Sharpen Nibbler Punch & Die?

[Turbo]

I have a makita JN1601 nibbler that I bought used. I've only used it a few times & it has worked well.

I'm currently trying to cut some very thin 0.25mm box profile sheet & it's not going well. Initially it didn't want to cut it, it was just chewing it then jamming, leaving a long tongue of metal on the cut line. I think the steel was getting pushed into the die instead of cutting cleanly.

I took out the punch & sharpened it with a diamond file & that improved things as long as I was using it freehand. But if I try to use a steel guide to cut straight lines it jams up again!

This is what the punch looks like, the cutting edge is where the step is, I was thinking of putting it in the lathes 4 jaw chuck & offsetting it to try to cut a better edge on it using carbide tooling. I think its worth a try as a new punch is £23.50! Has anyone tried this before?

This is the die, more expensive at £26! I think the bore must be worn if the metal can get pushed in without getting cut. I'm able to file the top with a diamond file to improve the cutting edge but due to its shape it will be very hard to hold in the lathe.

Any bright ideas greatly appreciated!

 

[zzr1200]

I have had a Bosch Nibbler for years.

I found the only way found to get decent cuts when the cutting edge is blunt is to bite the bullet and buy a new die and cutter together it's just worth the aggro.

 

[Shox Dr]

Agree with John. I’ve had a CP nibber for 30+yrs its cut a lot of stainless sheet. Tried sharpening it to no avail.
I think the anvil wears out as well.

 

[MBB]

I had one and scrapped it. I replaced it with an electric hand shear. The cutting parts were eassy to sharpen or make.

 

[Snowy90]

KInda related! I always wanted a nibbler and have a Clarke air driven one, it works brilliantly, but has anyone any tips for stopping the shower of moon shaped nibbles that get shot everywhere? Im still finding them in my shooes after sweeping hoovering the garage floor?

Do better ones have some sort of shield or collection?

 

[mike os]

For thin sheet I prefer shears to a nibbler... any clearance and it will chew

 

[Pete.]

Punches and dies are supposed to have different clearances according to the material thickness. 15% (of material thickness) for ally 20% for steel and 25% for stainless. If the die is worn and the clearance opened up a bit it'll draw the metal into the punch instead of cutting it.

 

[Shox Dr]

KInda related! I always wanted a nibbler and have a Clarke air driven one, it works brilliantly, but has anyone any tips for stopping the shower of moon shaped nibbles that get shot everywhere? Im still finding them in my shooes after sweeping hoovering the garage floor?

Do better ones have some sort of shield or collection?

Tell me about it. I ruined a brand new posh lino floor in our kitchen... came in from work straight into kitchen and thought the floor was sticky. It wasn’t it was all the damn tiny crescents stuck in the soles of my boots cutting into the flooring

 

[mike os]

@Shox Dr Needs a laughing my ass off button ... I know that feeling

 

[Shox Dr]

@Shox Dr Needs a laughing my ass off button ... I know that feeling

Ey, that was over 30yrs ago, still pains me.

 

[graffian]

Agree with John. I’ve had a CP nibber for 30+yrs its cut a lot of stainless sheet. Tried sharpening it to no avail.
I think the anvil wears out as well.

I have one, I haven't used it in a long time. As I remember it the replacement punches came in packs of 5. The thing cut
fantastically with the original punch and the first few replacements, then it clearly needed a new die.
But dies were something like £28.
But I never tried cutting .25mm and I wouldn't be surprised if it wouldn't cut that thin. I did cut 22swg aluminium and it cut that OK.

 

[Turbo]

Thanks for the replies, some great info there!

I think I'll have a go at sharpening it, I've nothing to lose. I also found a seller on ebay with the correct punch & die at a well discounted price. Probably buy them to have on standby.

For thin sheet I prefer shears to a nibbler... any clearance and it will chew

I have a set of air shears I bought from Lidl & they are great at cutting this sheeting as long as you don't want a straight line! The cutting blades are badly made, bent & there's a gap on one side. It's impossible to follow a line, they always cut to one side, even using a straight edge as a guide! I'm hoping I still have the receipt & it's within the 3 yr warranty, they will be going back!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

KInda related! I always wanted a nibbler and have a Clarke air driven one, it works brilliantly, but has anyone any tips for stopping the shower of moon shaped nibbles that get shot everywhere? Im still finding them in my shooes after sweeping hoovering the garage floor?

Do better ones have some sort of shield or collection?

As long as it's not ali or stainless you're attacking, a 'strategically' placed/fixed magnet should at least help....?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Tell me about it. I ruined a brand new posh lino floor in our kitchen... came in from work straight into kitchen and thought the floor was sticky. It wasn’t it was all the damn tiny crescents stuck in the soles of my boots cutting into the flooring

I have to use a wire brush on my footware before entering the house after machining or a leave swarf over the place.

 

[mike os]

Thanks for the replies, some great info there!

I think I'll have a go at sharpening it, I've nothing to lose. I also found a seller on ebay with the correct punch & die at a well discounted price. Probably buy them to have on standby.



I have a set of air shears I bought from Lidl & they are great at cutting this sheeting as long as you don't want a straight line! The cutting blades are badly made, bent & there's a gap on one side. It's impossible to follow a line, they always cut to one side, even using a straight edge as a guide! I'm hoping I still have the receipt & it's within the 3 yr warranty, they will be going back!

Some cheap tools are just rubbish....

 

[Snowy90]

As long as it's not ali or stainless you're attacking, a 'strategically' placed/fixed magnet should at least help....?

Arrrr sounds interesting! will give it a go thanks, that and sheeting up like its a murder scene!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Arrrr sounds interesting! will give it a go thanks, that and sheeting up like its a murder scene!

In honesty, I can't take credit for that tip, another Member posted it ages back - I just have a decent long term memory.

 

[Turbo]

Had a quick look tonight & the punch is only showing .05mm wear at the cutting end, so not too much. What is more worrying was how much I could move it in the guide block, it appears to be worn & a new one is £65!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I have to use a wire brush on my footware before entering the house after machining or a leave swarf over the place.

Stick the magnet I n a bag . Turn bag inside out over chips and remove magnet.

 

[james butler]

thats a lot of dollar for just the die and punch
i got my nibbler from aldi for £15 and works a treat.
would it be worth pricing up a new unit?