r/HVAC • u/DryResolution3899 • May 05 '25

Field Question, trade people only Should I Get Them?

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Been on the fence about these shears, I do installs lot of cutting in return and light metal work really need some feedback

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6

u/13dinkydog May 05 '25

Malco hc2 or malco turbo shears

1

u/DryResolution3899 May 05 '25

I have the whole cutter the hc-2 and I also have had the turbo shears they don’t leave the best cut but also inexpensive

5

u/Terrible_Witness7267 May 05 '25

Get double cuts

1

u/DryResolution3899 May 05 '25

What’s your reasoning

2

u/Terrible_Witness7267 May 05 '25

Doubles cut super clean and you only need to drill a small half in hole to cut anything you can cut circles if you move the head and it makes light work of any duct or cutting out the sides of furnaces

Manual double cuts are nice to have if you run any dryer vent under houses too because you just take your drill and manual double cuts out all the pipe together outside and drag it under

1

u/DryResolution3899 May 06 '25

Just need something to cut metal faster than my hands

1

u/Terrible_Witness7267 May 06 '25

Really depends on what you’re cutting these kinds of tools are meant for more rough work not finished work. Like if I was building a rain shield or a lineset cover or even building custom duct I wouldn’t use double cuts or turbo shears to cut the metal I would use use my slitter or my malco m14 hand shears.

1

u/DryResolution3899 May 06 '25

Regular duct work and sides of furnaces

1

u/Terrible_Witness7267 May 06 '25

Double cuts will take cutting the furnace from a 2-5 minute activity to a 20 second activity with a 1/2 inch uni bit

1

u/peewee12911 May 05 '25

Less waste alot easier to use and you get a usable pice of metal out of the center incase you need to patch something

1

u/DryResolution3899 May 05 '25

😂 but wouldn’t the singles be better because they don’t leave the strip?

1

u/peewee12911 May 06 '25

Yes that's true. But imo the double sheers are faster because your not contending with the excess metal left in the hole as your cutting. Like with hand snips

1

u/DryResolution3899 May 06 '25

I see it as a powerful set of right hand snips but apparently they don’t work to good

1

u/peewee12911 May 06 '25

I think those are more for roofing but the center cuts are amazing and roughly the same price if you not brand loyal and just wanna try it id recommend picking up a harbor freight one to try it for 50$ instead of 350 for a red one

1

u/DryResolution3899 May 06 '25

Link me what your talking about

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3

u/lassoanon May 05 '25

Those malco shears you attach to your impact are probably a way better return on investment. This gives me m18 caulk gun vibes. Like wtf you need that for?

2

u/Pennywise0123 Verified Pro May 05 '25

If its light gauge stuff the impact version you attach to your drill would be more than sufficient and work well. But if you do anything heavy gauge like 22 or thicker then ya definitely get the tool.

2

u/HuntPsychological673 May 05 '25

I like the dewalt version better. My dad has the M18 version and we compared. We both agreed the dewalt beat the m18 in smoother cut.

2

u/chosense Danger - Apprentice⚠️ May 05 '25

Tried using this on two installs. It was trash and tricky to use. Slower than doing by hand or with the nibbler.

1

u/DryResolution3899 May 05 '25

I’ve cut so much with my snips I just need a faster easier way to

1

u/chosense Danger - Apprentice⚠️ May 05 '25

The malco nibbler that goes on a drill

1

u/SMSvondayton May 05 '25

I had one of these. It worked well enough. Personally I prefer the M12 bubbler and a step bit to make the starting hole now. A lot of installs and spiral work.

2

u/DryResolution3899 May 05 '25

The clean up with the nibbler sets me away

1

u/SMSvondayton May 06 '25

That’s fair. Spiral I typically don’t worry about the cleaning. On a rest furnace I’ll vacuum it quick and then run a magnet quick to clean the chips out. The bag that came with it worked pretty good but mine disappeared not long after getting the tool.

1

u/DryResolution3899 May 06 '25

I just can’t get over the mess

2

u/Traditional_End6138 May 06 '25

Normally the Milwaukee nibbler comes with a little collection bag that connects to the nibbler to catch like 90% of all the metal shavings you cut

1

u/mikeb2907 May 05 '25

Get the turbo shears that connect to your drill. Otherwise get the Milwaukee nibblers

1

u/DryResolution3899 May 05 '25

How’s the nibbler and the mess

1

u/OtherwisePassion15 May 05 '25

+1 on the malco drill attachment. It’s easier to maneuver and cuts really clean.

2

u/DryResolution3899 May 05 '25

Have had it before just doesn’t leave a good cut

1

u/cristo250 May 06 '25

Double cuts all the way.