the same time, they are better at processing metal with single-lever scissors.

When looking for hand scissors, you need to pay attention to the handle, which will provide a safe and comfortable grip of the tool.

If you need scissors with increased strength and durability, you must also pay great attention to the blades.

It is necessary to check the technical parameters of specific models, as well as the characteristics of the processed material.

• Blade hardness... HSS carbide blades have a hardness of 65 HRC. It is currently the hardest material used in the production of steel shears. At the same time, the lion's share of products is made with softer blades from special (61 HRC), alloy (59 HRC) or tool steel (56 HRC). At first glance, the differences between them are imperceptible, but after about a dozen cuts you can clearly feel them (even if all the tools are made according to GOST).
• Increasing the hardness of the coating. In addition to the induction hardening process, the hardness of the blades is affected by coating them with various substances. Today, professional titanium nitride (TiN) coated steel shears are very popular. They cut strong and hard metal sheets well and are used where standard solutions are not applicable.
• Edge. There are two options to choose from in this question, the edge is either smooth or jagged. In the first case, the cutting line is straight, but the operation itself is rather complicated and more time-consuming. In the second case, the cut plates will not interfere with the progress of the work, but the edge will be uneven.
• Scissors lips. They can be profiled in such a way that the cut piece bends and does not interfere with the further process, or so that the separated part is blocked on one of the jaws (in blind scissors). In theory, the first option is more convenient, but sometimes folding will damage the part, so it is undesirable.
• Brand. Although Stanley or Makita scissors are more often chosen than others, they do not differ in quality from most other products.

Over time, scissors deteriorate, and the main problem becomes their blunting.

Sharpening on a grindstone.

• If you want to sharpen your scissors, it is best to take them apart and use both sides as separate "knives." Then sharpening the entire edge will be much easier. In addition, you will ensure that you do not cut yourself with another blade when sharpening.
• The correct whetstone must be selected. If you only need to sharpen the tool a little, you can use a thin stone (1000 grit or better). If the scissors are dull enough, you must first repair the edge with a coarser sharpening stone. Think about grit sizes from 100 to 400. Considering that almost all scissors are made of stainless steel, you can use any type of abrasive.
• For a quick result, you can choose a diamond stone. Its advantage is that it will last a long time. However, if you want more accurate results, you can use ceramics or aluminum oxide.
• Next, you need to sharpen the inside of the first blade. Frequent use of scissors, during which both blades move against each other, can eventually lead to wear. This is what needs to be restored first. In addition, this way you also remove any potential rust.
• After adding water to the whetstone, place the scissor blade on its surface. The blade is moved from the point where it crosses the handle to the tip. Use the full length of the stone and do not apply too much pressure. Repeat this until all rust has been removed. You can also use a marker to mark the entire blade. And once you remove all markings, the blade is completely ready.
• Next - the edges. The advantage of sharpening scissors over a knife is that the blade is relatively wide and highly visible. As a result, the correct sharpening angle has already been selected. You place the blade on the sharpening stone at an angle to ensure that the entire edge of the blade is in contact with the stone. Now you need to make the same movement from the center to the tip, using the entire sharpening surface.
• Repeat the process with the other half of the scissors. Fold both pieces together and make a couple of cutting strokes.

In order to save money, professionals sometimes make their own scissors. The main thing is that they are made of ultra-strong alloy and according to the corresponding drawings. For example, bearings are used to produce roller shears.

For more information on metal scissors, see the next video.