8ins Bench Shear/Brake

[micknich2003]

I have just acquired an 8ins "Shear/Brake, a great aid and time saver when scratch building. The tool is ideal for accurately cutting tinplate, brass or nickel silver sheet up to 20thou/0.5mm thickness.  Obviously, it will take me a few days to become acquainted with it but I can already see its potential, and if nothing else it will save me a small fortune in purchasing the various grades of Piercing Saw Blades. I obtained mine from Arc Euro Trade of Syston near Leicester. See their website www.arceurotrade.co.uk apart from the Shear plenty of other "Goodies" of use to the scratch/kit builder. 

 

[Tinsnips]

Extremely useful bit of kit. I have an Axminster tools one and it will cut 0.5mm strips off a sheet of n/silver. I use it all the time. Maximum it will cut thickness wise is 0.5mm or 20thou in old money.
Cutting out sides for tenders, footplates, or bits for boilers is a piece of cake with it and saves hours.
rgds
Graham Powell

 

[28ten]

I have often thought one might be useful  :scratch: years ago I bought a light duty version from Metalsmith and I always wished I had spent the extra on something more solid - isn't that always the case?