Why are nibblers that can cut 5mm thick mild so expensive?

[ELL]

A nibbler that cuts 4mm thick mild -
120-200 quid ish for one


The only one I can find that cuts 5mm is a Fein one for 2 grand!

Why is this?
Surely that extra mm isn't worth 1800 quid.
Or is there a cheaper 5mm one that I haven't found yet?

 

[MetalMonkey]

I suspect the "4mm" nibbler you find for £120 is a cheap chinese unit which may, or may not cut 4mm of some sort of material for some unknown period of time.
A branded Makita 3.2mm nibbler is over £300 but I'd trust that would do what it says it will do.

The thicker you get, the exponentially more difficult the cut and beefier the machine.
5mm is a serious thickness to be cutting with a nibbler, so it makes sense the machine has a serious price tag to match.

Same with anything, when you get in to specialist tools the prices go up significantly and quickly.

 

[zzr1200]

5mm+ why are you not breaking out the plasma???

 

[Kram]

Wrong tool for the job. What are you trying to do this time?

Makita do a cordless circ saw that will cut thick steel, very impressive. The way a nibbler cuts would be extremely tough work for the punch and die for thicker metals.

 

[ELL]

Wrong tool for the job. What are you trying to do this time?

Makita do a cordless circ saw that will cut thick steel, very impressive. The way a nibbler cuts would be extremely tough work for the punch and die for thicker metals.

And how long do the blades last when cutting steel plate?

 

[zzr1200]

I've seen air powered circular saws about 50/60mm dia used to cut 6mm alloy sheet flooring in commercial vehicle trailers, I'm sure with the correct blade they would cut sheet steel.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Cutting 5mm steel with a nibbler would be a nightmare...

What type of cuts are you trying to make? For straight cuts I'd be using a 5 inch grinder and thin discs with a guide clamped along the cut line, or an evolution type saw with a TCT blade...or for intricate cuts its either a plasma, or a grinder, drills and burrs...

I cut 5mm flat bar quite often and a nibbler would be the last tool I'd choose

 

[Erie Fred]

A nibbler that cuts 4mm thick mild -
120-200 quid ish for one


The only one I can find that cuts 5mm is a Fein one for 2 grand!

Why is this?
Surely that extra mm isn't worth 1800 quid.
Or is there a cheaper 5mm one that I haven't found yet?

What exactly are you trying to do ?

 

[frank horton]

I sure a five mm nibbles would be impossibly clumsy so fancy work would be impossible
Plus a normal bloke would hardly be able to hold it up for long….
I bought spare blades for my TCT metal saws and have never used em yet…
The originals have lasted v well n cut a lot of metal…mostly 10mm plate….

 

[Redsailor]

I used to have a Trumpf nibbler that would do 3/8" or 9mm plate. Went through plate with no trouble, sounded like a machine gun. A right b....r to lift though, but once on the cut you could guide it with one hand!

 

[ELL]

I used to have a Trumpf nibbler that would do 3/8" or 9mm plate. Went through plate with no trouble, sounded like a machine gun. A right b....r to lift though, but once on the cut you could guide it with one hand!

OK this is bad news for me I think. I am trying to be more quiet. I do all my work in my back yard. Thanks.

 

[ELL]

I sure a five mm nibbles would be impossibly clumsy so fancy work would be impossible
Plus a normal bloke would hardly be able to hold it up for long….
I bought spare blades for my TCT metal saws and have never used em yet…
The originals have lasted v well n cut a lot of metal…mostly 10mm plate….

That's good news. Have you cut lots of 10mm plate with this TCT blade? What is the brand please? And what saw are you using? Thanks.

 

[ELL]

What exactly are you trying to do ?

Cut mild steel sheets to size to make tops for work benches.

 

[Erie Fred]

Cut mild steel sheets to size to make tops for work benches.

No one is gonna want a work bench top with a nibbled edge.

I ran a Fein that would do 5/16" thick, big heavy brute of a tool.
cutting 1/4" plate, trying to hold it along a straight edge to make
some semblance of a straight line was futile.

Plus, the edge had all these sharp points from each bite.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Cut mild steel sheets to size to make tops for work benches.

You are going to spend just ad much time on clean up after a nibbler as you would just using a 9" grinder to make the cut...

I'd be using plasma for that...clamp a bit of angle iron as a guide, whiz down it then a quick touch up with a flap disc

 

[Kram]

And how long do the blades last when cutting steel plate?

Quite long I'd imagine given they are designed for the purpose.

 

[DanZac]

OK this is bad news for me I think. I am trying to be more quiet. I do all my work in my back yard. Thanks.

Is a circular saw chomping its way through a metal plate any quieter than a grinder?

I'd imagine it's quicker and a better cut, but if the OP is trying to be quieter is that the solution?

 

[Kram]

Plasma is significantly quieter than any other home owner type options, just need a guide rail as freehand will be far from straight.

 

[8ob]

Is a circular saw chomping its way through a metal plate any quieter than a grinder?

I'd imagine it's quicker and a better cut, but if the OP is trying to be quieter is that the solution?

I have a metal cutting circular saw, spiteful noisy horrid things. You can hear them in the next county and if you can’t hear them you will feel the hot snugs landing on you.

Bob

 

[DanZac]

Is a circular saw chomping its way through a metal plate any quieter than a grinder?

I'd imagine it's quicker and a better cut, but if the OP is trying to be quieter is that the solution?

I have a metal cutting circular saw, spiteful noisy horrid things. You can hear them in the next county and if you can’t hear them you will feel the hot snugs landing on you.

Bob

That answers that question then.