Cheap Metal Guillotine Shear
This is a very basic answer for people who can not afford shears or don’t have space in their workshop. I discovered that an old wooden paper cutters will cut metal very well and not distort the straight edge of metal up to 20 gauge. It will do 18g in a pinch but not as easily or without some distortion… Practically everyone who is older has seen one especially in schools. The one on my workbench is from Ideal School Supply Co. Chicago, Ill.
The bed of what may be called an “antique” paper cutter is usually made of plywood or wood. E-bay or second hand stores and tool sellers sometimes have them.
Mine has a ruler at the top and will cut square corners with care. It also has parallel lines cut into the bed surface that help keep things straight. New ones don’t work as well because they are not heavy enough. Metal workings on the old ones are cast iron. Mine is also smaller. Don’t buy a big one unless you are only cutting thin gauges… Contact me if you have questions: Marilynn Nicholson taosjewelryschool@msn.com
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