(Facom Tools Ltd)
Hand and power tools 111
Figure 3.43 Air power chisel and accessories (Black and Decker Ltd)
112 Repair of Vehicle Bodies
(14 SWG) or 3 mm (10 SWG) aluminium, which
more than covers the automobile requirements.
The shear is used extensively in the cutting of
light materials for the construction of new vehicles,
but also plays an important role in the
removal of damaged sections in crash repairs, as
it leaves a nice neat cut and there is no risk of
flame damage as with the more traditional methods
of oxy-acetylene cutting.
Pneumatic metal shear
This tool uses the same action as snips, having
two fixed blades and one blade moving vertically
between them (Figure 3.46). This central movable
blade cuts out a thin ribbon of metal which coils
and is discarded. Cutting can be started from the
edge of the panel, or from any point on the panel
surface using a predrilled hole large enough to
insert the central cutting blade. Radiuses up to
in (200 mm) can be cut on material up to 1.2 mm
(18 gauge). Care must be taken not to damage the
panel surface by causing buckling during the
cutting action.
Figure 3.45 Air shears (Desoutter Automotive Ltd)
Figure 3.46 Pneumatic metal shear (Desoutter
Automotive Ltd)
Figure 3.44 Metal cutting shears (Black and
Decker Ltd)
Metal cutting nibbler
This is a portable nibbler which uses a punch and
die (Figure 3.47). The actual cutting is done by the
edge of the punch which is reciprocated at high
speed, leaving a slot or channel in the metal.
Cutting can be commenced from the panel edge, or
from a hole predrilled in the panel surface to allow
entry of the punch. Allowances must be made for
the width of the cut and, when accurate positioning
of the cut is essential, templates can be used as a
guide.
Hand and power tools 113
3.21 Power saw
This is a high-speed pneumatic tool using
interchangeable, reciprocating hacksaw blades
(Figure 3.48). It is able to cut from straight lines
to tight curves. Cutting can be started anywhere on
a panel without the need for pilot holes. Single- or
double-skinned panel assemblies can be easily cut
owing to the short blade stroke. The tool can be used
to cut a wide variety of materials including lightgauge
steel, aluminium, reinforced glass fibre, wood
and hardboard. Its fine cut is ideally suited for panel
replacement where joints have to be cut and welded.
Another power saw is the rotary or circular saw
(Figure 3.49).
Figure 3.47 Metal cutting nibbler (Desoutter
Automotive Ltd)
Figure 3.48 Power saw (Desoutter Automotive Ltd)
Figure 3.49 Circular metal cutting saw (Desoutter
Automotive Ltd)
Figure 3.50 General duty drill (Black and Decker Ltd)
3.22 Power drills
Standard drills
There are two types of power drill used in the
bodyshop: the majority are usually electrically
driven and require a 13 A electrical power point
(Figure 3.50), while the others are air powered and
require a compressor and air points (Figure 3.51).
The most popular sizes in common use are the in
(6.3 mm) pistol drill, and the in and in (9.5 mm
and 12.6 mm) heavy-duty machines. Drills are used
mostly for drilling out spot welds along damaged
panels which need removing, and also for drilling
out broken rivets and bolts. As well as the standard
size drills there is a special drill called an angle
drill, which is extremely useful in bodywork as it
can be used in confined spaces and enables many
otherwise impossible drilling tasks to be carried
out (Figure 3.52).
114 Repair of Vehicle Bodies
Cordless drill
This uses an energy pack to supply the power, with
a fast charge facility for recharging from a mains
supply (Figure 3.53). It can be single speed or two
speed, and can drill up to 3 mm steel. When fitted
with a reversible adjustable clutch this tool can
be used as a power screwdriver, thus making it a
tremendously versatile piece of equipment, especially
in the body building industry.
