sheers and brakes?

[iowasculptor]

Anyone got any advice on relatively low cost 52" 16ga foot sheer, and finger brakes. I would like to know if there are brands to stay away from, grizzly, birmingham, and others, or are they all about the same. I typically use 16 ga steel for most of my pieces so I need something that will do the job, but not cost me too much. I figure that for my larger outdoor pieces I can go to a shop and have it cut, or if I get enough big ones I can get another more beefy one, the budget doesn't allow it right now.
thanks
Matt

[cheesepaws]

I picked up one of each for the school shop last year. After much research I decided on a 36" Tennsmith manual foot shear and a Baileigh Box & Pan Brake. I splurged on a Baileigh Sheet Metal Notcher too since the freight on the brake was so much and they said they would add the notcher at no additional (freight) cost. All the equipment handles 16g. Neither has seen much student use - but I have found them wonderful tools.

These are probably beyond your means right now but well worth saving up to buy. You definitely don't want a cheap shear!

If only I could find an inexpensive sliproll that handles 16g. I'd be a happy guy.

[Ries]

Well, the cheapo chinese stuff will work.
Its not great, but its not rocket science, either- no electronics, motors, or gear trains.

Grizz actually sells a nice euro style brake-
http://grizzly.com/products/50-Pan-Box-Brake/G0479
which is well made, and should work fine.

And their Chicago copy is quite sturdy, and a bargain for the money.
http://grizzly.com/products/48-Pan-Box-Brake-12-Ga-/G0542

American made, the mid range stuff is Tennsmith,
http://www.tennsmith.com/
or National
http://www.national-1.com/

I like Chicago, for brakes- but you pay for the quality.
http://www.americanmachinetools.com/hand_brake.htm

Most of the chinese stuff is pretty similar- I tend towards Jet or Grizzly, or maybe MSC/Enco, just because they are better about stocking parts, but really, its all close in quality.

[PTsideshow]

As been said about the shears. the imports are made by one outfit in China or India the Indian ones are bad for the quality of clean up of the castings. They do do the 16 ga. but you will be pushing it with them if you try heavier material on a regular basis.
Clarke, HF, and all the others are finished at different quality levels from the factory. Grizzly and some of the higher priced ones are the top end quality pieces hence the price difference.

I have used old school shop sheet metal tools Diarco etc.
:D

[EJB]

If the stars align for you, this is the greatest time to get this kind of equipment at auction. Check for industrial auctions in your area. If there is something close enough and you have the time to spend, you can get amazing things for pennies on the dollar. With so many big shops going out of business, the trick might be getting something small enough for your needs. It pays to do your homework before hand. If the plan is for student use you're probably better off with manually operated equipment as it reduces the learning curve and safety concerns, not to mention reduced maintenance.
I would also poke around sheet metal shops in your neighborhood. The workload for most of the HVAC guys has dropped off dramatically and they might be willing to cash out on some of their unused equipment. A small shop is also more likely to throw in some basic instruction as well. Perhaps make a school donation?

[evaldart]

Beware of working the cheaper ones at its advertised capacity. If it says it will do a max of 16g, that doesnt mean it will like it. To much of that work will trash it quick.

northern has got a 16g cutter, I have bought their stuff as medium quality solutions (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_120048_120048)

[arcdawg]

Tennsmith is pretty good, Look for older Pexto stuff. You get what pay for.