Shears and nibblers are two most common types of hand tools used by professionals and DIYers for metalworking, electronics, industrial, and other applications and are a great multi-purpose hand tool.
What are nibblers?
A nibbler is a tool that is often used in the metalworking or fabrication industry that cuts sheet metal cleanly without bending or distortion.
A nibbler works by nibbling a small section on the sheet metal, then being removed, and nibbling another section until a complete shape has been achieved. They are used for:
Applications:
Some nibblers have spring-loaded handles and slip guards for additional safety to reduce the risk of injury while in use
What are shears?
Shears are very similar to scissors but can work harder across a variety of applications. They can cleanly and precisely cut a straight edge or long gradual curves into multiple materials, however they are limited to being able to easily turn corners when cutting.
There are different variations of shears:
Shears are suitable for cutting a large range of materials like:
Some shears feature a serrated edge that is suited to cutting textiles, working in a kitchen or a garden. The serrated edges keep the blades secure whilst in use and reducing the risk of slipping and injury.
Note:
If you are working with live or energised currents, ensure your shears or nibblers are VDE approved to ensure user safety