Can I do this with a nibbler?

Question

I have never used a nibbler, or even seen one used, but I think it might be just the tool for this job. I am using some aluminum j-channel, satin anodized, to finish the top edge of some wall panelling. The customer wants the j-channel bent, not mitered, at outside corners, since the mitered corners are too sharp. The long (wall) leg of the channel is about 1 1/4 inch high, the top is about

1/2 inch, and the front vertical part is about 1/2 inch. I need to remove a section of the wall leg, about 3 inches long, so I can use a hand notcher I bought to cut out a "vee" in the top leg and then make the bend. The aluminum is about 1/16 inch thick, and the hand notcher can just make the cut I need, but I am having trouble removing that 3 inch back section. I've tried making a couple of cuts with Wiss-type hand shears and bending up the back leg til it breaks off, but it distorts the channel and stills needs filing to remove 100% of the leg. Would an air or electric nibbler be able to cut right up to the under side of the top leg? I suspect that there would be some interference with the front leg, since the channel is only about 3/8 inch deep, front to back. I've also seen a hand powered nibbler in pictures, but would prefer a power tool. Any suggestions? Gary

Karl Townsend · Accepted Answer

...My nibbler will only come within 3/4" of an edge like you describe. The die plate gets in the way.If I understand you correctly, a radial arm saw would make quick work of this. AL cuts easily with a carbide tip blade.Karl

rniemi · Answer

Nibblers make a big mess- and they wont cut right up against the edge, as noted. What you need to do is saw it- I used to do a lot of work with this stuff, and i used to use an XACTO miter box with minature backsaw. The miter box is just a little piece of aluminum channel with cuts in it, and the saw has very fine teeth- perfect for aluminum.

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the miter box, 3 different size saw blades, and big red handles to hold em, about 15 bucks for the lot. Easy to saw right up to a sharp pencil line, then you might want to file it a bit with a smooth file to get rid of any burr. Sometimes I also use a bandsaw for this- its quicker, but requires a more steady hand.

DanG · Answer

Is this trim for 1/8 or 1/4"? If for 1/4, I think you can make all the cuts with Midwest or Malco brand aviation snips. They have a longer, thinner nose. Lay out the intended corner, mark

45's both front and back. On the back, cut a bit more than the 45's so they will not interfere. Make a good clean cut on the front face. You should be able to bend the piece and bet a nice clean 90 with the outside edge intact.

Experiment a bit with felt tip markers to touch up any exposed aluminum color. A black Sharpie is probably right.

(top posted for your convenience) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Keep the whole world singing . . . . DanG (remove the sevens) snipped-for-privacy@7cox.net

Bob Engelhardt · Answer

Another possibility is an *aluminum* cut-off blade in an angle grinder.   E.g., McMaster-Carr #4535A53.  Cheap if you have the angle grinder. Does take a steady hand.  Bob

Can I do this with a nibbler?

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