Shears vs Nibblers, When and Where to Use Them

Shears Vs Nibblers!! Because I was asked so many questions over on my Instagram, I decided to make a little bit of a longer form video that I can reference for people. I am showing the best use of the Milwaukee double cut shear as well as the Makita Nibbler. This might not be useful to you, but you never know. Share with someone who does metal work and maybe they will be able to decide when and where to use shears vs nibblers.

You can of course cut metal a million ways with many different tools. This is how we have found the best way to do it so far. Please feel free to share your tips and tricks in the comments and I will check them out.

Also, you aren't following me over on Instagram? Check it out @rrbuildings.

Hitachi nibbler

Makita Cordless Nibbler

Milwaukee Double Cut Shear

Midwest Snips

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Check out the latest episode of the If You Build it Podcast with @Mikeythemaker and myself!!

[tq]

Had the pleasure of meeting Kyle yesterday, big honor for me, Just a super guy who took time out of his busy day to chat for a few minutes. Made my day. Thanks Kyle

[generalgreen]

As a metal roof plumber, I find the single sided Milwaukee shears are the fastest way to cut sheets. Keep your waste side of material on the right hand side of your cut so no oil pan issue 👍🏼

[escapefromny]

Thanks for explaining in detail the difference between double cut and single cut. Most others just say it's "cleaner" and/or quicker, but do not say in what way.

[markmcquillan]

I really like your videos. I got my contractors license last year to officially be able to build horse barns. Great info on everything. Thank you

[SRSSCarpentry]

In regards to the “safety police” comment you made, I want to tell you what one of my carpentry students told me the other day. He didn’t have his safeties on, but he told me he had his safety contacts in. Had a good chuckle and he put glasses on.

[Canbechangedtwiceeveryfourteen]

I absolutely love those snips. They were a leave-behind from a scab laborer, I’ve had them for 5+ years use them every day never needed sharpened

[Dragonsbrath]

Great explanation of the various cutters. I purchased a double cut shears and was very frustrated going over the high spots.the nibbler was impressive even if it does produce some waste. Thanks for the video, it was very helpful.

[danielkent]

Thank you for explaining this. I'm doing sheet metal work restoring an old car and this helped me pick the right tool

[seanpeine]

Thank you for demonstrating all the different clippers.

[dragonfalcon]

4 years later this video really helped me, thank you sir.

[TomofAllTrades]

Thanks for helping an amateur like me get reasonable results on my silo house build. 👍🏼

[stevesullivan]

I use a Milwaukee grinder with a cutoff disc. Clean cuts, fast, cuts angles clean. Faster than any shear.

[EnriqueReyesJrREALTOR]

Thanks for taking the time to show, the different cutters used on the same application. I'm going to go buy a nibbeler right now to cut some roofing panels, like the ones you just showed. Thank you!

[TheJimmybud]

Years ago B&D made a rotary shear that worked awesome went over the ribs as fast as the flats on pole barn metal, built over 80 buildings and used the hell out of them !

[danhodges]

Prepping to diy re-roof a 3k sq ft shed roof barn. This is helpful. Thank you!

[tedtolentino]

Thanks, this was very helpful in showcasing the difference between a nibbler and a shear.

[duncanvlaar]

To recap: nibbler for "crosscuts" and the double shear are for the "ripcuts"

[iron_bison]

Great video!! It's so strange watching you're work vs. Where I live (oregon) posts set in ground vs. yours on brackets. Almost every, not all, builders I work with are still using saws and reverse finish blades and/or grinding wheels for steel. But you've convinced me on nibblers and shears. Thanks.

[fjnaglend]

Used very similar tools working in a body shop years ago. The main difference was the tools I used were pneumatic tools vs corded or cordless. Both tools (Shears and nibblers) had issues. I would hope after all these years some of the issues these tools suffered from have been resolved. The issues the airtools suffered from were of course water in the air lines and issues that had to do with the thickness of the metal. We didn't always have the correct gauge of steel for what we were trying to do. Any way great stuff. Thumbs up as usual.

[tracyboyd]

Very helpful...I just bought a nibbler you just told me best Wat to use it...