By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Metal roofing shears cut long, straight lines through flat steel and aluminum panels faster than tin snips. Cordless double cut models such as the DeWalt DCS494B ($279 at Acme Tools on October 19, 2026) cut 14 gauge mild steel and remove a 7/32 inch strip so both edges stay flat, while a manual Swenson M42 cuts exposed-fastener panels up to 42 inches wide in 24 gauge. Shears do not follow the ribs of corrugated sheet: for that, Metal Sales and ABC Metal Roofing both point to a nibbler or a profile-following shear.
Nibbler vs shear in one line: buy a shear for straight cuts across flat panels, standing seam pans and trim, and a nibbler (for example Milwaukee’s 16 gauge M12 FUEL 2476-20) for corrugated and ribbed panels, curves and vent cutouts. Most residential panels are 24 to 29 gauge, so every powered tool below has capacity to spare; choose by panel profile and edge quality, not power.
What are metal roofing shears?
Metal roofing shears are powered or hand cutting tools that slice sheet metal between two or three blades, built for straight and gently curved cuts in flat panels. They come as cordless or corded electric shears, drill attachments such as Malco’s TurboShear TSCM, and manual bench shears such as Swenson’s M42, the hand-powered kind some buyers call roofing scissors. On a roof they handle standing seam pans, flat trim stock and field cuts in flat panels.
Most residential metal roofing is 24 to 29 gauge steel: Metal Sales sells Classic Rib in 29 and 26 gauge with 24 gauge optional, and Petersen’s ICC-ES report sets a 24 gauge minimum for its standing seam panels. Powered shears rated to 14 or 18 gauge clear those easily. Even when panels come off a portable metal roofing machine already cut to length, trim, flashing and field cuts still go through a shear. For a wider view of the tool choices, see our full guide to cutting metal roofing.
Which cutting tool for which cut: decision table
Find the cut you make most often, then buy for that row. Prices are bare-tool listings checked on October 19, 2026.
| If your cut is | Use | Example model and rating | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long straight cuts on flat panels, pans or trim, visible edge | Cordless double cut shear | DeWalt DCS494B: 14 ga mild steel, 16 ga stainless, 7/32 in strip; $279 | Distributor spec listings; Acme Tools price |
| Straight cuts, no scrap strip wanted, up to 18 ga | Cordless straight shear | Makita XSJ01Z: 18 ga mild steel, 20 ga stainless, 5.3 lb with battery; $459 | Acme Tools listing |
| Corrugated or ribbed panels, cutouts, curves | Nibbler | Milwaukee M12 FUEL 2476-20: 16 ga mild steel, 18 ga stainless, 12 ga aluminum, up to 7 ft per minute | Milwaukee |
| Occasional cross cuts in corrugated or box-rib, 30 to 24 ga | Drill-driven shear attachment | Malco TurboShear TSCM: 0.012 to 0.024 in mild steel, needs a 14.4 V minimum drill | Malco |
| Square cuts across full exposed-fastener panels on the ground, no power | Manual bench shear | Swenson M42: 42 in cut length, 24 ga maximum, 100 lb, profile-specific blades; $1,245 | Elite Metal Tools listing |
| Short notches and trim adjustments | Tin snips | Metal Sales lists tin snips for field cutting | Metal Sales PBR guide (4/24) |
Single cut vs double cut shears: what is the difference?
The core split among metal roofing shears is single cut versus double cut. A single cut shear, such as Makita’s XSJ01Z straight shear, runs one moving blade against one fixed blade and leaves no waste, but one side of the cut can curl. A double cut shear runs a center blade between two outer blades and removes a thin strip, 7/32 inch on the DeWalt DCS494B, so both finished sides stay flat. The tradeoff is a curl of swarf that has to come off the panel.
| Feature | Single cut shear | Double cut shear |
|---|---|---|
| Blades | One moving, one fixed | Center blade between two outer blades |
| Waste produced | None | Thin strip, 7/32 in on the DCS494B |
| Edge on both sides | One side may curl | Both sides stay flat |
| Debris | Minimal | One continuous curl of scrap |
| Example and rating | Makita XSJ01Z: 18 ga mild steel, 2,800 SPM | DeWalt DCS494B: 14 ga mild steel, 2,450 SPM, 5 in minimum radius |
| Best for | Trim, hidden laps, thinner gauge | Long field cuts, visible finished edges |
For a panel edge that stays visible, such as a rake or eave trim line, double cut gives the cleaner result because neither side folds up. The DCS494B’s 5 inch minimum cutting radius and the 6 to 7 inch minimum cut diameters retailers list for Milwaukee’s 2635-20 and 2636-20 mean these tools track straight runs and wide sweeps, not tight notches. For a hidden cut under a lap, a single cut shear wastes nothing.
Electric, cordless, pneumatic, or manual: which shear and what gauge?
Shear body type sets mobility and how thick a metal it will cut, from 24 gauge on a manual bench shear to 14 gauge on a cordless double cut. The table lists one named model per type with its published capacity. Corded and pneumatic shears are also sold; check the gauge rating on the specific model, since we did not price one for this page.
| Shear type | Example model | Mild steel capacity | Stainless / aluminum | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual bench shear | Swenson M42 | 24 ga, 42 in cut | Profile-specific blade sets | Square cuts across panels on the ground |
| Drill attachment | Malco TurboShear TSCM | 30 to 24 ga | Not listed | Corrugated and box-rib cross cuts |
| Cordless double cut | Milwaukee M18 2636-20 | 14 ga | 16 ga stainless | Heaviest cordless field cuts |
| Cordless double cut | Milwaukee M18 2635-20 | 18 ga | 20 ga stainless; 5.8 lb per the Milwaukee product page | Light-gauge straight runs |
| Cordless straight shear | Makita XSJ01Z | 18 ga | 20 ga stainless; 13 ga aluminum (distributor) | No-scrap straight cuts |
Gauge capacity is rated for mild steel. Stainless is harder, and every model above with a stainless rating drops one step: DCS494B from 14 to 16 gauge, 2635-20 and XSJ01Z from 18 to 20 gauge, and the 2476-20 nibbler from 16 to 18 gauge. Aluminum is softer, so the XSJ01Z’s distributor listing rates 13 gauge aluminum against 18 gauge steel. Match the tool to the thickest metal on the job.
Metal roofing shears vs tin snips vs a nibbler
Shears, snips and nibblers each own a different cut. Metal Sales’ PBR guide and its Classic Rib guide recommend tin snips or a nibbler-type electric tool for field cutting panels, and ABC Metal Roofing’s 5V Crimp manual recommends power shears or nibblers that can follow the panel’s profile. Shears win long straight cuts in flat panels; snips win short notches; a nibbler wins ribbed and corrugated profiles because it punches small chips and rides over each rib.
| Tool | Cut style | Best profile | Handles curves | Waste |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shears | Straight, gentle curve (5 in minimum radius on DCS494B) | Flat panel, trim, standing seam pan | Limited | 7/32 in strip on double cut only |
| Tin snips | Short, detailed | Thin flat panel edges | Yes, tight radius | None |
| Nibbler | Punches chips, up to 7 ft per minute (2476-20) | Corrugated, ribbed, cutouts | Yes | Metal chips |
The practical rule: reach for shears on a straight panel run, snips for a notch or a short trim adjustment, and a nibbler when the panel is corrugated metal roofing or you are cutting around an obstacle. ABC’s manual says a power saw is not recommended, and if one is used it must have a low-temperature blade, such as Dynamic Fasteners’ Slasher, so it does not melt the Galvalume coating.
Nibbler vs shear: which should a metal roofer buy?
Buy a shear if most of your cuts are straight runs across flat panels, standing seam pans and trim, and a nibbler if you cut corrugated or ribbed panels, notch around vents or need curves. Crews that work both profiles often carry both, and our separate guide has the nibbler vs shears compared model by model.
Nibbler chips are the hidden cost on a finished roof, even with the chip bag Milwaukee ships with the 2476-20. Metal Sales says slivers and chips from cutting must be removed from panels immediately because they damage the finish and shorten product life, and suggests flipping panels over to cut so chips brush off the back side.
When shears are the wrong tool
Shears fail on three jobs. They cannot follow the up-and-down profile of a corrugated or ribbed panel, so a standard shear only cross-cuts such sheets. They cannot hold a radius tighter than their minimum, 5 inches on the DCS494B, around a vent boot or chimney cutout. And they are poor at cutting along a rib. For any of those, switch to a nibbler or snips.
One exception is worth knowing: a corrugated-specific shear head like the Malco TurboShear TSCM chucks into a drill and is built for 30 to 24 gauge mild steel in corrugated and trapezoidal box profiles, with a head that rotates 360 degrees. Malco’s page lists cross cuts, lengthwise cuts and outlet cuts for it. For flat-panel work it is the standard powered shear or nibbler split above.
Avoid an abrasive wheel or ordinary saw blade for finish cuts on coated panels. ABC Metal Roofing’s 5V Crimp manual does not recommend power saws and requires a low-temperature metal-cutting blade if one is used, to avoid melting the Galvalume coating, and it says to brush panels after cutting so filings do not settle. That is why these manuals point to shears, snips and nibblers for field cuts on coated panels.
Best metal roofing shears in 2026, by job
The ranked table sorts six tools by the job each one owns, from the heaviest cordless field cuts to a manual bench shear for commercial-width panels. Pick by the panel and gauge you cut most: a 24 gauge standing seam crew and a 29 gauge barn crew need different tools.
The Roofing Brief has not bench tested these shears. Capacities come from manufacturer pages or, where noted, distributor listings, and prices are bare-tool listings at Acme Tools and Elite Metal Tools checked on October 19, 2026, with battery and charger sold separately. Prices shift with promotions and kit configuration, so confirm the current rating and price before buying.
| Shear (model) | Cut type | Mild-steel capacity | Key spec | Price checked Oct 19, 2026 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M18 2636-20 | Double cut | 14 gauge (16 ga stainless) | 360 degree tool-free rotating head; 7 in minimum cut diameter (retailer) | $349, Acme Tools | Heaviest cordless field cuts |
| Milwaukee M18 2635-20 | Double cut | 18 gauge (20 ga stainless) | 5.8 lb per Milwaukee’s product page; 6 in minimum cut diameter (retailer) | $299, Acme Tools | Light-gauge straight runs on the M18 platform |
| DeWalt DCS494B | Double cut, swivel head | 14 gauge (16 ga stainless) | 2,450 SPM, 5 in minimum radius, 7/32 in strip | $279, Acme Tools | DeWalt battery users, tighter radius |
| Makita XSJ01Z | Straight shear, no strip waste | 18 gauge (20 ga stainless) | 18V LXT, 2,800 SPM, 5.3 lb with battery | $459, Acme Tools | Clean single-pass cuts, no scrap strip |
| Malco TurboShear TSCM | Drill attachment shear head | 30 to 24 gauge (0.012 to 0.024 in) | 360 degree rotating head; 14.4 V minimum drill | Not listed at Acme Tools; Malco dealer map | Occasional corrugated and box-rib cuts |
| Swenson Straight Cut Shear (M42) | Manual straight cut | 24 gauge maximum | 42 in cut length; 100 lb; straight blade cuts 90 degrees up to a 2/12 gable | $1,245, Elite Metal Tools | Square panel cuts on the ground, commercial-width panels, no power |
Match the shear to the panel type first. Classic Rib comes in 29, 26 and 24 gauge, and Petersen’s standing seam starts at 24 gauge, so review metal roofing panel types and gauges before you buy a tool sized to the wrong metal.
How much do metal roofing shears cost?
Cordless metal roofing shears cost $279 to $459 for the bare tool in our October 19, 2026 Acme Tools check: DeWalt DCS494B $279, Milwaukee M18 2635-20 $299, Milwaukee M18 2636-20 $349 and Makita XSJ01Z $459. A replacement Milwaukee 48-44-0161 double shear blade listed at $69.99. The manual Swenson M42 bench shear listed at $1,245 at Elite Metal Tools. Battery and charger are extra on every cordless tool above.
How to make a clean cut with metal roofing shears
A clean shear cut comes from support, blade angle and steady feed. Rushing a shear folds the edge and chews the coating. These steps combine the tool makers’ ratings with Metal Sales’ and ABC’s field-cutting rules.
- Mark the cut line with a fine marker or a scribe and a straightedge so the shear has a line to track; for a double cut shear, remember the 7/32 in strip comes out of the line.
- Support the panel on both sides of the cut so it cannot flex or vibrate as the blades bite; Metal Sales suggests cutting with the panel flipped face down so chips fall on the back side.
- Set the shear flat against the panel and start the cut from the panel edge, not the middle.
- Feed the tool steadily at the motor’s pace (2,450 strokes per minute on the DCS494B) without pushing.
- Deburr the finished edge with a file or deburring tool, then touch up any exposed cut edge with the panel maker’s matching touch-up paint, which Metal Sales lists as an accessory.
- Brush the swarf and chips off every panel right away; Metal Sales says chips left on panels damage the finish and shorten product life.
Cut edges on steel panels are where rust starts, since the cut exposes bare steel through the AZ50 or AZ55 coating, so edge touch-up matters on any exposed cut. For where these cuts fit in a full panel install, see our metal roofing types guide and the roofing fundamentals hub. National data on how common metal roofs have become sits in our roofing material market share report.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cut metal roofing with shears?
Yes. Metal roofing shears cut flat steel and aluminum panels in straight or gently curved lines, and cordless models rated to 14 or 18 gauge clear the 24 to 29 gauge steel used on most residential roofs. They suit standing seam pans, flat panels and trim stock. For corrugated or ribbed profiles, Metal Sales and ABC Metal Roofing point to a nibbler or a profile-following shear.
What is the difference between single cut and double cut shears?
A single cut shear, such as Makita’s XSJ01Z, uses one moving and one fixed blade, produces no waste, but can curl one side of the cut. A double cut shear, such as DeWalt’s DCS494B, uses a center blade between two outer blades to remove a 7/32 inch strip, leaving both sides flat. Single cut suits hidden cuts; double cut gives a better visible edge.
Are shears or a nibbler better for metal roofing?
It depends on the panel. Shears are better for long straight cuts in flat panels and standing seam pans. A nibbler, such as Milwaukee’s M12 FUEL 2476-20 rated for 16 gauge mild steel at up to 7 feet per minute, is better for corrugated and ribbed panels, tight curves and cutouts. Metal Sales recommends snips or a nibbler for field cutting its exposed-fastener panels.
What gauge metal can electric shears cut?
The cordless shears we checked are rated for 14 or 18 gauge mild steel: 14 gauge for the Milwaukee 2636-20 and DeWalt DCS494B, 18 gauge for the Milwaukee 2635-20 and Makita XSJ01Z. Each drops one step for stainless, to 16 or 20 gauge, and the XSJ01Z’s distributor listing rates 13 gauge aluminum.
How much do metal roofing shears cost?
Bare cordless shears listed at $279 to $459 at Acme Tools on October 19, 2026: DeWalt DCS494B $279, Milwaukee 2635-20 $299, Milwaukee 2636-20 $349 and Makita XSJ01Z $459. A manual Swenson M42 bench shear listed at $1,245. Battery, charger and spare blades, such as Milwaukee’s $69.99 replacement blade, are extra.
Can you cut corrugated roofing with shears?
A standard powered shear cannot ride the up-and-down profile of a corrugated or ribbed sheet, so it only cross-cuts the panel. The exception is a corrugated-specific drill attachment like the Malco TurboShear TSCM, built for 30 to 24 gauge mild steel in corrugated and box-rib profiles. For curves or cutouts, a nibbler remains the correct tool.
Do shears leave a clean edge on metal roofing?
Double cut shears leave a flat edge on both sides because they remove a 7/32 inch strip as they cut. Single cut shears can curl one side, which is fine for a hidden lap. Either way, deburr the cut, touch up exposed steel edges with the panel maker’s touch-up paint, and brush chips off at once, since Metal Sales says chips left on panels damage the finish.