DIY Hydraulic Metal Shear

Hey Guys-I've almost got my 83 properly chopped and I'm in the process of making up some "good" metal tabs to replace the temp ones I cut with my angle grinder. I would love to get a good metal shear to handle 3/16 plate. Anybody know of a way to convert a hydraulic press into a metal shear? I know SWAG makes a setup to make a metal brake, but I'm looking for a metal shear set up.

Any help would be appreciated. thx, Cranky Bunny

I would get a Milwaukee metal saw. We chopped wings off aircraft with them, and they are mountains cheaper than anyrhing that will shear 3/16. You are looking at a 20 ton shear to cut 3/16" our 30 ton would cut 1/4 boiler plate, but it's a 35k machine. Look into plasma cutters as well.

Theres no way your going to shear 3/16 unless its about 1/4 " wide.

Figured I would give this thread a bump up since I just got done slicing my fingers while cutting sheet metal....

Could of sworn I saw a picture of a guillotine shear that would fit in a press like the Swag Offroad metal brake. Anybody seen one like this? I've emailed Swag and they said they are working on a shear now but don't know when they are going to release it.

I've got Xmas money and I'm determined to spend it before my wife figures out ways of spending it responsibly....

CB

Hi CB,
there's a family of machine tools called ironworkers that are the closest you'll come to what you describe but the cheapest of those ain't cheap.
I use an Oxy-Acetylene cutting torch for the small amount of heavy plate work that I do
and only then for fancy curves that ain't doable with a power saw.

I know, I know, it's not a shear, but I picked the saw up at a yard sale for $15. Add some scrap iron, hose clamps, box & switch, layin' around. BOOM. Vertical band saw that can accomodate 3" tall x 3" deep x X" wide. Great for small bits/brackets.

NONclow said:

I know, I know, it's not a shear, but I picked the saw up at a yard sale for $15. Add some scrap iron, hose clamps, box & switch, layin' around. BOOM. Vertical band saw that can accomodate 3" tall x 3" deep x X" wide. Great for small bits/brackets.

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Be carefull with that porta band,Ive seen plenty of those blades come off on job sites.
There is no way to contain that blade if it comes off that top roller,not a good idea to have a hand anyplace in the area if it happens.

Thanks for the concern. But I have not a cavalier attitude towards machinery, and it's not like it's used for anything more than mild steel, aluminum, or wood.

"If it's not cutting push it harder", yeah.... right

P.S. Don't get me wrong, I have scars from countless activities, including laying a bike (or two) down, and have plenty of room left!

I'll agree with the peanut gallery here. I've spent a few hours feeding a metal worker and it's a very specialized machine. Even if you have one or some lash up device used with a press, the set up time will have you grabbing the angle grinder anyway. Don't forget that a metal worker distorts the piece at the cut. A metal cutting band saw if you have a LOT of straight cuts to make in heavy metal. But a VICE or solid table and c-clamps then a cut off blade in the angle grinder or a tig/plasma rig would make more sense for all but the largest fabrication shop. When I went to the big metal sales place for some press plates for my 50 ton they used a band saw to make the cuts on the 1" x 8" bar stock I bought.