I had given up hope of being able to afford a bench shear, with the
prices hovering above $1,000 in recent years for a good shear.
However, I noticed that Rio Grande has a “no name” 12" bench shear
priced at $395, that will handle sheet up to 18 gauge, and is
USA-made. Does anyone have experience with this shear or have an
opinion on it?
Link for shear: http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1t7
Link for manual: http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1t8
I looked at the 12" bench shear from Rio for $395 and would say it
looks a little on the weak side, and that’s supported by the specs,
which say it’s for 18 ga. max on soft metal, and 24 ga. max on mild
steel. Then I went to Grizzly Tools and put in a search for what I
thought would be something like what I got from IJS 25 years ago, a
heavy duty 12" bench shear, for much less $$$ than the top-end ones,
but I found instead one that looks just like the one from Rio,
except it’s for $285 :
A shear is a big purchase for a lot of people, and an important one
usually, and limiting yourself to the specs of this shear
is…well, limiting yourself. Surf mode on… and here’s the same
design, made in USA, for $485
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1t9
Looks like a popular design.
The one I have is more like the DiAcro, was $700 back then, so it
would be around $1,000 now, probably, about what I could get an
imported 52" stomp shear for. If I was in the market for a 12" shear
again, and had a little money to spend (like I did then), I’d do
what I did then: go for something ‘below’ a DiAcro, but above the
light duty models.
DS
http://www.sheltech.net (work)
....I noticed that Rio Grande has a "no name" 12" bench shear priced at $395, that will handle sheet up to 18 gauge, and is USA-made. Does anyone have experience with this shear or have an opinion on it?
We purchased one of these shears for our studio (community college
metals & silversmithing program). I think it’s made by Pepe. It makes
good straight cuts, after some minor adjust of the guide. It has a
limited capacity, we’re limiting it to 18g non-ferrous, although we
have cut 16g nugold a couple times. We don’t leave it out during open
labs; it’s available only during class times. So far so good, I may
get one for my own studio.
Ruthanne Robertson