stomp shear vs. steeltrak wall cutter

[Signed Out]

In the process of researching stomp shears and whether or not our shop would benefit from one. Currently we have a steeltrak wall cutter which works great for coroplast, and sintra, but doesn't leave the nicest edge on dibond. It used to cut dibond better when it was new, but even after aligning and replacing cutting wheels it leaves a bit of a raised curled edge. We also have access to a big 10' hydraulic shear at a welding shop next door, where we cut our aluminum and more recently have been cutting a lot of our dibond on it too. However it isn't ours and access is somewhat limited, dirty, etc.

So a couple of questions: Does anybody prefer their wall cutter over a stomp shear for cutting dibond? Anybody have an idea of why our steeltrak might not be cutting as good a it should? Like said earlier we have gone through all alignments and replace the cutting wheels. I have tried talking to keencut's customer service, but guy was litterlay zero help, suggested talking to our dealer.. Talked with dealer and they said they can go through all the adjustments, make sure everything is square etc... IDK

So we are thinking about adding a 52" stomp shear to our shop, looking closely at the tennsmith. I would like to test one out before buying one, but there aren't many around. We would be looking to shear .040-.080 alum, 3mm and 6mm dibond, coroplast, and 3/16" polycarbonate. Can anybody with expierence using a stomp shear comment what they do and don't like about it.

Any info would be great.

Thanks,

 

[reQ]

Stomp shear all the way. Cuts everything that you listed without any problem. Always gives nice clean edge, which was the main reason to use it for dibond cutting. Hate to sand the edges lol.
Also, using stomp shear you are not loosing 1/8 of material every cut. Might not sound like a problem, but in some situations it is.

 

[Speedsterbeast]

I bought the Grizzly Tools 52" Stomp Shear.
It works great on dibond and coro, but I was at a friends printing shop last week and they have one of those flat steel-track cutters that uses regular razor blades. We ran it along a sheet of dibond two times and just snapped the edge clean. I wish I could redo the purchase and got a 100" one of these. They cost about the same, and can cut a full 8' sheet. AND take up much less space when not in use.

 

[reQ]

I bought the Grizzly Tools 52" Stomp Shear.
It works great on dibond and coro, but I was at a friends printing shop last week and they have one of those flat steel-track cutters that uses regular razor blades. We ran it along a sheet of dibond two times and just snapped the edge clean. I wish I could redo the purchase and got a 100" one of these. They cost about the same, and can cut a full 8' sheet. AND take up much less space when not in use.

True, but good luck scoring & snapping aluminum sheets

 

[Signed Out]

I bought the Grizzly Tools 52" Stomp Shear.
It works great on dibond and coro, but I was at a friends printing shop last week and they have one of those flat steel-track cutters that uses regular razor blades. We ran it along a sheet of dibond two times and just snapped the edge clean. I wish I could redo the purchase and got a 100" one of these. They cost about the same, and can cut a full 8' sheet. AND take up much less space when not in use.

We have thought about one of those as well, I think it's called keencut evolution. But I imagine it would take a lot longer to cut down an order of 50 signs with one of those vs a stomp shear. What do you think, having seen/used both?

HOw do you like the grizzly overall? I've been considering that model too, but it's rated for 18 ga. steel where the tennsmith is rated for 16ga. Have you sheared .080" on the grizzly? Does it shear well?

 

[signcrafters london]

Shear all the way.

 

[LarryB]

We have thought about one of those as well, I think it's called keencut evolution. But I imagine it would take a lot longer to cut down an order of 50 signs with one of those vs a stomp shear. What do you think, having seen/used both?

HOw do you like the grizzly overall? I've been considering that model too, but it's rated for 18 ga. steel where the tennsmith is rated for 16ga. Have you sheared .080" on the grizzly? Does it shear well?

I love my grizzly shear. You can shear .080" on it but need to really put a lot of weight on the foot pedal. Sometimes two people stepping on each side helps.

 

[Speedsterbeast]

We have thought about one of those as well, I think it's called keencut evolution. But I imagine it would take a lot longer to cut down an order of 50 signs with one of those vs a stomp shear. What do you think, having seen/used both?

HOw do you like the grizzly overall? I've been considering that model too, but it's rated for 18 ga. steel where the tennsmith is rated for 16ga. Have you sheared .080" on the grizzly? Does it shear well?

I have NOT tried cutting anything other than Dibond and Coro. As far as speed goes, I think both would be the same.

 

[rjssigns]

If you are doing production runs of ACM or sheet aluminum get a hydraulic shear with electric back gauge. They can be had cheap if one is patient enough.

A shop I weld for bought a 10' hydraulic shear with digital back gauge, a massive iron worker, and a brake for less than $10,000.00 delivered. Shear is good for 10ga stainless full width.

I realized it is more than a sign shop would need, but it proves the point that stuff can be had cheap. If you think I'm wrong go price a new iron worker.

 

[Kwiksigns]

We picked up a Pexto stomp shear years ago for less than $500 used. I've cut everything from dibond to 080.

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

I bought the Grizzly Tools 52" Stomp Shear.
It works great on dibond and coro, but I was at a friends printing shop last week and they have one of those flat steel-track cutters that uses regular razor blades. We ran it along a sheet of dibond two times and just snapped the edge clean. I wish I could redo the purchase and got a 100" one of these. They cost about the same, and can cut a full 8' sheet. AND take up much less space when not in use.

But can the steeltrack cut a .080 aluminum sheet?

 

[Speedsterbeast]

Cory, do you mind if I ask how much it set you back? I've always wanted one.

Thanks.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/52-Sheet-Metal-Shear/G5772

 

[GB2]

I have the Tennsmith 52" Shear and it is terrific at cutting all the things you mentioned. It is a substantial piece of equipment that requires some space though, and It weighs 600 lbs. I believe. I don't think I ever tried cutting coroplast on it and I don't think it would do too well on that, it would probably crush it. I would recommend the shear if you can accommodate it and the Tennsmith is a great choice.