Shears aren’t exactly flashy or fancy – but they are incredibly useful. There’s no better way to cut sheet metal. Shears, using pressures of 80,000+ PSI and durable, high-strength guillotine blades, can cut almost any sheet metal material to size in just seconds.
But when do you need to add a shear to your machine shop? After all, a water jet cutter, laser cutter, or even a plasma cutter offers a reasonable way to cut sheet metal to size – so why invest in a shear?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 signs you may be ready to add a shear to your machine shop. Let’s get started.
- You Want To Stop Working With Ready-Made Materials
If you already offer metal bending and finishing services, you may be working with pre-cut sheet metal, or metal that is supplied to you directly from your customer. This is all well and good, but working with ready-made, pre-cut materials can affect the different services that you offer.
If you invest in a shear, you can start cutting your own sheet metal from larger rolls, or cut down pre-supplied sheet metal to a smaller size. This can reduce your cost overhead, and allow you to offer diverse services to your clients.
- You Need To Expand Your Client Base
With a shear, you’ll be able to cut high-strength steel and other sheet metal in seconds – allowing you to offer your services to more clients.
If you decide to invest in both a shear and a CNC folder, for example, you can start supplying industries such as HVAC and roofing companies. You’ll be able to quickly process thin sheet metal, and create custom products.
You should take your future and current clients into consideration when thinking about buying a shear. How can your current clients benefit from this addition – and how can you pursue future clients once you make your investment?
- You’re Willing To Invest In Regular Maintenance
Shearing machines usually require more maintenance than smaller-scale cutting machines like laser cutters. Shear blades must be sharpened regularly to ensure high quality of cuts – and the proper equipment must be used to sharpen them.
If you have the budget for regular, periodic maintenance of a shear, investing in one may be wise. If you can’t afford this, a shear may not be for you – a poorly-maintained shear results in poor-quality cuts, and could even become permanently damaged.
- You Can Finish Cut Materials Properly
Shears are much faster than other cutters for most sheet metal projects, but they are not without their disadvantages. Shears may often leave roughened edges on sheet metal, which may be an issue if you have used laser cutters or other cutting devices in the past.
You’ll need the proper equipment and technicians to finish sheet metal that’s been cut by a shear. A grinder or other finishing tool will usually be required, though some thinner metals do not require finishing.
- You’re Anticipating High-Volume Sheet Metal Projects
Shears are only worth the investment if you know that you’ll need to cut a large volume of sheet metal in a short period of time. If you run a smaller, boutique metal shop that focuses on difficult custom orders, you may be better off sticking with a laser or plasma cutter that can handle smaller materials.
However, if you are rapidly expanding, or have just taken on a large project, there is no replacing a metal shear. Shears can cut enormous slabs and sheets of metal in seconds – they are orders of magnitude faster than other cutters for high-volume sheet metal projects.
See If A Shearing Machine Is Right For You!
If you recognize one or more of these signs, a shearing machine may be right for your machine shop! Just take your time when selecting your shear, ensure that your investment will pay off, and use it to expand your client base – and you’re sure to find success.
