Metal shears and nibblers for cutting sheet steel, aluminium, roofing and ducting cleanly without the sparks, heat and ragged edge of a cut-off disc. Power Tool Services stocks Makita corded shears and nibblers, Bosch Professional cordless shears and a corded nibbler, and Metabo's brushless 18V shears and nibblers. Roofers, HVAC installers, panel beaters and fabricators use these daily.
Choosing metal shears or a nibbler
- Capacity: the number in the model is the mild steel capacity. Makita JS1601, JS1602 and JN1601, Bosch GSC 18V-16 and GNA 75-16, Metabo SCV 18 LTX BL 1.6 and NIV 18 LTX BL 1.6, and the Makita DJN161 all cut 1.6mm mild steel. Makita JS3201J and JN3201J step up to 3.2mm.
- Shear or nibbler: shears cut like scissors, fast and straight, and leave a continuous offcut. Nibblers punch out a narrow strip of small chips, so they turn tight curves, start a cut in the middle of a panel and follow corrugated and IBR roofing profiles without distortion.
- Corded or cordless: Makita corded machines are the workshop choice; Bosch and Metabo 18V and the Makita DJN161 free you from a lead on a roof.
- Light duty: the Bosch GUS 12V-300 universal shear handles thin sheet, mesh, cardboard, carpet and vinyl in a one-handed tool.
Electric shears vs angle grinder on sheet metal
A cutting disc burns the galvanising or coating at the edge and throws hot swarf; shears and nibblers leave the coating intact, which matters on roofing and powder-coated panels. Nibbler chips are sharp, so sweep them up before they end up in a tyre. See Metabo for the full cordless range, Makita cordless for 18V alternatives, or corded power tools.
In stock in Cape Town with nationwide courier delivery, free on orders over R2000. Call 021 674 2119 for advice on capacity and profile.
