jannica
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Post by jannica on Jul 6, 2014 12:52:52 GMT -8
I looked through this section, and can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for, so I'm posting a new thread. Apologies if this is already covered somewhere. I'm very excited because I just ordered all new, pre-polished aluminum skin from Hemet Valley RV for my 1961 Shasta Compact, and it is scheduled to arrive this Thursday! (For those who are interested, for the total re-skin for my Compact, and pre-polished ($1 per sq ft extra, plus shipping to Texas, it was a little over $1600) I have some hand held aluminum shears, but I can't imagine trying to trim around the entire edge with those. I just watched Larry's video on using a router to trim around the windows, great idea! Would you guys recommend I use it for the whole trailer? I saw the comments around the mess it makes with metal shavings, and since my camper is in my driveway, I'm not too sure I want that kind of mess everywhere. What other ideas do you guys have for trimming the aluminum? I found these pneumatic aluminum shears online at Northern Tool for $69. Would something like this work? www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200305421_200305421?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Air%20Tools%20%2B%20Compressors-_-Air%20Nibblers-_-157807&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=157807&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=157807&gclid=CKLSp5HIsb8CFSJo7AodZUkA5Q |
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jannica
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Post by jannica on Jul 6, 2014 12:58:26 GMT -8
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Jul 6, 2014 13:18:10 GMT -8
Great thread, Jannica. I can't help you but I'm interested in the answers from those who can!
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Post by bigbill on Jul 6, 2014 17:24:37 GMT -8
I am not acquainted with that brand but they are similar to the battery powered ones I use, I personally like electric better than air powered shears. I think they are easier to control, but they must have variable speed control. Years ago my first set were constant speed, either on or off and I cut a lot of metal with them but after using variable speed shears i would never go back.
I you use air powered the hose becomes a pain in the rear. My opinion.
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Jul 6, 2014 21:07:35 GMT -8
I really don't see the need for a lot of special tools, to build on trailer.
If I wanted to splurge and spend some money on a extra tool, I would buy a Harbor Frieght inline air shear #98833. But tools like this require a large CFM air pressure/ air volume supply to work correctly.
For 99% of my sheet metal cutting work I use only two tools, and I use them "every day". Buy good quality USA made, Wiss Brand aircraft snips. This is the same old company that make the high quality scissors. You need two, one has green handles, and one has red handles. This will allow you to make both right, or left hand cuts. The Yellow handles are made to cut straight, and are worthless for our type of work.
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Post by vikx on Jul 6, 2014 23:11:25 GMT -8
I like hand sheers myself. More control. Have two air sheers that are difficult to use with aluminum. For some reason, the aluminum seems to gum up the works... Here's mine:  Mobile has a nice pair from Home Depot, changeable blades. |
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jannica
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Post by jannica on Jul 7, 2014 6:41:36 GMT -8
I really don't see the need for a lot of special tools, to build on trailer. If I wanted to splurge and spend some money on a extra tool, I would buy a Harbor Frieght inline air shear #98833. But tools like this require a large CFM air pressure/ air volume supply to work correctly. For 99% of my sheet metal cutting work I use only two tools, and I use them "every day". Buy good quality USA made, Wiss Brand aircraft snips. This is the same old company that make the high quality scissors. You need two, one has green handles, and one has red handles. This will allow you to make both right, or left hand cuts. The Yellow handles are made to cut straight, and are worthless for our type of work. So, I actually already have these Wiss aircraft snips: www.homedepot.com/p/Wiss-Multi-Purpose-Snips-MPC3S/100065525I bought the multi-purpose ones, but it sounds like I should have gotten the green and red ones instead of the yellow. I haven't been happy with the way it cuts if I'm trying to trim the aluminum and it's close to something. If it's laying on the ground, it works better, but it just takes me longer than I would like. That's one reason why I'm still interested in the electric shears. |
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jannica
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Post by jannica on Jul 7, 2014 6:45:21 GMT -8
I am not acquainted with that brand but they are similar to the battery powered ones I use, I personally like electric better than air powered shears. I think they are easier to control, but they must have variable speed control. Years ago my first set were constant speed, either on or off and I cut a lot of metal with them but after using variable speed shears i would never go back. I you use air powered the hose becomes a pain in the rear. My opinion. I agree, I don't think the pneumatic shears would be ideal. I'm still tempted to try out the electric shears I saw at Northern Tool. I hate to spend another $80 on a tool I'll probably never use again, but I feel like if it makes cutting the siding much easier and faster, it might be worth it to me. Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jul 7, 2014 7:48:17 GMT -8
I really don't see the need for a lot of special tools, to build on trailer. If I wanted to splurge and spend some money on a extra tool, I would buy a Harbor Frieght inline air shear #98833. But tools like this require a large CFM air pressure/ air volume supply to work correctly. For 99% of my sheet metal cutting work I use only two tools, and I use them "every day". Buy good quality USA made, Wiss Brand aircraft snips. This is the same old company that make the high quality scissors. You need two, one has green handles, and one has red handles. This will allow you to make both right, or left hand cuts. The Yellow handles are made to cut straight, and are worthless for our type of work. So, I actually already have these Wiss aircraft snips: www.homedepot.com/p/Wiss-Multi-Purpose-Snips-MPC3S/100065525I bought the multi-purpose ones, but it sounds like I should have gotten the green and red ones instead of the yellow. I haven't been happy with the way it cuts if I'm trying to trim the aluminum and it's close to something. If it's laying on the ground, it works better, but it just takes me longer than I would like. That's one reason why I'm still interested in the electric shears. Listen to the OLD GUY! LOL
Yellow (Straight cut) = worthless!
The Green and Red (Left and Right cut) are what you want for our kind of work. After you start using them, you will quickly understand how they cut, and why you need both. They ROCK!
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Post by bigbill on Jul 7, 2014 12:13:08 GMT -8
I have electric/battery, two sets of Wiss hand shears left,right, & straight, plus two different types of "stove pipe shears, plus a plasma cutter and they all have a place and a purpose. It all depends on what you are doing and how hard you want to work. Years ago I built stuff with just stove pipe shears.
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jannica
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Post by jannica on Jul 8, 2014 5:46:40 GMT -8
I don't know what stove pipe shears are but they sound big and bulky. haha
I ended up buying the electric shears, I think the idea of a new, fun tool got the best of me. haha I tried them on my stainless steel backsplash which is thicker than the aluminum and they worked great! Wish I would have had them when I did all the initial cuts on the stainless steel, would have saved me some time and hand pain. haha I will test them out on the old skin soon to see how they do and keep you all posted. I've still got the Wiss shears as a back up.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 8, 2014 11:24:18 GMT -8
There are only three reasons to but a tool: To make job easier, faster, or better. Any of these are good reasons to buy but two or more makes it an important investment.  |
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jannica
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Post by jannica on Jul 8, 2014 11:56:53 GMT -8
I just called Hemet to get an update on the arrival of my new skin since I hadn't heard from anyone. They gave me the shipping company's number, so I called them. They already transferred the shipment to another company in Texas, so I got transferred to two more people before finally reaching someone in the Houston office. She was extremely rude and everyone else I spoke to had been so nice. I told her I wanted to schedule the delivery to ensure I was home when it arrived since a signature is required and I wanted to inspect everything. I told her it was being delivered to my house and she got all annoyed and said they didn't tell her, and how did I plan to get the boxes off the truck? Geez. What are they even paying these people for if they won't even unload two 100 pound boxes off their truck and expect me to do it??? Annoying.  I hope it actually gets delivered as promised. I'm starting to wonder... |
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Jul 8, 2014 16:08:54 GMT -8
I just called Hemet to get an update on the arrival of my new skin since I hadn't heard from anyone. They gave me the shipping company's number, so I called them. They already transferred the shipment to another company in Texas, so I got transferred to two more people before finally reaching someone in the Houston office. She was extremely rude and everyone else I spoke to had been so nice. I told her I wanted to schedule the delivery to ensure I was home when it arrived since a signature is required and I wanted to inspect everything. I told her it was being delivered to my house and she got all annoyed and said they didn't tell her, and how did I plan to get the boxes off the truck? Geez. What are they even paying these people for if they won't even unload two 100 pound boxes off their truck and expect me to do it??? Annoying. I hope it actually gets delivered as promised. I'm starting to wonder... It sounds like you have not had any previous experience with freight deliveries by any of the LTL (less than trailer load) freight companies. Let me take some of the surprise out of it. They are NOT now, and have NEVER been "customer friendly", so lets get that out of the way first. Shipments to a residential address are a total PITA for their drivers, the street parking and turn around area is bad for their trucks and trailers, kids are in the streets so it's more dangerous for all involved. Then the problems compound because you have ordered a LARGE box, it's not that heavy, but it's very bulky and hard to handle. All of their stops made earlier in the day "had fork lifts" at the loading gate of the truck to help the driver unload. The best you can offer is to help him slide it off of the truck and hope he does not drop it. The driver, and the freight company will have no idea (or care) when he will be able to deliver your shipment (just my opinion).
The best you can do is hope you have not ruffled their feathers too much and they set a 55 gallon drum of oil (about 450 pounds) on top of your box before it gets delivered to you. Please understand after the shipment was picked up from Hemet Valley, your dealing with independent people that do not care about your shipment. Best to just go with the flow at this point.
Sorry if this is your first experience with LTL shipments.
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jannica
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Post by jannica on Jul 8, 2014 17:11:27 GMT -8
Hahahaha thanks for the brutally honest explanation. I wish I would have known this before so I could mentally prepare. We'll see how it goes but I'm hoping that this is my first and last freight shipment to my house. |
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I hope it actually gets delivered as promised. I'm starting to wonder...