Setting clearance on electric metal shears

[Martin W]

I have a old heavy duty Fein hand held Electric shears. These are fairly big with a large D handle. They will shear up to 10 gauge steel . What is the proper clearance For the cutting die for different thickness sheet metal? I have only ever used light shears for 18 to 20 gauge. That I put a piece of paper for a feeler gauge.
I was thinking maybe a .016 feeler gauge for .070 thick steel? Am I in the ball park? I don’t want to break something
Cheers
Martin

 

[Mini Cooper S]

I can't really help with your question, but you might try looking up the manual for that piece of equipment on line.

Richard

 

[Martin W]

Thanks
I have tried but can’t find much on this. Fein doesn’t seem to support older tools.
Cheers
Martin

 

[benmychree]

generally, clearance for shearing is 5 % of the material thickness, or 10 % for punch and die

 

[tcarrington]

Based on my limited experience with roll forming equipment, benmychree's advise sounds like good overall rule.
We ran lighter gauge material in a production environment for roofing products which would subsequently be roll formed or further prrocessed.
The gap was set at 0.005 to 0.008 inches. That matches pretty close to the 5 percent given above.
Good luck!