Chicago Pneumatic Air Shear 15 CFM 18 Ga

Chicago Pneumatic Air Shear

This Chicago Pneumatic air shear is a pneumatic cutting tool designed for professional body shops, sheet metal fabricators, HVAC contractors and machine shops. It handles cold rolled steel, aluminum, tin and plastics up to 20-gauge thickness with a heavy-duty reciprocating blade. The tool operates at 2400 strokes per minute for fast, clean cuts in production environments. Its aluminum housing and trigger throttle provide durable, controlled operation for daily industrial use.

Air supply requirements and workflow integration

The shear requires a 90 psi compressed air supply with a minimum 3/8 inch hose and a 1/4 inch NPT air inlet fitting. At full load it draws 15.0 CFM, while the average consumption over a 15-second run is 3.75 CFM, so the compressor and plumbing must sustain peak flow without pressure drop. The 9-inch overall length and compact pistol-grip design allow access in tight panels and around structural braces. A trigger throttle gives instant on-off control, freeing the operator from foot-pedal setups and reducing cycle time on repetitive cuts.

Thermals noise and power draw in normal use

As an air-driven tool, the shear produces no electrical heat and places no load on shop wiring; all power comes from the compressed air system. The reciprocating mechanism generates typical pneumatic tool noise, so hearing protection is recommended for extended operation. Vibration is transmitted through the aluminum housing, but the short 9-inch body limits leverage amplification during long cuts. Average air consumption of 3.75 CFM over short cycles keeps compressor duty cycle moderate in typical sheet metal fabrication workflows.