You’re probably familiar enough with sheet metal shears. If not, getting to know them won’t take too much of your time, because we’ll gamble on a certainty that you do know what scissors are. Sheet metal shears, which are also known as tin snips or aviation snips, have two blades that come together and are leveraged via the force of arms, sometimes compounded, in order to make both straight and curved cuts through sheet metal. They’re probably the most widely recognized sheet metal cutter, and recognizable, as we explained, even with no experience in cutting and working sheet metal.

The question then, is, have you heard of nibblers? Nibblers are their own class of sheet metal cutters that have some unique and very distinct advantages over shears. Yes, shears can be used to make fairly precise, fairly quick cuts along sheet metal, but they come at a price. When not used properly, when rushed or forced, and sometimes through no fault of the user at all, shears create ragged, wavy, even uneven edges along the sheet metal medium.

That clears the way for nibblers, a sheet metal cutter that is not making waves, literally. Nibblers are a special class of metal cutters that are specifically designed to produce long cuts that do not damage the edge of sheet metal. In other words, nibblers are designed to produce an edge that is not deformed, is not torn and is not wavy. Shears can sometimes do the same, but if the material is moody or temperamental, and you need a nice, clean edge, a nibbler may be the answer.

Whereas shears work effectively by cutting through the metal, it is the same principle of leverage and force that sometimes causes the edge of sheet metal to deform. Nibblers, by contrast, remove a thin strip of metal from the sheet. Because most nibblers do not operate according to the same mechanical principles as shears, they produce the clean, even edge aforementioned.

Most nibblers will produce a fine swarf of metal chips after they have cut through the sheet metal, and although they produce an undistorted edge, some nibblers may produce a ragged edge that needs to be smoothed or finished, depending on the needs of the project. Nibblers are also preferred by some to shears simply because they are better at navigating tight turns and recesses. Shears struggle to cut sharp corners (most of the time) and even the best shears can only cut straight lines or straight and to the right or left, but not both.

If you’re looking to learn more about nibblers or you just want to see some nibblers for sale so you can learn more about their relative virtues, visit John Stortz & Son at Stortz.com. There, whether you’re more interested in shears, nibblers or some other type of sheet metal cutting tools or forming device, you’ll be able to find it.

You can also consult their customer service team with additional questions regarding controlled cutting, cutting capacity, or about hand tools for small jobs. Give them a call at 888-847-3456 to learn more today.