Makita JN1601 16 Gauge Nibbler

Holy cow... I'm banging myself in the forehead.... years ago I built two steel buildings, one that is mine (2000 SF) and then helped a friend build his (3500 SF). For those two buildings we wrestled with hand shears, bled and cursed considerably- had blisters, ragged edges... lots of "close enough" cuts. This summer, another friend decided he wanted to build a shop as well, and I can't say "no" to a good project. BUT in the ebbs and flows of economic standing, I was flush enough to buy one of these for this project. Cuts like crazy, easy to control, makes beautiful curves, whacks through ribbed building sheets, and makes you look like a pro doing it. This is essential equipment. If I had known how nice this tool was, I'd have jumped through hoops to have one for the first two buildings. The only warning I can offer is be careful of the curf, this leaves "fingernail trimings" of very sharp steel in its wake, a roofing magnet made quick work of picking those up.

I bought this to cut out the vents in my skirting on my double wide mobile. To my surprise when I received the skirting the sheets were a bit larger than I had planed. Well as luck would have it the tool arrived the day before. ( shipped on time ) I made the first rip cut of 16 feet and by the time I got to the end of the sheet I was a pro. I ended up cutting over 270 feet with this tool with no problems. Material I was cutting, ( Champion's ultra panels). It cut like butter. Cutting out the vents took a little planning. I used a step bit in all four corners inserted the tool and was the easiest to do with the skirting installed. I do recommend that you cut every thing in the same area as there was a lot of little half moon chips.. picked those up with a roller magnet. Did the whole project in about 6 hours. I looked at all the nibblers on line and for the price of this tool I am very impressed. great amperage, speed of cutting, cuts clean and very accurate. I have no issues. Wished that I would have purchased years ago. No more saw blades or cut off wheels for me. 5 star is my rating. Note: I have been in the trades for over 35 years and love a great tool!

Awesome

Made ""EASY"" and accurate cuts of rib roofing cut for Hip installation. Now a precision laser straight cut, I don't know,, but within 1/8 - 3/16 over 40" it's killer. I suspect that if I needed to do a "EXACTO" cut on a bias ( across the ribs) it would take a straight rigid guide. But if you are not intimidated by the reciprocating action a free-hand chalk line straight cut is "Nearly" as doable as with a saber saw. (jig saw) for those under 60.

Simply a fabulous tool. I wanted to install 18-gauge stainless steel back and side splash panels in my 5th wheel, and since 5th wheels and travel trailers are far from perfectly square, I had to scribe the bottom of the side splash to match the slightly dipping countertop. This nibbler did a better job than I ever imagined possible. Five Stars to Makita easy!

This is a very nice and well made tool. Perhaps I've just never learned the knack, but I find the thing a bit of a beast. It just takes off and is very hard to control. I've tried clamping guides in place and a few other methods to try and get greater control of the cuts, but nothing will allow me to get really precise cuts. It does chew through work with great efficiency, so if you just need rough cuts this tool will probably work perfectly for you. If you need controlled cuts with any degree of precision, keep looking. In spite of the difficulty of control, I still find myself picking up this tool in many situations. It's useful in enough situations that you are unlikely to regret the purchase.

I bought this to cut sheet metal siding/trim as we are putting "max-rib" (R-panel) 29 gauge siding/roofing on a large outbuilding. This nibbler is very easy to use and you will get the hang of it quickly. I advise to pull up on the tool when you are cutting, this helps with vibration/flapping of the panel. You will learn to quickly follow a line, it makes a great cut. Well worth the $270 I paid for it to make good, quick cuts.

On occasion I work with sheet metal and there's no easy way to make a cut with a hack saw ,hand shears or saber saw. The nibbler makes a once aggravating job easy. The on off switch is a slider that dips so It will take me some getting use to but after I cut a few feet of metal that aggravation will pass. I have no idea how you could hurt yourself with a nibbler so a simple on/off switch would have worked. u-tube has a few videos in English with cutting demonstrations and on die and punch break down so don't sweat the Japanese operating instructions. The tool operates simple and is simple to disassemble to replace the punch and die head at some point down the cutting road. Had a problem with this nibbler on the second use. Apparently there was a machining burr left in the punch die housing or metal fell from some where inside the tool that locked up the punch die . The punch pin die became locked in the housing . I requested a return on the tool but since I was in the middle of a project I managed to get the housing off the punch pin and clean out the burr that locked up the tool . I re lubricated and the tool runs fine now . If anyone else had this same trouble how about a posting .

Absolutely amazing! Makes any DIY/metal cuts easy. This will cause quite a bit of 3/4 round metal shavings. I used a magnet to clean up the metal shavings. No problem, 5-stars! Yes, recommended.

I cannot use the nibbler as it has a 2 pin Spanish type plug sealed on. If I cut it off it will void my warranty. I have complained but awaiting a reply.

Très pratique, bonne machine.

Muy buen producto, llegó antes de la fecha, cumple perfectamente con su función

Ich bin kein Profi, aber habe dem Gartenhaus und der Terrasse ein neues Metalldach bzw. Metallverkleidung verpasst. Das Gerät ist leicht einhändig zu habhaben, vom Geräusch her draußen gut erträglich und die Schnittqualität des 0,2mm Bleches sehr gut. Dickere Metalle sind noch nicht von mir geschnitten worden. Der Knabber kann auch mit engen Kurven gut zurechtkommen und kommt auch mit 90° Winkel im Schnittweg hervorragend zurecht. Dachfirst, Ortgang und Wellblechplatten bildeten kein Problem. Auch die entsstehenden Schnittgrate sind so gut, dass eine Nachbehandlung nicht notwendig war. Schon jetzt hat sich der Kauf gegenüber einer Fremdbeauftragung schon mehr als voll amortisiert.