Hi Folks,
Do we have a shear that will handle 16ga mild steel? The cut length will be ~32". I don’t mind needing to break/deburr edges but I can’t have any significant deformation of the metal (it needs to sit flat on a solid surface without the edges curling up or down).
If not, does anyone have access to a waterjet (or whatever) that could cut this? At least one portion of this is going to be a donation to the laser committee (they just don’t know it yet) 
Thanks!
If the normal shear is operating correctly, it will do 16ga mild. However since it’s a stomp shear it will need a little push.
The Dynatorch can also do sheet with the fine cut consumables. If done correctly with fine production settings, the heat should be even to prevent curling.
Very true. I find myself to have insufficient stomping mass. @mdredmond may need some auxiliary mass as well.
The stop shear might need a little TLC [it has been a long while since I tried to use it though] - and a lot of stomp. My vote is the Dynatorch [I also think you will have less distortion than using the shear].
I have little confidence in the stomp shear. I would not count on it doing what you want.
I’ll check it out but I’m going to go to a small waterjet place near my house and see if they can be sweet-talked into doing it for a reasonable price. I just need a couple of rectangles and will provide DXFs.
How small is your metal? This is a small shear in machine shop that may work for you if the metal is narrow enough.
That stomp shear won’t do 16 gauge it’s rated for it but it’s been abused. Use the Beverly shear in the metal shop or the plasma cutter. The shear in the machine shop would work but I think it’s only 24 inches long.
I’ve absolutely used it for 16ga. When was the last time someone took a look at it?
It’s probably been used enough that the blades should be reground. More important is checking the blade gap: Too wide and the metal folds, too tight and it pinches.
I’ve seen 16ga cut on this also, it does take some force