Nibbler for detailed sheet metal cuts?

[Gusb]

Anyone used a nibbler, electric/air, 18ga, 14 ga for detailed cuts in body panels and sheet metal? They seem a bit pricey but I'm wondering just how well they perform?

thanks

 

[cody c]

id like to get one as well actually, i see the around $60 at princes auto here sometimes. I would think you would find them cheap at harbor freight once in a while.

 

[2mbb]

I have a hand-operated one that works OK for very small length cuts in soft or thin metal. I also have the harbor freight electric one (that looks like an electric drill). This works OK too. It makes a clean cut (cleaner than sawzall) but it is a little fussy to get the perfect angle between the cutter and the metal so it doesn't bind. It does OK with large radius curves, too.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

I've got an air nibbler. Works allright.

I tend to use my plasma cutter for most of the things that the nibbler could do, as it really doesn't work well if the metal is anything other than totally flat.

But it's got it's place, and you can certainly make some nice curves and clean cuts with it. It REALLY helps to set up a guide for it to follow.

Dan

 

[CMD82]

I just picked one up from HF for ~ $20 (air operated). Works ok, although I have never used anyother brand before so I don't really have any comparison. As was mentioned before it makes clean cuts, but is sometimes fussy about getting everything lined up just right.