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Cutting scissors cricket. Universal scissors for metal - nozzle for a cricket drill. Basic Sheet Metal Cutting Methods

The need to cut any metal products is faced by almost every specialist involved in construction and repair work. Many professionals use a variety of tools for high-quality metal cutting, starting with a milling cutter, grinder and ending with hand scissors. But what to do if right moment there are no such tools at hand, and cutting metal is extremely necessary. This process can be carried out using a conventional electric drill. Now in hardware stores for these purposes you can buy specialized nozzles for a drill for cutting metal.

What is a metal cutting drill bit?

By their own design features the nozzle resembles a punch or a cotter pin, which, due to the matrix, breaks through the metal with a large number of repeated movements. After that, strips of the required shape are formed in the workpiece. In the process of cutting, the effect on the metal occurs in a pointwise manner, which helps to preserve the integrity of the products as much as possible. A similar nozzle repeats the work.

With the help of a nozzle, metal can be processed with the following parameters:

  • aluminum with a thickness of products on average up to 2 mm;
  • stainless steel up to 0.8 mm;
  • brass, copper, galvanized steel, iron sheets, zinc with a thickness of up to 1.5 mm.

It should be remembered that the softer the material being processed, the greater its thickness can be.

Features of the nozzle

Before direct work, the nozzle is securely fixed in the drill (chuck), which drives it. The principle of operation is almost completely identical to the process of operation of electromechanical scissors, which perform straight and curly cuts without much difficulty. To ensure a high quality cut, you should correctly select the number of revolutions. For example, for a metal of small thickness, from 2700 to 3000 thousand revolutions is well suited. You should start cutting only when the drill has gained the required level of speed.

Typical types of nozzles for a drill

On the market you can find several models of nozzles for metal drills:

  • nozzle "cricket"(acts like a nibbler) - used for thin cutting sheet metal. Consists of two special cutting heads. The cricket nozzle is often indispensable in the implementation roofing works. For example, such as cutting metal tiles or corrugated board. Using such a nozzle allows you not to deform the material and get even and beautiful cuts. In contrast to cutting with a grinder, the nozzle is able to perform sharper, burr-free edges. With the help of the "cricket" you can also drill neat round holes large diameters, including artistic cuts. If necessary, work can be carried out on horizontal and vertical surfaces. As an additional criterion, the cricket tip helps to process the edges with special abrasive materials during the cut. The price of such an instrument is often in the range of 4000-7000 rubles;

  • nozzle "steel beaver"- for the most part, this type of nozzle is used when cutting profiled and flat sheets of metal. According to its principle of operation, the cutting mechanism of the nozzle itself very much resembles the processing of material using punching shears or a “guillotine”. In addition, using the “steel beaver” nozzle, protective layers are not burned during operation. metal coating sheets and thus no sparks are generated. The use of a nozzle eliminates the risk of possible chips or deformation of the cut edges. This attachment can cut polycarbonate, aluminum or plastic. Distinctive characteristics of the nozzle are: rotation of the drill from 1500 to 3000 thousand revolutions, the minimum cut radius is 12 mm, the possibility of changing the cutting angle of 360 degrees, the processed thickness of materials - copper and aluminum 2 mm, stainless steel - no more than 1.2 mm , ordinary steel - up to 1.8 mm.

There are a large number of options for the execution of this tool from different manufacturers, however, the principle of operation is the same for all.

The main advantages of nozzles

As a rule, experts identify several main advantageous differences between nozzles for a drill and a grinder:

  • tool versatility;
  • ease of maintenance and use;
  • high quality cut;
  • good performance;
  • the ability to make holes of any shape;
  • cost savings due to the absence of the need for additional Supplies in work;
  • ease of use of the equipment, achieved by equipping with a special handle;
  • the ability to work from a pneumatic or electric drill.

It should also not be forgotten that certain skills are required to ensure a high quality cut. Of course, unlike household or professional tools complex configuration, you will not have to adapt for a long time to work with the nozzle. Any beginner will be able to cut through up to 10 meters of metal in 1 hour. The attachment can be attached to any type of modern drill.

In general, you should not think that a drill attachment for cutting metal will be a full-fledged replacement for several tools at the same time. Unfortunately, the power of this equipment is not always enough in comparison with professional-level electric scissors. In addition, the supported thickness of 1.5 mm does not make it possible to carry out any really serious work.

If you do not take into account the degree of productivity of the tool, then the nozzle can be completely purchased to perform not too resource-intensive work. In such situations, the nozzle will significantly save a lot of time and money.

How to cut metal at home? In 90% of cases with hand scissors ( we are talking about thin metal sheet). The method is simple, inexpensive, but not without drawbacks.

  • At a minimum, it is quite difficult to make a long cut without burrs.
  • Since the scissors are located along the sheet, the cut planes need to be spread up and down. This makes it difficult to work, not to mention the fact that the edges subsequently need to be aligned.
  • If the workpiece is not flat, but with stiffeners (for example, corrugated board, or a figured "under the tiles" roof covering), it is almost impossible to cut with ordinary metal scissors.

It takes a lot of physical effort. If you need to cut several meters at a time, then you get a good workout, like in a gym. Often, a grinder with a cutting disc is used for such work.

It turns out quickly, relatively evenly and not at all hard physically. However, the edges require post-treatment and the metal at the edge is exposed to undesirable thermal stress.

If you work with sheets of profiled metal-plastic "tiles", then the protective layer at the cut point burns out and loses its aesthetic appeal.

progressive way- electric scissors for metal with a vertical arrangement of blades. However, this is an expensive tool that is rarely used (how often do you re-roof?). Therefore, there are more practical devices on sale: a nozzle for a drill for cutting metal.

In fact, this is a gearbox that converts the rotational movement of the spindle into an oscillatory one. Of course, in terms of its characteristics, the device is inferior to full-fledged electric scissors.

However, the drill attachment is inexpensive, and besides, you do not buy a ready-made tool (scissors with a motor), which most of the time gathers dust on the shelf. There is a drill in almost every home, if necessary, it can be easily turned into a progressive cutter.

Varieties of nozzles

The classic nozzle on the drill - scissors for metal. Second name: "beaver".

There are a great many tools that can be useful in everyday life or for infrequent custom work. In order to buy, for example, the so-called "grinder", you will need a considerable amount, and in the meantime the tool will lie somewhere in the garage or workshop idle, being unclaimed.

Not every tool designed for a particular job, a person is able to buy: it will take a lot of money and extra storage space. And, as practice shows, there is simply no point in this. But there is still a way out of this situation.

Nozzles are for the following works:

  • Drilling at an angle;
  • grinding;
  • Polishing;
  • Sharpening nozzles;
  • Drilling;
  • For cutting metal.

As can be seen from what has been said, having only one drill and a few nozzles, you can thus replace a lot of expensive tools and not waste your money.

Basic Sheet Metal Cutting Methods

Sooner or later, every homeowner, not to mention specialists, cuts sheet metal in one scale or another. Ever since labor lessons at school, and for many after, in production, such tools for cutting metal are known:

But time passes, and technological progress does not stand still. Mankind has invented a simple and inexpensive cutting tool that works in tandem with an electric drill called "metal nibbling scissors". This equipment is simple, constructive and very convenient in operation.

When there is one in the tool arsenal of any man, as well as an electric drill, then there are no problems with cutting a metal sheet and cannot be.

And if there is none on the farm, then it can be purchased at the nearest household or construction market.

Good alternative to Bulgarian

This drill attachment has been helping out craftsmen for many years now. Such a tool is called nibbling scissors.

Easily punches a track about 3 mm thick in metal. This cutting method gives the desired cleanliness of the cut, and there is no particular need for further cleaning of the cut.

Thicknesses of materials that the scissors can cut:

  • Copper and brass - 1.5 mm;
  • Aluminum - 2 mm;
  • Stainless steel - 0.8 mm.

For metalworking

These nozzles are scissors simple and original design, where the rotational movement of the drill chuck is converted into reciprocating.

Nibblers "Cricket"

The technical capabilities of the "Cricket" nozzle allow cutting metal and plastics. Moreover, the material can be cut both sheet and profile. Two cutting heads of the cutting nozzle on the drill allow cutting materials certain thickness (specified maximum thickness):

  1. For aluminum - 2 mm;
  2. For steel - 1.5 mm;
  3. For stainless steel - 1.2 mm;
  4. For plastic - 2 mm.

Additional characteristics:

  • Electric drill power from 420 W;
  • Turnovers - from 3000 rpm;
  • Cutting radius (minimum) - 12 mm;
  • The cutting direction is unlimited, hence 360 ​​degrees.

Application area:

  1. Mounting;
  2. Roofing works;
  3. Production of gutters;
  4. Disassembly of various structures;
  5. Body work;
  6. Curly (decorative) cutting.

When working with nibblers, the drill does not require any adjustments and special skills and knowledge.

The Cricket tool for cutting metal is very maneuverable, and its capabilities as a cutting tool are very wide.

As for cutting with a grinder, there are a number of disadvantages here, compared with cutting shears for metal. The nozzle on the drill has a number of significant advantages:

  • The material does not overheat during cutting, which is especially valuable when cutting metal tiles.
  • The maneuverability of nibblers for a drill is much higher than that of a well-known grinder.
  • Higher cutting speed.
  • A cleaner saw cut that rarely requires further plumbing.
  • When working with nibblers for a drill, there are no jamming of the tool from distortions, which very often happens when working with a grinder, hence the almost complete absence of injuries.
  • The zinc and paint-and-lacquer coating of the material does not burn, which helps prevent premature corrosion and, which is very important, maintain the guarantee for the material.
  • When working with the Cricket tool for cutting metal, there are no sparks, unlike a grinder, which not only protects the material from burning, but also eliminates the possibility of injury to the eyes of the worker.

Nozzle-scissors "Cricket" has a number of analogues, for example:

  1. "Beaver";
  2. "Steel Beaver";
  3. Scissor attachment NP 1.8 SPARKY;
  4. EDMA NIBBLEX;
  5. Malco turboShear TS1 - can be used with a drill and for installation on a screwdriver.

All of the listed nozzles have some differences on technical specifications and prices. The most expensive nozzle is Malco turboShear TS1. It has a slightly different design and is made in the USA, not China.

It should be noted that the normal operation of these devices can only be ensured when the passport speed of the drill is more than 2700 rpm.

Nozzle for screwdriver

If an electric drill is not available, then a screwdriver can also perform the same functions.

There is, however, a difference:

  • The revolutions of a screwdriver are lower than those of a drill. Low speed and, accordingly, the power of the power tool will not allow cutting metal with the same productivity, especially if it is closer to 2 mm in thickness.
  • Lack of inertia. After the user releases the button, the chuck immediately stops rotating. In terms of safety, this is even somewhat better, as well as in the case of a figured cut.
  • Small size and light weight compared to a drill. This allows you to do all sorts of "pirouettes" when cutting, more easily than with a drill.
  • Screwdrivers run on batteries, therefore, its operation is autonomous, and the power cord does not interfere with normal operation.
  • There is no adjustment of the rotation speed of the cartridge.

It is quite clear that a screwdriver can also be used instead of a drill with a Cricket type nozzle.

For cutting metal tiles and more

This nozzle is a real find for cutting material such as metal tiles.

Advantages:

  1. Does not damage the material and coating;
  2. Easily follows the contour of the material profile;
  3. Able to make cuts of varying complexity.

"Cricket" is a real find for both the handicraftsman and the professional. It can make an internal cut and can work both horizontally and vertically.

The nozzle for cutting metal tiles allows you to cut metal tiles and corrugated board, with which this tool does an excellent job. After all, it is well known that it is difficult to work by making cuts in these materials with another tool, and the Cricket copes with this task perfectly: cleanly, quickly and without errors.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

  • Surface cleanliness is better than that of a grinder.
  • This device can make holes ("windows") of any complexity in the metal.
  • The tool is easy to use and maintain, takes up little storage space.
  • Low price.
  • You can cut both metal and plastic, as well as carbonate of a certain thickness, stated in the instructions for use of this equipment.
  • The possibility of using the device in places where there is no power supply is compensated by the presence of a cordless drill. In addition, it can be successfully used in damp rooms, where using an electric drill from the mains is life-threatening.
  • The device is multifunctional.
  • The low weight of the device is also an undeniable advantage.

Of the shortcomings, there is the only and main one: the device must be held with both hands, which is not always convenient and safe when working at height.

In conclusion, I would like to summarize what has been said. Any user, both beginner and experienced, who does not want to overpay for a fabulously expensive tool, can always buy an inexpensive analogue that will pay for itself very quickly by performing the same functions.

Very often it turns out that suddenly there was a need to use a cutting tool, and it was not included in the plans to buy something expensive, which is not known when it will be needed (if it is needed at all).

In this case, it is cutting shears for metal that will come in very handy.

That's why cutting attachment found on a drill wide application in many branches of human activity: repair, assembly, dismantling and restoration.

Good luck with your purchase and enjoy working with the Cricket attachment for metal cutting!

Not always found in foliage finishing material required size and shape. During repair, installation of a fence made of profiled metal sheet, device roofing it is required to quickly cut this or that workpiece, adjust the standard element to the actual dimensions. For cutting, you can use an angle grinder, scissors, other cutting tool. If it is not at hand or you are limited in funds, then there is an alternative - a cricket drill attachment.

Short description

This is a removable mechanism that is mounted on a standard electric hand drill chuck. It is designed for cutting flat and corrugated metal sheets:

  • Composite aluminum sheet up to 2 mm thick
  • Galvanized profiled sheet up to 0.8 mm thick
  • Copper, brass up to 1.5 mm thick

By appearance the nozzle on the drill cricket resembles a steel blank cylindrical shape, with "fingers" sticking out in both directions. A cylindrical blank is a body through which torque is transmitted from a drill to two cutting surfaces. "Fingers" are paired matrices that are in direct contact with the metal workpiece. The tool comes with a plastic threaded handle-holder, which is screwed onto one of the paired cutting surfaces.

In addition, a spare die and punch, as well as a hex wrench, are supplied with the nozzle.




Principle of operation

The cricket drill attachment does not cut metal like an angle grinder, but cuts it due to the frequent translational movements of the matrix. The working unit converts the torque from the drill rotor. The tool cannot run at low speeds. To obtain a quality cut, it must maintain a rotation speed of 2700-3000 rpm. If this parameter is not met, then the metal around the cut bends, the quality of the finished product deteriorates.

Application area

The nozzle is widely used for cutting thin sheet metal. Its design is specially designed to perform both straight and curved cuts. With a certain work skill, you can perform figured sawing along a complex path.

Unlike an angle grinder or metal shears, the cricket is able to cut from the center of the workpiece without creating through cuts.

The cutting attachment is especially in demand for roofing and fence installation. It's all about the material. A profiled sheet is mainly used, which is perfectly cut with this tool.




Positive properties

The cricket drill attachment is widespread due to a number of positive properties. It outperforms some power tools in terms of performance.

  • Mobility. She has small size, much less than that of the grinder. The nozzle is easy to install and remove from the drill, which facilitates the work
  • High autonomy. The "cricket" has two full-fledged cutting dies. If one fails, you can use the other. In addition, a third spare is included with the tool.
  • Maintainability. There are no complex mechanisms in its design, there is practically nothing to break. The cutting part is supplied as a ready-made block, which is easily installed on site.
  • Work speed. Numerous tests show that the cutting performance and sawing speed of the attachment is far superior to that of an angle grinder. Metal shears don't compare at all
  • Cutting quality. According to this indicator, the "dragonfly" has no competitors. Due to the translational movements of the matrix, the edge of the metal in the area of ​​​​the cut remains flat. It has no burrs. The metal does not heat up, the protective polymer coating of the profiled sheet does not burn. Zinc protection is not destroyed. While in the process of sawing with a grinder, the edges of the sheet are charred, burrs remain on them
  • No collateral damage. Working with a grinder is associated with the formation of sparks that scatter over a considerable distance. If a galvanized profiled sheet is processed, then sparks burn out the protective coating. During operation, the metal will be covered with brown dots of rust. Sawing with a dragonfly nozzle takes place in the complete absence of sparks. No rust issues
  • Ergonomics. Handle - holder makes working with the tool convenient and safe

Negative properties

There are not so many of them, they do not have a critical impact on the choice of tool:

  • Grip type limitation. He only has two hands. Therefore, it is impossible to carry out operations on inclined planes, where it is necessary to keep
  • metal thickness. Attachment designed for cutting thin metal

Rules for safe work

Practically do not differ from standard measures when working with a saw tool:

  1. Do not cut while holding the tool with one hand. This may cause it to rebound;
  2. Before starting work, the rigidity of the fastening of the handle-holder is checked. To do this, it rotates clockwise until it fails.
  3. It is allowed to work only in protective glasses and gloves;
  4. It is recommended to cut the sheet away from you, and not towards you;
  5. It is forbidden to work with a defective tool. These include: a loose drill chuck, a worn sawing die, a loose handle holder

Firms - manufacturers

Products of different brands are similar to each other. The main difference is in the thickness of the sheet that a particular model can cut. The price directly depends on this.

On the Russian market Here are a few noteworthy companies:

  • Encore
  • Corvette
  • Sparky

The use of scissor attachments for a drill greatly facilitates roofing, installation of a metal fence, and other manipulations with sheet material. A convenient combination with a hand drill allows you to reduce the cost of purchasing expensive specialized tools. Ready product comes out neat and of good quality.

Need to cut sheet metal up to 1.6 mm thick? The nozzle on the drill "Cricket" will solve the problem at no additional cost! What else can your drill do? You'll find out in just a few minutes!

The most common nozzles and their descriptions

There are several hundred different nozzles and they all differ from one another in some way. It is simply impossible to cover the entire range of goods, so let's start from the most "running" models that can replace your expensive tools. With their help, you can perform basic construction and finishing work, process a variety of surfaces and materials. We do not take the drill and the "blade" into account, only additional accessories. Let's consider in more detail.

  1. Crowns. Unique nozzles for making holes in wood. An indispensable thing in the manufacture of furniture. They have different diameters and heights. As a result of the work, you get perfectly even holes in any wood. The cost of such crowns is from 40 to 700 rubles per piece (depending on the manufacturer, steel grade, height and other parameters).
  2. Nozzle "screwdriver". There is nothing easier than making a conventional screwdriver. It is enough to buy inexpensive cross-shaped and straight tips and you immediately have 2 types of screwdrivers. More precisely - 3 types, since there is also a percussion (perforating function on a drill).
  3. Metal brush-circle. Used for metal work (mainly), it is a metal bristle that is located around the shaft, and it, in turn, is mounted in the cartridge. This shape is made for maximum balance of the nozzle. When you turn on the device, the brush has a very high speed and removes all rust and bumps in seconds!
  4. Corolla. For mixing building mixtures, a specific nozzle is used in the form of a long screw and a large holder, which is inserted into the tool chuck. With something like this you can mix an excellent tile adhesive in a few minutes, mortar for laying bricks and whatever you want. Yes, even mix the paint with a solvent! The quality of the mixture is much better than in the case of manual preparation of the mixture.

These nozzles are known to almost every builder and have gained immense popularity not only in the construction industry, but also in many household tasks.

Rarely used nozzles

  1. Jigsaw. Incredibly, a high-quality jigsaw can be obtained from an ordinary tool with a rotating chuck. This is an adapter nozzle that converts the revolutions of the cartridge into useful energy that launches a complex saw swing mechanism. As a result, you can process thick boards, and make the most complex patterns.
  2. Flexible shaft for drill or flexible drill. In fact, this is a standard nozzle, only it does not break when bent, but deforms without loss of strength. There is an opportunity to get to the most hard-to-reach places, for example, in the head of a car, when installing industrial transformers, and the like.
  3. Angle nozzle for a drill. There are several versions of this thing, but the most popular is the grinder. You get a high quality tool for metal cutting, polishing and grinding.
  4. "Cricket". Another rare attachment that allows you to make scissors for metal. Works with material up to 1.6 mm thick, which is simply amazing. You can cut any pattern you need - it is very easy and convenient to control the direction of the cut.

These nozzles are not always relevant, sometimes it's easier to buy the appropriate device and not mess with them. If it is necessary to perform one-time work- it makes sense to purchase an inexpensive adapter or device to solve a particular problem.

Grinding and polishing

In a separate group it is necessary to take out a huge number of nozzles intended for polishing, cleaning, grinding the surface. With their help, you can not only remove paint or bumps from metal or wood, but even remove a few millimeters of material, increase its strength and much more! Let's consider some of them.

  1. Grinding nozzle for a drill. Designed to remove rust on metal, eliminate visible product defects, sharpen steel cuts and many other functions. Nozzles for a drill for grinding are rods on which abrasive nozzles are located. When the chuck is rotated, it accelerates to the same speed and is used as a grinding wheel. The abrasive can have different grain sizes.
  2. Nozzle for a drill for grinding wood. A similar item as for metal processing, but instead of an abrasive, a polyurethane, rubber, mineral (etc.) circle is installed, with which you can make the surface extremely smooth and without chips or needles.
  3. Nozzle on a drill for polishing. This is a specific tool, the base of which is made of rubber and foam rubber., an emery wheel can be attached to them. This design ensures maximum processing quality. Nothing like a polishing machine. The only drawback is that the drill is much heavier, so it will be a little uncomfortable to hold it.
  4. Grinding sun. Another unusual fitting. It is a circle from which strips of sandpaper come out like rays. When the chuck rotates, the paper petals accelerate to high speed and grind any metal in a few seconds! The nozzle is short-lived, enough for a couple of hours of work, but very effective!

We have reviewed the most useful nozzles. Now the choice is yours: use these devices or buy expensive devices.