I want to cut some sheet steel. I expect I might have to make several
feet of cuts at a time, and I might need to make ten feet of cuts in a
few months. I expect the material will be 304 stainless or similar, say
around 22 ga. (0.031 inches) give or take 20%.

Would it likely be unpleasant to use a muscle-powered nibbler? Should I
just plan on a pneumatic nibbler? Would I likely see much difference
in the finished product? I'm not set up for air tools right now, but I
could probably rent something ...

Please advise.

wrote in message
...
On Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:29:04 -0500, Matt
wrote:

I want to cut some sheet steel. I expect I might have to make several
feet of cuts at a time, and I might need to make ten feet of cuts in a
few months. I expect the material will be 304 stainless or similar, say
around 22 ga. (0.031 inches) give or take 20%.

Would it likely be unpleasant to use a muscle-powered nibbler? Should I
just plan on a pneumatic nibbler? Would I likely see much difference
in the finished product? I'm not set up for air tools right now, but I
could probably rent something ...

Please advise.

This "might" be okay for occasional use on 22 gauge stainless.
Probably worth $50 to find out.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92115

I don't think you are going to like trying to do what you propose with
a hand powered nibbler.

it might be just easier and cheaper to find someone with a shear that would
make a couple of cuts. perhaps where you're getting the metal in the first
place.

I got a nibbler from Harbor Freight, which has served me
well. Electric plug in. No compressor needed.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Matt" wrote in message
...
I want to cut some sheet steel. I expect I might have to
make several
feet of cuts at a time, and I might need to make ten feet of
cuts in a
few months. I expect the material will be 304 stainless or
similar, say
around 22 ga. (0.031 inches) give or take 20%.

Would it likely be unpleasant to use a muscle-powered
nibbler? Should I
just plan on a pneumatic nibbler? Would I likely see much
difference
in the finished product? I'm not set up for air tools right
now, but I
could probably rent something ...

Please advise.

On Jul 8, 1:29*pm, Matt wrote:
I want to cut some sheet steel. *I expect I might have to make several
feet of cuts at a time, and I might need to make ten feet of cuts in a
few months. *I expect the material will be 304 stainless or similar, say
around 22 ga. (0.031 inches) give or take 20%.

Would it likely be unpleasant to use a muscle-powered nibbler? *Should I
just plan on a pneumatic nibbler? * Would I likely see much difference
in the finished product? *I'm not set up for air tools right now, but I
could probably rent something ...

Ten feet of cuts in a few months is only a few inches per day. You
should be able to do that with either tool.

R

wrote:
On Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:29:04 -0500, Matt
wrote:

I want to cut some sheet steel. I expect I might have to make several
feet of cuts at a time, and I might need to make ten feet of cuts in a
few months. I expect the material will be 304 stainless or similar, say
around 22 ga. (0.031 inches) give or take 20%.

Would it likely be unpleasant to use a muscle-powered nibbler? Should I
just plan on a pneumatic nibbler? Would I likely see much difference
in the finished product? I'm not set up for air tools right now, but I
could probably rent something ...

Please advise.

If they are straight cuts you can do a fairly good job with a metal
cutoff wheel in a circular saw. Be sure the nibbler you use is rated
for stainless. I broke mine on some 22 ga (316 or so). It was "kitchen
grade" whatever that is. There are actually a lot more grades than 316
and 304 but they seem to be the main benchmarks, based on whether it
is mildly magnetic or not..


Thanks guys for all the replies ... will consider ...

On Jul 8, 1:29*pm, Matt wrote:
I want to cut some sheet steel. *I expect I might have to make several
feet of cuts at a time, and I might need to make ten feet of cuts in a
few months. *I expect the material will be 304 stainless or similar, say
around 22 ga. (0.031 inches) give or take 20%.

Would it likely be unpleasant to use a muscle-powered nibbler? *Should I
just plan on a pneumatic nibbler? * Would I likely see much difference
in the finished product? *I'm not set up for air tools right now, but I
could probably rent something ...

Please advise.

If you already had a compressor I would say get the Pneumatic one
otherwise I would get an elctric.

Jimmie