Seems like things are finaly getting to a workable stage in my "shop". I went a finaly bought myself a angle grinder yesterday and today went to prepay on a Makita JS1600 power throatless shear. Rated for 16ga mild and 20ga SS it'll be perfect for what I need, mainly boffer armour. I've also got 2 oxy tank dishing forms welded and I've started the cleaning and snading of the forms with some flap disks. Once that's done I can fill them with either lead shot or sand and plug up the holes.
Next in line is a decent steel anvil with a hardy hole and get my welder to work with gas so I can make myself some forming stakes.
I'm getting happy.
The prospect of zipping through sheet metal with the shears is highly enticing as opposed to the noise, vibration and general pain in the tush of jigsaws and tin-snips to cut the pieces I need.
I'm also considering saving part of any proceeds from my sale towards the purchase of a tippmann boss leather stitcher, after the recommendations of Warren from Hoseky leather, I'm salivating at the thought of owning one.
The Makita you've mentioned is the equivalent of of what I'd purchased when I was starting out in the early 80's; though more efficient they're no quieter, or less annoying in terms of vibration than a decent jigsaw- just faster.
Also, be warned, if you push the shear too hard, the yoke will fatigue and eventually break.
Julian, thanks for the advice, however, in my logical mind, given equal noise and equal vibration levels, being able to cut through steel about 10 times faster than with a jigsaw the overall result is less noise and less vibration. You mentionned it is the equivalent of what you purchased 22 years ago, what make and model was it and did you use yours withing it's specs or did you push it past this?
Taltosh: That's the same shear you tried when you visited. It'll handle 14ga mild no problem.
I think Clay Sr. had one although it may have been bigger that lasted through around 20 years of cutting over it's rated capacity and general abuse before it burnt out.
Makita is a good brand. A lot of times the good brands are of course more expensive but they work better and last a lot longer so they're cheaper in the long-run. Then some tools should be considered disposible. Like the princess auto 4.5" angle grinder that went on sale once for $30 CDN although I bought mine for $40.
Julian: You might not be using the shear right. There shouldn't be vibration. The bigger ones do but the smaller ones like Taltosh ordered and the one I have don't cause much vibration at all if you've got them at the right angle.
------------------ The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy. Mad Matt's Armory
Matt, that's the one and you're the reason I decided to buy it. After seeing how quick it went through the metal when I visited your place I had my heart set on it. For the angle grinder I went with a 6amp black and decker for 70$ with a 3 year warranty. The flap disks are doing short work of cleaning the dishing forms and I can turn myself a set of Ironwood dishing hammers this winter.
