Pneumatic shear and nibbler question

[Julio Navarro]

What is the difference between a pneumatic shear and nibbler?

I need to cut 22ga sheet galvanized metal, mostly straight lines and large wide curves, which tool is best?

[Ed Labadie]

Julio,
Shears usually cut thicker material, they are made more for straight line cutting & produce a ribbon of scrap.
Nibblers are for thinner materail, will cut a much more intricate shape than a shear. Nibblers produce a little 1/4 moon shape piece of scrap, they are sharp & like to dig into your shoes. Keep a broom close, keep kids & pets away when using the nibbler.
If you need to cut a really straight line with a nibbler, an edge guide will work pretty good.

Ed

[Brian King]

Milwaukee and Kett both make nice shears. I have a set that will cut up to 18 gage and we have the 16 gage Kett's at work. I also have a set of Ingersoll Rand nibblers at home. I use them only if I have too. The shears are much nicer to use in my experience. They cut fast and roll up a nice coil of scrap when you are cutting. It depends on the radius you need to cut though. You can't turn too sharp with shears.
Hope this helps.
Brian