Building a metal shear for 15n20, help please!

Dan Seaver

Dan Seaver

Joined
Jun 25, 2007
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898
I need to build a shear for 1/16 15n20 since it wrecks havoc on my bandsaw. I have to make about 72 cuts every few days so I need something more efficient than my chop saw too. All of the 15n20 I would be cutting would be 1-1/2"x1/16".

I'm thinking either an air assisted bottle jack or a treadle hammer design. I think the treadle hammer design would be faster but I'm not sure how much weight I would need the head to be, I was thinking 20lb with a 12" drop. Does this sound about right?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
-Dan
 
Entirely out of curiosity, do you really think you can build one cheaper than buy one?

(I would go with the bottle jack over the treadle style)
 
I have a $150+/- hand shear that works great. But I buy all my 15N20 from Kelly Couples already sheared?
 
Yes I do believe so. Shouldn't cost me any more than $10, I have the steel for the blades, a new roll of mig wire, and the junk yard sells me anything and everything I'll need.

To be honest I could make one that runs on an eccentric cam but I don't know if that would provide enough force.

Edit- Don, my 15n20 from Aldo is already sheared to 1.5 wide but is 48" long, I need to shear it to 1" long for mosaic damascus.

Edit- Don, are you talking about something like this? http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-12-Professi...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ef9a61d0e
 
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I bought a Beverly Shear (like the one in the ebay listing) and on the first cut the blade broke. Took it back to HF (yea I know). Beware you need to make sure the unit you get will work. I have also used a really good one and it worked well.
 
WOW 100 buck s thats cheap and takes all of 4 seconds to make by clicking buy it now. Thats my kinda machine, when i get into bangin damascus ill be getting one. Would that cut L6 or is it to hard. I have a pile of L6 enough for over 100 knives and I was gonna cut it with a hack saw but its to hard.
 
How about a Buffalo Forge #2 Dan?
 

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Don what size model is it? I would like to get the 5" because its the lowest priced and anything longer is excessive for my needs. It says it cuts 1/4" so I would think 1/16 15n20 would be ok.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-5-Professio...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3356e833c9

Chuck since the blades are replaceable on the model I'm looking at I don't believe it should be an issue. If the blades are junk I can just make a pair.

Bruce, I think thats a little excessive for now. :) By the way Mike told me your having issues with the belt on your fairbanks, I'll send you a pm after work today.
 
Make a high leverage cutter, sort of like a paper cutter. Use D-2 for the cutter and anvil ( by-pass).They should be about 1"X2"X4" The lever handle could be a piece of 1/4"X2" mild steel about three feet long. The cutter and anvil go at the pivoted end of the handle. The cutter only needs a small angle to the edge, about 70-80 degrees ( almost square) . The anvil is 90 degrees. This should shear 1/16" stock easily.

To make this clearer, the cutter bolts to the lever handle which is pivoted at one end. The anvil is mounted flat to the cutter, so the cutter runs across the anvil face like a pair of scissors.
Stacy
 
Dan, the 5" model should be fine. Mine is a 5 or 6" and looks just like the second one on the Enco page Del provided. Mine is made in Germany and has a 3 foot handle. This type of shear is all that's needed for 1/16" 15N20.
 
Just thought I would let you guys know. I bought the 5" model from ebay and... wow! :eek: Anybody that needs to cut up thin 15n20 BUY ONE! I just cut up 24 pieces in about 8 minutes. I am extremely pleased with the ease and rapid cutting. I just saved 3 bandsaw blades every two weeks, so it will pay for itself in two weeks. :thumbup:

Thanks again for all the help guys, you have saved me a lot of money!
 
I don't often get a chance to say this, but I told you so.
Set up a stop block for your regular sizes and you can do a dozen pieces in a minute easy. Your arm may get a bit sore the first few times though.
Del
 
If you can get one of these, I'd recommend it. I shear my 15N20 and the semi-hardened 1/2 x 1 1084 I get, and just about anything else. Great for punching holes and slots and all kinds of other fun too.
You can find hydraulic ironworkers at auction cheap these days!
 

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delbert ealy said:
I don't often get a chance to say this, but I told you so.
Set up a stop block for your regular sizes and you can do a dozen pieces in a minute easy. Your arm may get a bit sore the first few times though.
Del
Click to expand...

Wait, you told me something? :confused: ;)

That was actually part of the plan, an adjustable stop block and a 90 degree stop block, so I can keep all my cuts the same length and at 90 degrees without any trouble.o

JC I would love one of those! It will have to wait until I move into my new shop though, I'm starting to run out of room in my current one.
 
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