These types of tools can cut into corners quite easily, and can even make small cuts in different directions with a great deal of precision. If you need to make long straight cuts, electric shears are a cheaper tool for the job. For cutting work when you need to start on a corner, you could use a conventional hand nibbler to make the first cut, and then continue cutting the rest of the work-piece with electric shears.
Or better use an electric nibbler for the whole cut, corner, and straight cutting. Keep in mind that nibblers can take as much as 6 mm of material off the piece you are cutting. They are therefore less suitable for work-pieces that you need a tight cut, for example, a flashing.
One of the best things about nibblers is that they can create cuts without warping or distorting. This quality makes them excellent choices for situations where you want to preserve the appearance of the material. One of the main advantages that nibblers have over electric shears and tin snips is that they are less prone to jamming, this is because they cut a sizable amount of material off the workpiece. Most nibblers punch fairly wide holes as they cut.
This gives the mobility and ability to cut around corners easily—which is where jamming usually takes place—nibblers are not likely to get caught in the material as compared to other tools like electric shears and tin-snips. Nibblers can even cut over corrugated metal sheets efficiently, even when cutting at an angle. Try that with shears or tin snips, and your work will probably be messy and take much longer to complete. Also, nibblers make much smoother and more consistent cuts than even your best pair of shears or snips ever could.
Nibblers are pretty easy to use, but you do need to get accustomed to how they work and get the right size for the gauge sheet metal you will be cutting. If you have never used a nibbler before, it would be a good idea to practice first on some throwaway of-cuts first before cutting the real work. When working on visible roofing edges, make your cut is about half an inch longer than where you want the finished edge.
You can then create a second finer cut with tin snips easily without the tin-snips jamming. As you get better at using a nibbler, you can try making your cuts to the precise size. When making cuts into the middle of a work-piece, it is always a good idea to create a starter hole with a drill.
Most nibblers can start cuts with holes as small as 0. But check the stats of your nibbler for the minimum starter hole size it can work with just to be sure. These pieces can sometimes be very sharp and can cause injury or mar the surface of your work-piece. You can attach a strong magnet to the end of a stick to help you pick up the metal shavings at the end of a job. A good electric nibbler can be the best tool for roofers, car work, and anyone doing sheet metal cutting jobs.
They are pretty much unbeatable tools when you need to make clean cuts, and they are especially useful for cutting sheet metal corners and angles. Nibbler tools cut across corrugated iron easily, and on angles which is beyond the capabilities of most shears and tin snips.
If you foresee the need to do a lot of metal cutting, a good model from Makita, Hitachi, or Ingersoll would be well worth the cost. Otherwise, stick to the only nibbler we recommend below for its ergonomic grip motor, gauge rating, and smooth cutting abilities. Good article other than that. Your email address will not be published. Our tradies are reader-supported, approved purchases may earn a small commission.
Learn more. Fact checked by our Carpenter Aaron Last updated on November 24, The best nibbler tool is made with easy-to-replace cutter heads. Best electric nibbler. Best pneumatic nibblers. Best cordless nibbler. Best nibbler drill attachment. Best hand nibbler. Should you use a nibbler tool? Before buying a nibbler tool…. Choosing the best nibbler? When to use a hand nibbler. Nibblers vs. Electric shears vs.
How do nibbler tools actually work? What metals and thickness can nibblers cut? Why nibblers are the best tool for cutting sheet metal. Tips for using a nibbler tool. Comparing top electric nibblers.
Easy to control and grip when cutting corrugated metal sheets. Cut with 5 amps of power. Cuts through ribbed corrugated roofing building sheets easily. Easy to get professional-looking results and can cut complex curves and intricate shapes. Good value for money nibbler. Very lightweight nibbler at only 3.
Less power and cut depth than the Makita jn 6. Preferred choice by some pro roofers. A noticeable step up from cheaper models. Built-in a heavy-duty compact design. Less power at only 3. Noticeably more expensive than the Makita. Can only cut up to 18 gauge metal. Powerful 6. Has a rubberized grip for comfortable handling. Can cut 10 gauge metal. Has a built-in thickness gauge. Lightweight for better control. Runs a bit loud.
A popular choice by many. Small handle size for easy grip and controlled cutting. Reasonably priced. Lightweight at 3. Cuts through most materials smoothly and quickly. The motor is only 3. Effective at straight and curved cuts. Die is adjustable to three positions. Downward punching design reduces metal debris. More power than the smaller Hitachi.
Expensive compared to other nibblers. The grip is a bit uncomfortable. Cuts curves and straight lines in 18 Gauge metal sheets quickly and easily. Cuts through corrugated steel efficiently. Noticeably better quality than cheaper nibblers.
Smaller and easier to hold and control than plug-in units. Cheaper than plugin nibblers if you already have a compressor. Can be adjusted for use in tight spaces Nice feel and build quality. Easier to hold and control than plug-in units with the smaller handle. Cuts a variety of shapes accurately in 18 gauge metal sheets. Cheaper than electric nibblers and the Ingersoll Rand , this is the cheapest high-quality nibbler. More maintenance instructions would be good. Surprisingly good quality for the price.
Expect high-quality cutter cuts. Works even with low air pressure. You need a compressor for an air nibbler. An air-powered nibbler is smaller, lighter, and easier to hold and control. Read the full review. Saves a great deal of time, without having to run leads, and move them all the time. Useful for small metal cutting tasks. A powerful yet lightweight nibbler. Less power than a plug-in nibbler. Adjustable for straight and right and left cutting.
Soft grip handle for comfortable, fatigue-free handling. Has a convenient battery indicator. Save time being a cordless model, as running leads over a roof is annoying. More expensive than a plugin model, with less power also. Testing out a nibbler drill attachment with a bench mount to cut metal. The best quality nibbler drill attachment alternative that runs at RMP with the same maneuverability and accuracy as a dedicated nibbler.
Compact and sturdy design, that even comes with 3 replacement cutting heads and 2 bench clamps for controlled accuracy in your workshop. Effectively achieve the best accuracy with the use of included bench clamps and guides for cutting p erfect circles and straight lines. For heavy cutting of roofing, a dedicated nibbler is better. Runs at RMP for clean cutting of sheets. Great for DIY and small roofing jobs. Can cut a variety of intricate shapes in sheet metal freehand.
Includes 1 replacement cutter head. A cheaper option for DIY cutting sheet metal jobs Compact design. Comes with a spare cutter and spare heads Effective at even tight radius cuts such as corners of square cuts.
Slow to use, only for small jobs otherwise you need a proper nibbler. A handle for better control. Plugin nibbler alternative for small DIY metal cutting jobs. Can cut a variety of intricate shapes. Cuts slowly, only for small DIY jobs. Tends to lock up easily. More expensive than the retiree. Durable hand nibbler. We love to personally see and speak with our customers. We are recruiting content creators to partner with Millner-Haufen! When someone clicks your affiliate link and purchases our products, you are rewarded with an affiliate commission.
Close menu. Close cart. Close esc. Add to cart. Key features: Extruded aluminum body offers strength without adding weight Effective on flat stock, corrugated material, round stock e.
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