Draper 35748 Expert 255Mm Hand Nibbler by Draper In Stock$24.82 My hand dexterity and squeeze strength is not in the best of fitnessProduct DescriptionExpert quality, for cutting a wide variety of materials cleanly without bending or distortion. Interchangeable cutters have accurately ground edges. Spring-loaded handles are coated and have slip guards for extra safety. Cuts sheet metal up to 1.2 mm thickness and laminates and plastics up to 2 mm.Draper Expert tools are ideal for the professional tradesperson or the committed DIYer who appreciates quality. The range includes items for all of your professional and home improvement needs, including power tools, socket and spanner sets, saws and woodworking tools, storage items and protective gear, and engineering tools.All Draper tools are manufactured to high quality standards that are strictly controlled by our quality control engineers. They offer good value for money and a number of useful features to improve the performance of the product. All Draper products come backed by the Draper Tools guarantee.1.2 mm = 19 gauge sheet steel thickness.Am I barking up a tree with too thin of metal nibbling capacity?

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:Draper 35748 Expert 255Mm Hand Nibbler by Draper In Stock$24.82 My hand dexterity and squeeze strength is not in the best of fitnessProduct DescriptionExpert quality, for cutting a wide variety of materials cleanly without bending or distortion. Interchangeable cutters have accurately ground edges. Spring-loaded handles are coated and have slip guards for extra safety. Cuts sheet metal up to 1.2 mm thickness and laminates and plastics up to 2 mm.Draper Expert tools are ideal for the professional tradesperson or the committed DIYer who appreciates quality. The range includes items for all of your professional and home improvement needs, including power tools, socket and spanner sets, saws and woodworking tools, storage items and protective gear, and engineering tools.All Draper tools are manufactured to high quality standards that are strictly controlled by our quality control engineers. They offer good value for money and a number of useful features to improve the performance of the product. All Draper products come backed by the Draper Tools guarantee.1.2 mm = 19 gauge sheet steel thickness.Am I barking up a tree with too thin of metal nibbling capacity?after messing around with hand nibblers for a while, I finally just said "enough is enough" and bought an air nibbler and use it with my compressor. If you have access to a compressor, that's my suggestion.

Would be to thin for me. I use a el cheapo air nibble that does the job.

No air. But your answers saved me from squandering $25 dollars and to me that ain't peanuts!Thank You!

Maybe heavy tin snips and invite a friend over?

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:No air. But your answers saved me from squandering $25 dollars and to me that ain't peanuts!Thank You!Back when I was in my 20's I used a hand nibbler to mod Fisher VCRs in order to change the rewind/fast forward idler.. It was sandwiched between two pieces of sheet metal.. The only way to get it out without completely tearing the VCR down was using a nibbler to cut away some metal on one end of the sheet metal..Fast forward 30 yrs and I can assure you that I want no parts of a hand nibbler..Get a air nibbler, for a cheap air supply take a look at Harbor Freight air compressors.. You can pickup pancake size for $30 if you watch for sales..

Sheet Metal Nibbler / Good Brand? | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

westend
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Until they make a round, fused, power inlet for 120V, I'm married to making rectangles in aluminum plate.
I usually drill, saw, and file. It is third world process but it gets the job done.
The round rockers would be the easiest solution but may not fit the cosmetics?
landyacht318
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Rectangular holes are a PITA

Mex does not want to use a toggle switch.

Good thing they make round rocker switches, so all one needs is a stop collar on a proper diameter drill bit:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/177-0654998-9462706?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=round+rocker+switches

I'm done with rectangular holes and switches
westend
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Mex,
Whats the application here? You mentioned a possible damage to a dashboard, is this the location that you need the rocker switches installed?

I don't know if it would work but I have two aluminum amplifier faceplates gathering dust. One has two rocker slots and the other one has a single space. Unfortunately these are .385 thick so weight might be an issue. The upside is that the gold faceplate has "Pure Class A Power" nicely scribed on the front. I thought that might fit your endeavors well, lol.
lc0338
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
There are micro saws but probably more pricey. If the project doesn't require it to be too neat maybe just drill a series of holes and use a short section of hacksaw blade. If it is a square hole 4ea larger holes in the corners should give clearance for the saw blade.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Couldn't find one....

Is there such a thing as a MICRO sabre saw? My hand strength is just short of pathetic.
jeomelia
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
second the use of a sabor saw, works well, and it has other uses.
j-d
Explorer II
Nov 20, 2015
lc0338 wrote:
Here is a little cheaper drill nibbler but have no experience with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Malco-Capacity-Cutting-Attachment-8-Inch/dp/B0000AQK7C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1447985819&sr=8-2&keywords=nibbler+drill+attachment

I think this one is a Shear not a Nibbler. There ARE Nibblers in that price range ($50 and under), the ones I noted with Mixed Reviews.
j-d
Explorer II
Nov 20, 2015
There are a number of "drill powered" nibblers, $50 or less, very mixed reviews on Amazon. A friend had a metal shop and told me that air-powered sheet metal shears were a pain because their speed and power changes as you trigger and release the throttle. I wonder if nibbler would be the same, namely electric better.
Mex, I feel your pain... Brand new 1971 Dodge Van, the one we wanted didn't come with A/C so we got it anyway and I installed an A/C kit. One of the first steps was to cut a hole my head could fit in. Right out of the stamped sheet metal dash panel. I borrowed chassis punches in a few different sizes, and for that big cutout I punched the corners and maybe one of the tight corner turns. About six punches, then connected the dots using a saber saw with a metal cutting blade and a cardboard cover over its shoe so it wasn't metal-against-metal. What a harrowing experience! Luckily it fit.
I thought I'd seen a "tin snips" with double blades, that removes a ribbon of material so it doesn't get trapped like most will on a long cut. I don't know what to call them and that didn't contribute to my NOT being able to find an example.
Dusty_R
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
I have the drill motor run Bad Dog Nibbler, it also came with a vice to hold it to your work bench.
I've used it some.

Dusty
Naio
Explorer II
Nov 20, 2015
Those drill attachments are cool -- I had no idea they existed -- but for $50 plus whatever it takes to get it to Mex, surely he could just hire someone lpcal to cut the holes? Or is there nobody around who does that kind of stuff competently?

When I wanted to install a custom switch, somebody suggested I try a car stereo shop. Apparently they do a lot of that

I'm not very picky about looks, tho. I'd probably just use a drill and a hacksaw blade and trust the switch flange to cover most of any ugliness. Maybe I should butt out :).