I've just bought an Am Tech Air Nibbler (16 guage) off eBay. It looks OK but doesn't nibble very well. I've tried 18 gauge steel and it just jams after one or two bites and is hardly any better on 1.5mm aluminium. I have the pressure turned up on the compressor and it makes the right power tool noises but doesn't cut through metal very well. Am I expecting too much or is it a bit duff?

I have one of those and have used it to nibble 0.9mm stainless it was slow but worked well. It flies through 1.2mm aluminium though.

Sounds like you have a duff one, mine will chase through 18g as fast as I can aim it, same with ally if parrafin is used as lubricant.

I prefer air shears myself. Netto/aldi/Lidl often have them on offer, best keep an eye out.

Cheers

Rich

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Originally posted by smart51
I've just bought an Am Tech Air Nibbler (16 guage) off eBay. It looks OK but doesn't nibble very well. I've tried 18 gauge steel and it just jams after one or two bites and is hardly any better on 1.5mm aluminium. I have the pressure turned up on the compressor and it makes the right power tool noises but doesn't cut through metal very well. Am I expecting too much or is it a bit duff?

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Try putting some air tool oil through it first. Mine was exactly the same, it now flies though 1mm ali like it's made of cheese .

I use inline oilers, they are much easier than faffing about putting oil in the tool each time you sue it.

HTH

Needs oil in it, and wiping with a paraffin rag.


Mine sucks air quicker than my compressor can make it...


But really handy.

Mine's brilliant but the razor sharp moon shaped swarf is a night mare for tyres and shoes etc!

This shows how fast you should be able to go (about 30 seconds in)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_-qq_R9X5U&NR=1

Mine goes through 1.2mm steel without a problem. I do find the air sheers are better for long straight cuts.

(and the half moons from the nibbler really are sharp and get everywhere!)

Ive just bought a cheap (£17) air sheer from newark, it struggled but did make it thru 2mm ally and steel, but made light work of 1mm steel. (spec is for 1.2mm) so cant really complain.
Nibbler/sheers sound good for curves etc, but I'l probly use a jigsaw for that.

mine would go through that like butter. you've got a duff one mate.

I bought one of the drill powered nibblers in the yellow box (can't remember name) that some company sells at most of the kit car shows. It's an excellent bit of kit, I specifically bought it because it will munch through 16 gauge steel without flinching.