The decision of the appropriate metal-cutting tool might determine your workflow, your level of finish, and how much time you waste preparing each piece. When working with non-ferrous metals such as gold, silver, and copper, accuracy and control are essential. An excellent shear or cutter does not slice through metal. It can help maintain the same angles, generate shapes, and guard against aerial warpage. Some questions to consider before deciding include: the thickness of your sheets, the angles you most frequently cut, and the size of the bench you have. Another thing to consider is the blade's lifespan and how the tool would make both short and long cuts easier. In this guide, you will be taken through four Pepetools options to help you decide which to use in your work. As the breakdown progresses, you will witness comparisons of these machines and how each is suited to different needs, using Pepe Tools to understand how they work and their strengths.
Pepetools 4" guillotine shear - USA made
The Pepetools 4-inch Guillotine Shear is designed for jewelers who require cleaner cuts on smaller, predictable sheet metal. Although it appears small, it has sufficient power to cut gold, silver, and copper steadily up to 20 gauge. The blades of the A2 tool steel are sharpened to last longer and aligned so they always act the same way with each pull of the handle. The latest model has an all-black finish, giving it a clean appearance without requiring realignment of all mechanical components, making it easier to use. The first distinction is that it has a side-operated handle, which provides better control over the cutting motion. Another advantage of this design is that it is comfortable when making repeated cuts. The miter table is supplied with a standard allowing you to switch between straight lines and angled blanks without additional measuring equipment. With thin strips, the shears handle them well, only slightly twisting on the thinnest ones during the scissors' action.
- Extensively sharpened tool steel blades.
- Accurate length measurement incorporated in the tool.
- Installation of bench mounting holes.
- Cuts up to 20-gauge gold, silver, and copper.
- Steel and aluminum machine parts.
- Miter table 0deg, 15deg, 30deg and 45deg.
- Safety cut Side-operation handle.
Pepetools 6-inch Designer Series Guillotine Shear
The 6-inch Designer Series Guillotine shear is the next level of shear, allowing the user to cover a greater area of the sheet without compromising precision. This is a tool designed for a jeweler who cuts larger blanks or makes bracelets, cuffs, and repeated strips. This model has a perpendicular handle, unlike many horizontal cutters. This provides you with a stable downward control, and you use less force each time you cut. The feeder table is 10 x 7 and doubles as a miter box, with angle markings laser-etched that allow one to align the metal perfectly. The 6.25" blades can pass through complete 6" sheets without any resistance. All blades undergo a heat-treatment program to improve their longevity and resistance to edge loss. The adjustable material stop provides reliable repeat cuts, which is helpful when you have runs of the same pieces to make. Although it can support heavier gauges than the 4" version, it does not occupy a large area on the bench.
- Blade made of hardened tool steel, 6" wide.
- Treated to 45-50HRC to be tough.
- Customizable repeat backstop.
- Has been used for non-ferrous sheets up to 16 gauge (soft).
- The base is compact and made of solid carbon steel.
- Miter table cut Angle cut laser-engraved.
- Black oxide finish to ensure improved surface protection.
Pepetools 2-premium Disc cutting kit
The Premium Disc Cutting Kit is designed for jewelers who require clean, round shapes across a wide range of sizes. The kit is also characterized by its accuracy and solid layout, with punches and dies cut to high precision. The cut angle per punch is 7 degrees, resulting in stress reduction and fully developed, smooth edges with minimal burrs. Punch clearance is designed so that the punch fully enters the die and clears the material, preventing jamming. The material hold-down that is built in prevents the sheet from moving during a strike, and therefore, your shapes are sharp. The adjusting knob can remain out of the way of mallets, hammers, or presses. The HDPE organizational base keeps everything organized and accessible throughout your work. The sizes range from minor 1/8-inch cuts to large 1-inch discs, both with inch and metric markings. When cutting gold, silver, brass, copper, or other similar metals, you can be sure this kit will work, provided your sheet has been annealed.
- Smooth operation, Punch-clearing design.
- 7 ° angled punches into clean edges.
- Well-fixed hold-down plate to avoid movement.
- Height adjustment knob, Low-profile.
- HDPE bottom to store in an organized manner.
- Inch sizes, millimeter sizes, and Laser-cut sizes.
- Processes non-ferrous metals of annealed type.
Pepetools is easier to select metal-cutting tools once you have an idea of how each model functions, the materials it works with, and the level of control it provides over extended periods. The 4" Guillotine Shear is smaller and more suitable for more miniature sheets and smaller pieces. In contrast, the Designer Series model is larger and can accommodate larger pieces and more consistent repeat cuts. The Premium Disc Cutting Kit meets the needs of anyone who wants to make round shapes of varying sizes; the cuts are always uniform and predictable. Extra accessories provide the added control to your configuration by enhancing its alignment and support. Every solution is crafted with care, moulded for regular use, and relied on by numerous jewelers. Using Pepe Tools, you can have a better idea of the way these cutting tools fit into your bench and what kind of work you perform. After you compare the features and how each device responds to your metal, you will be able to select the tool that makes the process smooth and produces the sheet or disc shapes you desire with minimal effort.
