I'm ready to buy one or the other now but not sure which would be the best to have. I don't see working with anything larger than 16 gage, I want to be able to make some tight turns and want the most distortion free cut. So which one do I want, a nibbler or the shearer? Bob
A nibbler will make the tightest curves, however, it's not real easy to control, and as previously mentioned, it spits out little niblets. Personally, I would stay with a good quality power hand shear. Stu
Havent had experience with these but i think they are the best of both. You can cut tight radiuses (sp?) like a nibbler and straight lines like a shear. Like everyone mentioned before, nibblers leave one hell of a mess. Ive used both shears and nibblers but i prefer the shears b/c they dont distort the edge and leave it noce and smooth. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...?storeId=6970&productId=200305423&R=200305423 -John
How tight do you need to turn? If the answer is "very tight", then you need a nibbler. They're also great for cutting up close to inside reinforcements, where a shear (or "scissors") would hit. Might be hard to find one that will hold up to 14 guage, though. Scissors will only turn one direction; shears (with the cutter in the middle) will not turn very much without distorting the metal. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver" Why do they call it reckless driving if it causes wrecks?
I haven't used the power shears, but my vote is fer the nibbler. So what if it's messy...'bout everything we do is messy. It does take some getting used to, but you can learn to control it just like any other tool. Olson
Wait till you track those dam little pieces of metal through the house, your wife will tell you what you prefer!!!!!!!
I've used both and I bought the one in the photo. It's WAY better in my opinion. Of course, that's for curved cuts, radii, etc. Very difficult to cut perfectly straight with either this type or a nibbler. For straight cuts I use my pal's Pexto 4 ft. treadle shear.
for making stuff out of the car i would say beverly shear, for cutting panels in the car a nibbler would do. like said above the nibbler is hard to control and make a mess. i bought a blue point air nibbler (new snap on dealer cost $350 +) off of evilbay for $80, at that time all the rest went to 18 gauge and blue point was 16 gauge.
used both...sold tons of both in the past..if I had to pick one over the other I would go whith the shears. pexto make a great tool as does kett and matabo. just addin my two cents worth
I've been using the same Makita electric shear for 20 years on 18 ga and sometimes 16ga. It's never let me down. If you're cutting long strips it twirls them like a ribbon. But it came be worked flat again. Nibblers are hard to make a straight cut with... and the little nibbles really hurt when you kneel on them. For cutting out rust on a car, I use zip cut discs with either a 4.5 inch grinder or a die grinder.
I've used both and the shears make really nice cuts but the ones I used were probably about worn out and you had to push your butt off to cut. I was in a pawn shop the other day and found a milwaukee 10 guage nibbler for 40 dollars. Boy it cuts great but it does leave the little bits in the floor, big deal sweep them up. It cuts effortlessly and I love it. Watch the pawn shops you can get some pretty good deals there. Good luck Stafford
Thanks to all that replied. Told me some stuff I didn't think about. Gave me some new ideas - can make metalic confetti with the nibbler for one example. Looks like nibbler would be most versitile of the two. I would guess for long straight cuts could clamp on a straight edge to guide it. Bob
Has anyone used the Makita js1601? Thoughts https://www.blackrocktools.com/makita-16-gauge-straight-shear-js1601.html
I have a Krupp brand nibbler, it has a rotatable head that will let you cut close up to an edge and rotate the head to proceed at a right angle or more. Way to much cost for the little I use it The little drop outs are a pain to try to contain as well and will happily bury up in any shoe sole for prompt distribution at the most inappropriate places.
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