Anyone else out there using a Malco channel shear? It is the shiznit for cutting 3 5/8″ studs and channel (my 110# gf was my cutwoman on Saturday and she had no problems with it except for a couple of 20ga studs I had… http://mackzully.smugmug.com/gallery/5294438_pvsai#322857783_hLuTH-A-LB), but for the life of me I can’t get it to cut 1 5/8″ stock. It crushes the outer edge (furthest from the handle pivot) of the stock… I called Malco today and they think it’s a bad set of blades, but I’m curious if anyone else out there has the same issue, as I think it more a design problem than a sharpness problem. I’m cutting 25GA stock, so it’s not like I’m pushing the tool…
On the plus side, Malco’s customer service was great. I called them, the rep didn’t couldn’t answer my question as her tech was at lunch, so she took my number and called me back shortly thereafter. They initally thought it was swarf stuck in the die, but I told them how I had inspected and cleaned it, and she immediately told me that they’d just send me out a new set of dies for it! No arguing or dickering! Yay! Hopefully that is the problem… If not, snips aren’t bad, but the shear is sooo much nicer.
Z
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Greetings mack,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
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I always thought I was the only one in the world to use the shear. I love it. Everyone else uses a metal cut off saw. I get a lot of looks when I break it out. I don't think I have ever used it for anything other than 3-1/2" I have had to clean it and lube it frequently though. I still think it is a huge timesaver. I have had mine for at least ten years now and it seems to work better as you "break it in".
"It is what it is."
I think it might have discovered it through one of your posts! It rocks, and coupled with my laser rangefinder, it's really quick to measure up a wall of studs (floors aren't level) and cut them. Perhaps it's the crappy 25ga HomeyD steel studs I used, my regular supply house was closed by the time I noticed I was low on studs. I'm going to try 20ga 1 5/8" studs and see if they cut better.Z