Adjustable Fence for Bench Shears

[James AParticipant @jamesalford67616]

I wish to use my set of bench shears to cut strips of metal approximately 4mm wide. They need to be parallel and of consistent size.

The strip is narrower than the thickness of the blade, making it difficult to use a conventional fence or stop as the blade would hit the stop.

Does anyone have a suggestion how to set up an adjustable stop so that I cut the strips consistently and without having to measure each one?

Thank you.

James

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Gosh; no shearing solution springs to mind. If you have a horizontal mill suitably equipped it might be possible to cut a stack of source material with a slitting saw; holding it all flat without lifting will though be a tough challenge.

Brian

 

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

James,

Can I ask what the dimensions of the finished article will be? From your description, I have in mind something akin to the stainless steel flexor used in some wiper blades, for example.  As I recall, they are about 4-5mm wide, about 1mm thick and in various lengths. Others may be able to suggest different alternatives, depending on size.

As for a fence (or even a “fench”), I’m afraid I can be of no use.

John

 

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Superglue a piece of sheet metal to the edge of the shear blade. Superglue a suitable spacer to that piece of sheet metal such that the 4mm width is achieved.

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

Can you not make a fence that has magnets so that it fit onto the cutting blade so that it moves with the blade it would need to be made a little deeper so that the metal will be able to push up against it

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Like John, How Long???

[bernard towers]

On bernard towers Said:

Like John, How Long???

And are they Silver?

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

Use an ‘arm’ on a pivot that swings up to act as a stop, and down away from the blade..?

 

[James AParticipant @jamesalford67616]

Thank you for all of the suggestions, which are really helpful. I had become so focussed on having a fixed stop at blade level and attached to the base, that I did not consider attaching something to the blade itself, or making a pivoted stop on an arm. I shall look at these as I have some large, strong magnets.

I also like the idea of flexor strips and shall have a look into these. I did look for suitable metal, but was unsuccessful. This gives a different avenue to explore.

As to choice of material and size: the strips are approximately 14cm long and 3mm to 4mm deep. The thickness is not too critical, but needs to be around 1mm. They are for cosmetic trims, so I am looking at polished stainless steel of which I have plenty from a scrap cooker hood or polished aluminium.

James.

 

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Hello again James,

I would do some dummy runs before you go much further. Stainless steel is difficult material to shear at the best of times as it tends to ‘squirm’ and run off course. Once embarked on its own track it does not respond well to steering corrections either and on strips of this width I imagine you will make a lot of scrap.

Sorry to be negative in my predictions but cutting S/S sheet in only a little over the thickness you are planning to use was really hard work. It  needed a lot of file correction later to clean up nasty wire edges that are dagger like and needle sharp, needing hefty gloves to handle.

Hence my milling suggestion if you have the facilities.

Brian

[James AParticipant @jamesalford67616]

Brian.

I  shall definitely do some dummy runs as I am not confident that the strip will be any good either. I hope that it is,  but …..
<p style=”text-align: right;”>Sadly,  I lack milling facilities,  other than for very tiny items.</p>
James.

[Peter Cook 6Participant @petercook6]

One random thought without seeing the shears.

Would it be possible to create a simple jig to measure the necessary stick out distance on one side of the blade, then clamp the feed material on the other side of the blade, far enough back to clear things.

The process would then be position jig, slide material into position, clamp material, remove jig, shear, unclamp material and repeat.

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

James,

I’ve sent you a PM (I hope, I find the new arrangement confusing!)

Regards   Brian

[James AParticipant @jamesalford67616]

Brian: thank you. I have just found it and sent you an e-mail.

An update.

The bright side is that I have had some excellent suggestions for setting up a serviceable fence for the shears which will be helpful for the future.

Sadly though, but not unexpectedly, cutting the narrow strips with the shears has not been successful. For short pieces of a couple of inches, it is fine, but anything more results in the predictable curls and twists. The burred-over edge is also very apparent on such a small piece.

I am now looking at other options. Watch this space…….

James.

 

 

 

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