Metal shear attachments are appealing to some because they are powered by an ordinary drill, which you probably already own, saving money and space in your tool bag.
That’s not to say that corded or cordless metal shears aren’t good, because they are. But unless you’re using a shear very often, it might not make sense to buy a standalone hand-held power metal shear, which can cost quite a lot.
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Dewalt’s corded 14-gauge shear is priced at $278 at Amazon (as of the time of this posting), and even more elsewhere.
David sent in a tip (thanks!) about Dewalt’s new shear attachment, model DWASHRIR, that works with your cordless drill or impact driver.
It’s not the only impact-rated metal shear available – the Malco TSCM corrugated metal Turbo Shear ($100 via Amazon) is said to work with impact drivers. That’s the only other impact-compatible shear attachment I could find, and since it works with corrugated metal it doesn’t have much cutting capacity (30-24 mild steel gauge).
But, although this isn’t the first impact-compatible shear attachment, it’s one of the least expensive I’ve seen, and it seems to have decent cutting capacity.
The new Dewalt shear attachment can handle “up to 18 gauge material.” Hopefully that’s 18 gauge steel – we’re checking with Dewalt to see if they could clarify this.
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Besides sheet metal and corrugated sheet metal, it can cut ducting, asphalt shingles, steel mesh, vinyl siding, wire, plastic materials, cardboard, and rubber.
The cutter can be rotated a full 360° for maneuverability. You see where the brace attaches to the cutter, right near the hex shank? That’s where it can be rotated.
The shear attachment is compatible with “most 18V and 20V Max impact driver and drill tool brands.” Even though it seems to be impact rated, that doesn’t mean you cannot or should not use it with your drill/driver.
Price: $50
ETA: TBA
Buy Now(via Amazon)
First Thoughts
In the first draft of this post, I wrote that this is a new Dewalt metal-cutting shear. But it’s not. Well, it is, but it’s not just a metal shear. It’s described as a multi-purpose shear. The retailer’s site, where the info was first posted, calls this an 18 gauge shear attachment. So I went back and tool out the “metal” part of each specific Dewalt shear attachment mention.
What I’m hoping is that this new shear attachment can handle 18 gauge sheet metal. That would sure be nice, seeing as how the Malco TSHD heavy-duty TurboShear is priced at $80 at Amazon. Dewalt’s is so far looking to be priced at $50 – which is more than just a little less expensive.
Compared to other shear attachments, this one has a much smaller-looking tool clamp. The tool clamp holds the cutting attachment steady. Otherwise, what’s to stop the cutter head from rotating along with the drill chuck.
This looks to be an interesting new drill and impact driver attachment from Dewalt. It’s hot on the heels of Dewalt’s new right angle flex shaft extension, which a lot of readers are excited about.
So what do you think about this new shear attachment? Hooray, or nay?
Jerry
Ive had a Malco shear on my Amazon wish list for a while now. I have an air shear which I use in the shop, but don’t use one away from the shop enough to justify a corded one, so I was considering Malco’s drill powered one. The only thing holding me back, was that it either required two hands to operate, or you had to buy a separate bracket to anchor it to the drill, so it wouldn’t spin around, bringing the price point up to just where I really couldn’t justify it.
However, for $50 with the bracket included, just got one sold. Unless it seems flimsy or poorly made, I will be getting one. I can’t begin to think how much better it would have been a couple weeks ago. I was helping a friend install aluminum fascia, and each piece had to be trimmed lengthwise. We either had to run to my shop, cut what we thought we needed, then come back to do one more piece, or cut that last piece by hand. Having something like this that we could have slapped on one of our drills would have been very welcome.
Nathan
again – color me intrigued. I don’t know I need one but I’ll give it a hard look.
I have to ask – does it look like the shear blades are user replaceable – and perhaps re-setable? If I got one I’d run it with my impactor so I’d be curious as to compare how it deals between a drill and an impactor in operation.
In theory the impactor would cut harder stuff – easily. hard to say though.
fred
As you say – this should be appealing for those who occasionally need a light-duty power shears. I think The Malco variants also come in versions that are specialized for cutting asphalt shingles, cement backer-board, slate, fiber-cement siding and corrugated sheet metal. Malco also sells a light-duty shear attachment (TS1) that I’ve seen in Home Depot for about $52:
http://malcoproducts.com/product/roofing-siding-gutter/fiber-cement-backerboard/power-assisted-cutters-shears
We had bought one to try to use it on corrugated roof decking – but found it lacking (too slow and awkward if not impossible to use) for our application. We normally would use a Evolution or Morse 9 inch metal cutting circular saw.
BTW – many Malco tools are made in the USA – but some of the Malco hand cutters are made by Edma in France.
Some years ago – removal of old heating oil storage tanks became part of our business – and we were not surprised that power shears were not up to the task of cutting up these tanks. Not wanting to use a cutting torch or abrasive cutting disk (sparks and oil don’t mix) we ended up buying some big Kett AN series Nibblers
JoeM
I want one and I don’t know why. Maybe for those handful of times when I want to cut holes in a computer case. Dunno. Just know I want one.
fred
Even though this style (geometry) of shear head produces less distortion than a hand snips – you still need a clear starting point to initiate a cut. For doing cutouts – a nibbler is often better.
Depending on the gauge and material of the computer case – you might be OK with a hand nibbler. Bessey makes one (D24-SB) which they claim can cut sheet metal up to 1.2mm (18ga.). It costs about $30 at Toolbarn. Amazon sells several different brands including one from Edma. Despite the bad review on Amazon – the Edma is a decent tool – but you do need to take it slow, hold to a line and break off the curled-up cutaway material as you go along. The Edma claims it can be used on 20ga (0.9mm) material.
http://www.amazon.com/Edma-0101-Monodex-Nibbler-Shears/dp/B000X2ENOO/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1443035476&sr=1-1&keywords=edma+hand+nibbler
Nate 818
Try a grenlee punch
fred
Sorry for the added post – but the Bessey D23 – 20ga nibbler is also about the same price on Amazon
BK
The best deal I’ve found on power metal shears is at Harbor Freight – $30 for a pretty nice corded version – eats metal roofing, easy to angle, and reliably straight cuts. About half the price for a dedicated version of the tool vs. a clip-on with questionable performance. Is there a contest here?
Nathan
I was going to be snide but decided against it.
it’s not cordless – this is.
I admit I’d like to see a hand on review of it’s work, but I’d buy this before I bought a corded device from HF
now if I needed something for every day real work – I’d have a corded device and it would have a name brand on it.
BK
I only needed it for two projects, so it was perfect. I still have it for a little hvac work I need to do next week.
I admit, it’s probably on the junk end of the performance spectrum, but for what little I I’ll ever use it for, if it breaks after the next use, I don’t break a sweat when tossing it.
On the other hand, and this is something I should have made clear in my last comment (sorry), I am not a professional, and I don’t expect to ever be doing very much metal work. In fact, I’d hire someone if needed in most cases I could think of. So, for my limited needs, the junk store brand is ok with me. If I were a pro, to which I suppose this blog is geared more towards, I would certainly get a better, more reliable, brand, but corded, I think.
Bruce
I’ve used the Malco for years doing HVAC duct work. It’s great. A quick hole with a step bit, then cut away. Not as good as a milwaukee double shear but not having to lug yet another tool in from the truck is worth a lot.
Nate 818
I think cutting rounds into plenums is way better with malcos version than with doublecuts. I just won’t use it if I have to trim a box for a linear register or something that ends up exposed. That wavy edge is acceptable often but not always.
fred
For cutting in round takeoffs into ductwork/plenums – we used Malco circle cutters (come in 2 sizes) available at Home Depot, Amazon etc.:
http://www.amazon.com/Malco-2-Inch-12-Inch-Cutter-Accessory/dp/B000289542
Brandon
This is perfect, having to cut custom flashings for chase tops on site. Saves so much time and my hands. Great find!
Nate 818
Way too much money. I use the malco navigator alot. That’s a good tool to have for $50.
Sean
This is awesome! The Malco Tuboshears have been on my wishlist for a long time, and these are $30 cheaper. That at least increases the possibility I would end up buying one of these type of devices.
I’ve never had power shears, but they are a relatively expensive power tool, so I do wonder how these drill attachment ones (even with their positive reviews) actually compare to dedicated ones.
Moze
What happened to the post about the DeWalt chainsaw?
Joel
What do you mean? It’s right here: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-40v-cordless-chainsaw/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
petter
will it fit milwaukee m12 fuel impact driver?
Stuart
The shear attachment is compatible with “most 18V and 20V Max impact driver and drill tool brands.”
With compact battery? No way.
With XC battery? Possibly, but probably not. That’s the only way it would work, and I don’t have high confident that it would be compatible. The attachment needs to have an area at the bottom of the tool to clip on to and brace itself against.
Harry
Check your local metal roof dealer. I bought shears for my drill for about $70.00. They work great. I used them to put rolled sheet metal on my kitchen walls as a copper toned back splash. Looks pretty good with dark cabinets.
BC
Stuart, do you have any info about these shears? Discontinued? I can’t find them anywhere!
Stuart
I’ll see what I can dig up, and will ask around, but I don’t expect anyone to get back to me so quickly before Christmas or the New Year.
Chris
Will they work with milwaukee M18 drills or not???????
Stuart
“Compatible with most 18V-20V impact driver and drills.”
Daniel Besharah
I bought them from canadian tire for 100.00$ cnd..and they dont work on any of my older dewalt drill.. so very poorly advertised on the packagings.. they do not work with all dewalt drills..and home depot online sells em for 65.00$ delivered to my door.. im still fighting with C.T.C to get my money back or at least a store credit..