[carsonw8]

Hello,

Does anyone use electric sheers for cutting out old stuff when installing new coils or air handlers etc.?

 

[chandler48]

Nothing is barred in demo. https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-4-A...ivel-Head-Electric-Metal-Shear-3650/300676586 are lesser expensive shears and should help with it.

 

[Calson]

There are aso metal sheers that attach to a standard cordless drill for use. Like this one from Malco which specializes in tools for the HVAC industry.


https://www.amazon.com/Malco-TSMD-D...=metal+shears+cordless&qid=1585435483&sr=8-26

 

[carsonw8]

Yes thanks. I saw them while researching. Wondering why my mentor had me use manual sheers when I could have used electric/cordless much much faster I thought. Especially in a hot attic. I will suggest it to him and buy the attachment myself for my Dewalt Drill. TIA

 

[user_12345a]

^It's good to learn how to do things by hand first.

Cutting sheet metal well with snips is an acquired skill.

 

[roughneck]

Being new to the trade, focus on doing things right rather then fast.
Tin knocking is becoming a lost art in these days of flex-o-sourus systems.

 

[user_12345a]

From my "diy" experience, tin work is very hard to do well without practice.

 

[roughneck]

From my "diy" experience, tin work is very hard to do well without practice.

Absolutely, it’s a trade within a trade really.
Needs practice, experience, and the right tools.
I’ve worked with guys that could craft duct out of the back of a van. Really good tradesman.
My grandfather was a master at it. I have all his tools but unfortunately I’m all thumbs when it comes to making metal.
I’ll stick with service for the sake of my customers.

 

[chandler48]

A friend owns an HVAC company that evolved from his father's sheet metal company. He has one older guy that does all the sheet metal fitting from scratch, basically. Custom stuff is no problem for him. BUT, what will happen to that art once he leaves/dies off? It is truly an art that has been circumvented by newer technology.

 

[user_12345a]

Flex duct is not used for general hvac in residential up here in canada - sheet metal ductwork is still used in all the new houses.

 

[roughneck]

Flex duct is not used for general hvac in residential up here in canada - sheet metal ductwork is still used in all the new houses.

As it should be. Down here in the states anyone with a few dollar bills in their pocket can go buy some flex, call themselves an installer and scab in a house.
Then the homeowner is left to figure out a fix for their 5 ton air conditioner with a single 12” flex return.

 

[ChuckF.]

HF has those pneumatic nibblers for surprisingly cheap. I've always wanted to get one just to fool with. Anyone have one?

There's also the Rockwell compound circular saw ~3", the one with two counter-rotating carbide blades. They claim you can cut sheet metal with it. No kickback.