Woodward Fab throatless shear?

Has anyone used the Woodward Fab throatless shear (#SPHS8, http://www.woodwardfab.com/sheet_metal_shearing_tools.htm)? I am in the market for a throatless shear. I need to cut .050 aluminum, sheet steel to 16 gauge, and would like to be able to cut 1/8" steel to make tabs and parts. While I'd love a Beverly shear, I'm a hobbyist and can't justify the price for a B-2. I'm not wild about the HF model, but am interested in the Woodward Fab. I know it's made overseas, but Woodward claims it's made to their specs.
Thanks for any thoughts,
Ian

 

i have there shear......i think the very max cut is 1/8,,,,give them a call and see......usually easy to talk to.......anyway i like mine......im no expert but i did stay at a motel six...........

 

I have a hf thoatless shear and it works great. I've cut eveything mentioned above with it, except the 1/8" bar steel. I have a regular shear that I cut that with. It has a thoat & when you chunk off a piece, it kinda rolls the beginning of the cut down as the shear blade is pressed down. Not a big deal, but I do have to use like a 5lb small sledge to straighten them up a bit.

The throatless shear is awesome for doing curved / straight cuts, but I wouldn't use it on bar steel. I'd use something else, and keep the throatless in good shape for other materials.

Carl Hagan

 

i have no knowledge of the Woodward shear , but i do have a Beverly B-2 and love it. i see them on craigslist sometimes for low $$$.....a friend recently bought an almost new B-3 for $50

my understanding of the Harbor Freight shear is that Beverly blades will fit on it

 

I have the Woodward Rotary version and love it. Awesome tool. Can't say enough about it. #WFMS

 

your link didnt work, but if you talking about this one, ive got one and it works fine.

doesnt cut curves like a beverly, but for straight cuts its good.

 

If you're not in a hurry I'd look for a used Beverly. I see them on ebay for decent prices on a regular basis.

 

I have the Grizzly Tools version of this and it works real good for straight cuts and outside curves. (For outside curves, you hafta "rough-in" the curve with a bunch of straight cuts close to the line, then come back and clean it up.) Mine cuts 16 gauge steel like ****er... I think it would cut 1/8", but I would be afraid it would mess up the blades.

 

the shear that bobx posted is not the one i thought you were asking about...forget about what i said about using Beverly blades

but do have a shear just like the posted one that i bought from Enco about 15 years ago...i use the **** out of it and it's held up fine. i'm sure they are all made in china. 1/8" in narrow widths is not a problem , it also has a hole in the blade to cut round steel maybe up to 1/4

 

i have one. i like it for straight cuts. i use it for 16g all day and no problems. i dont think it woudl cut 1/8" though. i have cut some 11g alumium.

 

Sounds like to do curves I might need an actual Beverly. Only problem is the prices I see on eBay aren't that decent, but I'll keep looking.
Thanks all!

 

The rotary one i mentioned does really tight and complex curves no problem.

 

i have a beverly shear, the plate shear and find my self using the band saw more then any of the others plus i can cut really thick stuff.

 

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</TD><TD vAlign=top rowSpan=2 width="70%"><TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border=0 borderColor=#111111 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top><TD width="30%">Product Code </TD><TD width="70%" colSpan=2>Y835 </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=top width="30%">Description</TD><TD vAlign=top width="70%" colSpan=2>Make Cuts Easily With This Long Handled Shear </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD height=15 width="30%"></TD><TD height=15 width="70%" colSpan=2></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="30%">Price ex vat</TD><TD width="35%">£102.6086 </TD><TD vAlign=bottom rowSpan=2 width="35%"></B> </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width="30%">Price inc vat </TD><TD width="35%">£118.00 </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD height=20 width="100%" colSpan=3>

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Could this be the one your talking about? From Frost in the uk, I believe that Eastwood sell a similar model, I,ve always fancied one but have been put off by the cost. I'd like to hear from sombody who uses one of these.

 

on a HF beverly style, yes... the beverly knives will work

 

I have the woodward shear, it works good it can shear 1/8 unless your weight is about 110 lbs, in that case get your chunky buddy to do it for you

 

How is the Woodward for cutting radii in sheet metal?

 

outside curves can be done if you take off a little at a time and turn the piece. you have to make a bunch of small straight cuts to get the curve.

inside curves - no good way to do it with this that ive found.

 

Hey Ian,
I tried the link but it is not working. I don’t think this is the correct url either. I googled online and found the right link for the woodward fab throatless shear.
I have been able to cut 1/8” steel with the shear. I have found the movement to be smooth as long as you keep a certain rhythm when cutting. Doing it slowly may botch things up. I’ve even been able to make thin oval shaped plates using the shear. Since you’re a hobbyist, I m guessing you may use round bar as well. This machine can cut that too. So far my experience with it has been good. Strong structure, good quality cutting, and easy to use. Would suggest that you give the shear a try.

 

I have that one and use it for 14 ga fine but inside curves are tough

 

go with a rotary one. hands down they just work better.
here is the from Ron Fournier.
http://www.fournierenterprises.com/m3/SPMS--sykes-pickavant-metal-shears-spms.html
http://www.fournierenterprises.com/m3/SPMS--sykes-pickavant-metal-shears-spms.html