The Best Metal Cutting Power Shears To Buy, Sell and Trade

A metal cutting shear machine, aka a Power shearing machine, is a type of industrial equipment used to cut or shear various types of materials into precise shapes and sizes. Shearing machines work by applying a cutting force to a material through a set of sharp blades, usually in a straight line. The material being cut is typically placed on a flat surface, and the blades are brought down onto the material with a significant amount of force. This causes the material to be cut along the desired line, producing a clean and precise cut.

Shearing machines cut a wide range of materials, including sheet metal, plastic, rubber, cardboard, and even fabric. They are commonly used in manufacturing and fabrication industries to produce components or parts for various products, such as automotive parts, electronic enclosures, and household appliances.

There are several different types of shearing machines available, including mechanical, hydraulic, and electric models. The choice of machine depends on the specific application and the type of material being cut.

Hydraulic shear machines

are the most popular because they offer several advantages over other types of shearing machines. They are the most widely used shear in many industrial applications.

1. Greater cutting force: Hydraulic shearing machines use hydraulic cylinders to generate a significant amount of cutting force, allowing them to cut through thicker and harder materials than other types of shearing machines.
2. Precision cutting: Hydraulic shears offer high precision cutting due to their rigid and stable construction. This makes them suitable for cutting materials into precise shapes and sizes with minimal waste.
3. Ease of use: Hydraulic shearing machines are easy to operate and require minimal maintenance. They have a user-friendly control system, which makes it easy for operators to adjust the cutting parameters.
4. Versatility: Hydraulic shearing machines can be used to cut a wide range of materials, from thin sheets of metal to thicker plates. They are also suitable for cutting different shapes and sizes of materials, making them versatile and adaptable to various industrial applications.

The cost of hydraulic shears can vary widely depending on factors such as their size, cutting capacity, and level of automation. They are considered cost-effective due to their durability, low maintenance requirements, and high productivity.

For a hydraulic shear, cost can be a few thousand for a manual or foot shear machine to thousand dollars for metal plate shears and sheetmetal shears. Shears cutting Inch plate may have a cutting capacity of 1/4”, 3/8”, ½”, ¾” and even 1”.  Shears cutting gauge materials are suitable for cutting sheet metal or thin-gauge steel such as 10 Ga., 12 Ga., 14 Ga., 16 Ga., 18 Ga. and 20 Gauge.

Some of the most popular brands of Hydraulic Shears

Sterling Machinery Exchange and Fabrication buys and sells are commonly used in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and metalworking, where heavy-duty metal plate cutting is required. All of these brands have a reputation for producing hydraulic shears that are durable, precise, and efficient.

-Accurshear is an American company that produces high-quality hydraulic shears for cutting metal sheets.

-Amada: is Japanese made shear.

-Cincinnati is an American company that produces a range of hydraulic shears.

- Baileigh Industrial is a American company that imports shears globally.  They sell hundreds of types of machines and are well known throughout the metalworking and fabrication industry.

-Pacific is an American company that produces hydraulic shears for cutting metal sheets.

-U.S. Industrial imports fabrication and metalworking machinery from China.  They have been manufacturing fabrication machinery for many years and are popular in Schools, power plants and other government facilities.

-Standard Industrial is a USA made company manufacturing in the Midwest.  They are known for heavy duty shears and press brakes.

-Wysong & Miles is an American company that has manufactured shears and press brakes for decades.  They specialize in mechanical power shears for production.

Mechanical shears, are used for cutting sheet metal and other materials. The mechanical shear has a number of disadvantages that can impact their performance and efficiency. Mechanical shears use mechanical force to cut through materials, typically with a flywheel or clutch system. They are generally less expensive than hydraulic shears and are well-suited for lighter-duty applications or quick cutting production.  A mechanical shear will cycle more than twice as fast as a typical hydraulic shearing machine.

Some of the disadvantages of mechanical shears include:

1. Limited cutting capacity mechanical shears are generally designed for cutting thin to medium thickness materials. Attempting to cut materials that are too thick or hard can damage the blades or cause other problems.
2. Limited accuracy mechanical shears may not provide the same level of precision and accuracy as other cutting methods, such as laser cutting or waterjet cutting. This can result in uneven edges or inconsistent cuts.
3. High maintenance mechanical shears require regular maintenance to keep them in good working condition. Blades can become dull or damaged over time, and other parts may wear out or need to be replaced.
4. Safety concerns: Mechanical shears can be dangerous if not operated properly. Operators must be properly trained to use them safely, and appropriate safety measures must be in place to prevent accidents.
5. Noise and vibration: Mechanical shears can generate significant noise and vibration during operation, which can be disruptive to workers and potentially harmful to their health.

Power Squaring Shears are a type of industrial cutting machine used to cut large sheets of metal or other materials into smaller, more manageable pieces. It is equipped with a powerful electric motor and a set of sharp, straight blades that can slice through thick sheets of metal with ease.The term "power squaring" refers to the machine's ability to produce precise, square cuts in the material, which is essential for many industrial applications. The shear's blades are typically made from high-strength steel and are carefully aligned to ensure clean, straight cuts every time. Power squaring shears are commonly used in metalworking shops, fabrication plants, and other industrial settings where large sheets of material need to be cut quickly and accurately. They come in a range of sizes and configurations to accommodate different types of materials and cutting requirements.

CNC shears use computer numerical control (CNC) technology to precisely control the cutting process. They are ideal for complex cutting applications where precision and repeatability are critical.

Guillotine shears use a vertical blade that moves up and down to make the cut. They are well-suited for cutting large sheets of material quickly and with minimal waste.

Swing beam shears use a pivoting beam that swings down to make the cut. They are well-suited for cutting thicker materials and are often used in metalworking and fabrication shops.

Variable rake shears allow the operator to adjust the angle of the blade, providing greater flexibility for different cutting applications.

Air-powered shears use compressed air to power the cutting process. They are often used in automotive and other manufacturing applications where noise and vibration are a concern.

Foot Shears, Circle Shears, and Alligator Shears are other types of industrial shears that are used to cut different types of materials are.   Sterling Machinery Exchange and Fabrication can assist you with the right shear for your workplace and end result.

Foot Shear: A foot shear is a type of manual cutting machine used to cut sheet metal. It is operated by foot, and the cutting blade is activated by pressing down on a foot pedal. Foot shears are commonly used in small-scale metalworking shops and can cut materials of various thicknesses.  These are some of the popular brands of foot shears.

-Wysong is a trusted brand in the metalworking industry and offers a range of foot shears designed to meet the needs of both small and large-scale operations.

-National Sheet Metal Machines is known for its reliable and efficient foot shears.

-Baileigh Industrial offers a range of foot shears designed for a variety of applications, from cutting thin sheet metal to heavy-duty industrial materials.

-Tennsmith foot shears are designed to meet the needs of both small and large-scale operations.

Circle Shears:

a specialized cutting machine that is used to cut circles out of sheet metal. It consists of a circular cutting blade mounted on a spindle, which rotates around a fixed center point. The sheet metal is clamped down onto a table, and the cutting blade is brought down onto the material to create a circular cut. Circle shears are commonly used in the HVAC and roofing industries. Some of the popular brands include:

1. Baileigh Industrial offers a range of circle shears that can cut through different types of materials including steel, aluminum, and copper.
2. May Tool brand of circle shears in the metalworking industry are designed for precision cutting of sheet metal and other materials.
3. Beverly Industries circle shears are known for their durability and reliability.
4. By George is another reputable brand of circle shear that is designed for cutting through various materials, including aluminum, brass, and copper.
5. JET Tools circle shears are designed for precision cutting of sheet metal and other materials.

Alligator Shear: An alligator shear is a heavy-duty cutting machine used to cut scrap metal and other types of materials. It has a large, powerful cutting blade that is hinged at one end and operated by a hydraulic system. The material to be cut is placed between the blade and a stationary jaw, and the blade is brought down onto the material with great force, cutting it cleanly in two. Alligator shears are commonly used in scrap yards and metal recycling facilities.

If you are looking to trade up or purchase a new or used Hydraulic Shear, talk to the experts at Sterling Machinery Exchange and Fabrication.  Sterling Machinery Exchange will guide you to what you need for your fabrication workplace. As you can see from above it’s a machinery dealers language to know the best shear for your purposes. We do the work for you! We offer expert knowledge and a showroom floor of inventory of several different types of Shears.

Sell your used Shear or purchase a new hydraulic shearing machine from a trusted and reputable company with a 70 year history of being an experienced new, or used machinery dealer. Sterling Machinery is your one stop to make.  We pay top dollar for used machines. If you want to Auction your entire facility, we are the number one choice for Auctions, Liquidations, and Appraisals. 

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