Michael Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I just found this yesterday at a garage sale for $40. Had to undo the lags holding it to the bench with slipjoint pliers, no wrenches left in this garage! So far I've been playing like a kid with those fancy scrapbook scissors, cutting shapes, trying different gages of sheet, this thing makes scrapers out of trashed sawblades like nobodies business. From the interwebs I get its the smallest Beverly Shear, a B1 and the product specs say 14 gage mild, 18 gage stainless, but can I cut bar stock with this? The blades should be hi carbon, can a shear handle hot work? I do have a couple of sheet metal projects in the pipeline, and the B1 doesn't take up much space. I'm wondering is there a blacksmithing application for this tool(Latch plates maybe?) and any advice on how not to mess it up? I've seen one or two at the flea market that were abused into boat anchors and left to rust. Thanks, Michael-loving a cool new/old tool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWHII Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 WOW! $40.00 is a great deal. I have one and use it for all types of work. Some might cringe when they hear this but I have used mine for hot cutting like in the Dave Manzer DVD for making feathers. Works great! The hot steel is not on the tempered blades long enough to get it that hot and I just cool it with water if I am doing alot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosterob Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Do not cut anything hard or anything round. It will likely chip the blades. That was a great deal. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Hey Michael. Have you seen the strap hinges where the sides have been cut to scroll out and make for a little fancier look? This tool would be great for that!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLD Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 flower blanks and shovel blanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhblacksmith Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I just found this yesterday at a garage sale for $40.its the smallest Beverly Shear, a B1 Fantastic bargain!!! They sell for $536 new. I have both an SS3 and a B3 Beverly that I've had for almost 30 years. That B1 will be real handy for cutting out patterns that you can use with hot work or for trimming light hinges-H, H&L, butterfly, cockshead, etc., for cutting circles to use as drip pans under candle cups, for cutting out parts for forged roses or other flowers, and any of a million other uses you will discover over time. According to Beverly, your shear has a capacity of 14 ga. mild steel or 18 ga. stainless. Once you get used to feeding it, you can do some really complicated curves. As to cutting bar stock, unless you have some 18 ga. square bar, don't do it. You risk seriously nicking the blades. I would also stick to using it cold. For one thing, it's pretty hard to follow lines drawn on hot steel anyway and for another, you risk ruining the blades. Random cooling with cold water leaves you with an unknown temper and replacement blades are not cheap. If you need more capacity, look for a bigger shear or if you just want to lop off hot steel, there are other, better choices for shears. Factory sharpening will run about $40 and new blades are just north of $100. They are difficult to properly sharpen yourself because of the compound curve that makes them work so well. There are a couple set screws on the left side of the base that determine blade clearance and these need to be set properly for the tool to work as designed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 Thanks for all the info on the shear use. Now I can add sheet steel to the list of scrap that catches my eye. Hmm..hinges... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Beloved of Armourmakers! (though the B2 is a better match to their gauges of steel). I've been coveting a B3 for years now! and find my B1 quite useful to boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopshopchopper Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Great deal I wish mine was the real deal Beverly Shear . I found sharpening the blades easy on my belt sander, 2 sides per blade to concern yourself with, one flat, and one you rock on the belt. Jelious!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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