The best sheet metal shear in 2026 is the Bernardo HST 1300 x 4 (€16,050): hydraulic, 1300 mm width, 4 mm steel capacity, motorized digital backgauge. For those who don't need hydraulic power, the MTM 1250 x 3 (€9,418) offers electric motorization with a digital display at a more accessible price. For small workshops without three-phase power, the manual shear PTS 650 S (€848) cuts up to 1.25 mm with a width of 650 mm.
I tested 10 Bernardo shears ranging from €238 to €35,184: manual lever shears for construction sites, motorized shears for medium production, and hydraulic CNC shears for industrial metal fabrication. Here's how to choose based on thickness, width, and workload.
Types of Sheet Metal Shears
Manual Lever Shears
Manual shears operate without electrical power, using a mechanical lever system. Ideal for small workshops, artisans, and construction sites. Maximum reliability, minimal investment, almost zero maintenance.
Electric Motorized Shears
Motorized shears fully automate cutting, eliminating the operator's physical effort. Suitable for medium production requiring repeatability and constant speed with significant volumes.
Professional Hydraulic Shears
Hydraulic shears develop extreme cutting force thanks to hydraulic cylinders. For high thicknesses and large formats. CNC digital control available, millimeter precision, intended for industrial metal fabrication.
The 10 Best Sheet Metal Shears
1. Bernardo Lever Shear HSG 8 - Best Entry Level
Cutting capacity: Up to 5 mm steel
Type: Manual lever
Structure: Welded steel
Blades: Hardened reversible steel
Power: None
Ideal for: Small workshops, artisans, construction sites
The HSG 8 manual shear is the perfect entry-level solution for beginners. It cuts up to 5mm on common steels using a mechanical lever system, with no energy costs. Perfect for construction sites and situations where electrical power is not available.
Advantages: No power required, minimal investment, almost zero maintenance, maximum reliability, perfect for construction sites, portable
Limitations: Physical effort required, limited productivity, max thickness 5mm
2. Bernardo PTS 650 S - Professional Manual Shear
Cutting width: 650 mm
Type: Professional manual lever
Backgauge: Adjustable rear
Structure: Electro-welded steel
Blades: Reversible 4 cutting edges
Weight: 180 kg
Professional manual shear with 650mm width and adjustable backgauge for repeatable cuts. Robust structure for daily use, reversible blades that quadruple their lifespan. Excellent compromise for medium fabrication shops.
Advantages: Versatile 650mm width, precise adjustable backgauge, professional construction, durable reversible blades, no energy cost
Limitations: Physical effort required, slower than motorized
3. Bernardo HTS 1050 - Manual Guillotine Shear
Cutting width: 1050 mm
Capacity: 2 mm steel
Type: Manual guillotine
System: Guided vertical movement
Backgauge: Micrometric rear
Weight: 250 kg
Top of the range among manual shears with a guillotine system and 1050mm width. The guided vertical movement ensures perfectly square cuts without deformation. Maximum manual capacity for professional metal fabricators who do not want to depend on electricity.
Advantages: Professional 1050mm width, perfectly square cuts, precise guillotine system, industrial construction, electrical independence
Limitations: Weight of 250kg requires installation, manual speed
4. Bernardo PTS 650 E - Entry Level Motorized Shear
Cutting width: 650 mm
Type: Electric motorized
Power: 230V single-phase
Control: Two-hand push button
Safety: CE compliant
Weight: 200 kg
First motorized shear with an accessible investment. Eliminates physical effort, increases productivity. CE compliant two-hand safety. Perfect for growing small workshops looking to automate sheet metal cutting.
Advantages: Eliminates physical effort, higher productivity, CE two-hand safety, accessible price, single-phase power
Limitations: Limited width 650mm, basic capacity
5. Bernardo MTM 1250 x 3 mm - Professional Motorized Shear
Cutting width: 1250 mm
Capacity: 3 mm steel
Backgauge: Motorized with digital display
Control: Two-hand + foot pedal
Power: Three-phase
Weight: 300 kg
Professional motorized shear with motorized digital backgauge. 1250mm width and 3mm capacity cover most applications. Digital display for millimeter repeatability. Industrial construction for intensive daily use.
Advantages: Motorized digital backgauge, 1250mm width, versatile 3mm capacity, precision display, robust construction
Limitations: Requires three-phase power, medium investment
6. Bernardo MTA 1360 x 3 mm - Motorized CNC Shear
Cutting width: 1360 mm
Capacity: 3 mm steel
Backgauge: CNC numerical control
Motor: High-efficiency brushless
Programming: Multiple program memory
Display: Graphical interface
Weight: 350 kg
Shear with CNC numerical control for maximum precision. Electronically positioned backgauge with a tenth of a millimeter precision. Stores hundreds of programs. Eliminates human errors, perfect for high-volume serial production.
Advantages: Absolute precision CNC control, infinite program memory, error elimination, zero-maintenance brushless motor, system integration
Limitations: Significant investment, requires CNC training
7. Bernardo HST 1300 x 4 - Entry Level Hydraulic Shear
Cutting Width: 1300 mm
Capacity: 4 mm steel
System: Hydraulic with cylinder
Backgauge: Motorized with display
Power Supply: Three-phase
Structure: Solid steel portal
Weight: 400 kg
First hydraulic shear with an accessible investment. The hydraulic system develops high forces, cutting up to 4mm with superior fluidity. Better edge quality, less vibration. Ideal for transitioning to hydraulic technology.
Advantages: High-performance hydraulic system, superior 4mm capacity, smooth precise cutting, digital backgauge, less maintenance
Limitations: Requires three-phase power, medium-high investment
8. Bernardo HST 1600 x 6 - Professional Hydraulic Shear
Cutting Width: 1600 mm
Capacity: 6 mm steel
System: Hydraulic with proportional valves
Backgauge: CNC with encoder
Control: Industrial PLC
Weight: 500 kg
Professional hydraulic shear with proportional valves that regulate speed and force. PLC manages diagnostics. For metalworking shops that daily process medium-thick sheets with consolidated volumes.
Advantages: 6mm capacity for thick sheets, 1600mm width, proportional valves, PLC diagnostics, tenth-mm precision
Limitations: Significant investment, dedicated space
9. Bernardo HSB 2000 x 6 - Industrial Hydraulic Shear
Cutting Width: 2000 mm
Capacity: 6 mm steel
System: High-flow hydraulic
Backgauge: 4 independent CNC axes
Display: Industrial touch screen
Weight: Over 1 ton
Industrial shear with 2-meter width for high volumes. Processes entire industrial-sized sheets. 4 CNC axes support material along its entire length. For industrial workshops with intensive production.
Advantages: 2000mm industrial width, 4 CNC axes, continuous use construction, touch screen display, extreme reliability
Limitations: High investment, significant space
10. Bernardo HKS 3200 x 6 - Top Range CNC Hydraulic Shear
Cutting Width: 3200 mm
Capacity: 6 mm steel
Control: Multi-core processor CNC
Backgauge: Absolute encoder servomotors
System: Advanced proportional hydraulic
Software: Direct CAD import
Connectivity: Industry 4.0
Weight: Over 2 tons
Absolute technological pinnacle. 3200mm width cuts any commercial sheet metal. CNC imports CAD files, automatically optimizes sequences, MES integration. Only for large industrial plants with very high volumes.
Advantages: Max 3200mm width, multi-core CNC, total automation, CAD import, Industry 4.0, centesimal precision
Limitations: Very high investment, specialized personnel
Buying Guide
Which Type to Choose
Manual lever shears
Pros: No power supply, minimal investment, maximum reliability, zero maintenance, portable
Cons: Physical effort, limited productivity, slower speed
Ideal for: Small workshops, construction sites, occasional work, artisans
Electric motorized shears
Pros: Eliminates physical effort, medium productivity, two-hand safety, constant speed
Cons: Requires electricity, operational costs, motor maintenance
Ideal for: Medium workshops, daily use, repetitive production, business growth
Professional hydraulic shears
Pros: High forces, thicker materials, millimeter precision, superior quality, CNC available
Cons: High investment, specialized maintenance, dedicated space
Ideal for: Industrial metalworking, large volumes, high thicknesses, intensive production
Cutting Width
650-1000mm: Small workshops, sheets up to 90cm
1200-1600mm: Versatile, covers 80% of needs up to 150cm
2000-2600mm: Large panels, heavy metalworking up to 250cm
3000-3200mm: Industrial, any size
Rule: Choose a width 10-15cm greater than the largest sheet you usually cut
Capacity per Material
Carbon steel: Reference 100% declared capacity
Austenitic stainless steel: Reduce capacity by 30-40%
Aluminum: Increase capacity by 50-80%
Copper and alloys: Increase capacity by 20-30%
Important: Never work continuously at the maximum limit. Leave a margin of 20-30%
Power Supply
Single-phase 230V
Availability: Everywhere
Max power: 3 kW
Ideal: Small workshops, individual artisans
Installation cost: Zero
Three-phase 400V
Availability: Requires installation
Power: 4-5.5+ kW
Ideal: Professional metalworking shops, intensive use
Installation cost: 1000-2000 euros
Required Space
Calculation formula:
Length: Cutting width + 2-3m
Width: Machine depth + 1.5-2m
Clear height: 3+ meters
Example 1600mm shear:
Length: 4-4.5 meters
Width: 3 meters
Height: 3+ meters
Budget and ROI
Initial costs:
Manual shears: 200 - 3,000 euros
Motorized shears: 2,500 - 15,000 euros
Hydraulic shears: 15,000 - 40,000+ euros
Transport: 150 - 600 euros
Installation: 300 - 1,500 euros
Electrical adaptation: 0 - 2,000 euros
ROI: If outsourcing cutting costs 15-25 euros/piece × 20-30 pieces/month = savings of 3,600-9,000 euros/year. Amortization 1-4 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: manual, motorized, or hydraulic shears?
It depends on the volume of work and the thicknesses. Manual shears are ideal for small workshops, occasional work, and construction sites: they don't require electricity, have low costs, and cut up to 5 mm. Electric motorized shears are for medium workshops with daily use: they eliminate physical effort, guarantee repeatable cuts, and work thicknesses from 2 to 4 mm. Hydraulic shears are for industrial metalworking shops: they cut thicknesses from 4 to 8 mm on large formats with maximum precision, but require greater investment and space.
How often should the blades be sharpened?
It depends on the intensity of use and the material. With occasional use, blades last 50,000-100,000 cuts; with intensive industrial use, they can reach 200,000-500,000 cuts. Stainless steel halves the lifespan. Signs indicating dull blades are: excessive burrs, deformed edges, increased cutting effort, and abnormal noises. Reversible blades have 4 usable cutting edges before replacement and can be resharpened 3-5 times. The cost of sharpening is approximately 30-50% of the price of a new blade.
Can I cut stainless steel with a shear?
Yes, but you must reduce the capacity by 30-40%. A shear with 4 mm capacity on mild steel will cut a maximum of 2.5 mm of austenitic stainless steel. To work with stainless steel safely: use only 60-70% of the nominal capacity, choose specific blades if available, set a slightly larger blade gap, and reduce the speed on hydraulic shears. Contact Krollit to verify the compatibility of the model with your materials.
Is three-phase power required?
Shears up to 3 kW operate with single-phase 230V, available in any workshop. Shears over 4 kW, including all professional hydraulic shears, require three-phase 400V. If you do not have three-phase power, installation typically costs €1,000-2,000. Always check the machine's specifications before purchasing. Krollit can help you assess the electrical needs based on the chosen model.
How much space is needed to install a shear?
Calculate as follows: total length = cutting width + 2.5-3 meters (for loading and unloading sheets); total width = machine depth + 2 meters (for operator movement); clear height = at least 3 meters. Practical example: a shear with a 1600 mm cutting width requires approximately 4-4.5 m in length × 3 m in width × 3+ m in height. Also consider space for storing incoming sheets and cut pieces.
How long does a shear last?
With correct maintenance, a professional shear is an investment for decades. The frame and table last over 30 years. Motors and hydraulic system 15-20 years. Electrical components and guide bearings 10-15 years. Typical ROI is 2-5 years, after which the machine generates net profit for a long time. Blades and seals are the only regularly consumed parts.
Shear or nibbler for cutting sheet metal, which is better?
Shears cut quickly (up to 10 m/min) without removing material, but slightly deform one side of the sheet metal. Nibblers are slower but do not deform: they remove a 1.5-3 mm chip and leave perfectly flat edges. For straight and fast cuts, choose shears. For tight curves, corrugated sheets, shaped profiles, and jobs where deformation is unacceptable (e.g., electrical cabinets), nibblers are better.
How to avoid burrs and deformed edges?
Burrs arise from three causes: incorrect blade clearance, blunt blades, or overloading. The correct clearance is 5-10% of the sheet thickness (e.g., 2 mm sheet → 0.1-0.2 mm clearance). Dull blades increase effort and create jagged edges: sharpen when quality deteriorates. Never cut thicknesses exceeding the stated capacity: shears for 4 mm should not work with 5 mm sheets.
How long do shear blades last?
With correct maintenance, guillotine blades perform 50,000-100,000 cuts before needing resharpening. Reversible blades have 4 cutting edges (guillotine) or 2 cutting edges (swing beam), so they can be rotated multiple times before replacement. Resharpening cost: €50-150 depending on size. New blade cost: €100-400 for small shears, €300-1,000+ for industrial ones.
Which is better: manual, motorized, or hydraulic shears?
Manual for: Small workshops, occasional work, construction sites, limited budget, max 5mm, no electricity required
Motorized for: Medium workshops, daily use, repetitive production, eliminates physical effort, 2-4mm
Hydraulic for: Industrial workshops, thicknesses 4-8mm, large formats, high volumes, maximum precision
How often should blades be sharpened?
Occasional use: 50,000-100,000 cuts
Intensive use: 200,000-500,000 cuts
Stainless steel: Halves lifespan
Signs: Excessive burrs, deformed edges, increased cutting effort, abnormal noises
Reversible blades: 4 usable cutting edges
Possible resharpenings: 3-5 times then replacement
Sharpening cost: 30-50% of new blade price
Can I cut stainless steel?
Yes, but reduce capacity by 30-40%
Example: 4mm steel shear → Max 2.5mm austenitic stainless steel
Tips for stainless steel: Use only 60-70% of nominal capacity, specific blades if available, larger blade clearance, reduced speed if hydraulic, check with Krollit
Is three-phase power required?
Single-phase 230V: Shears up to 3 kW, available everywhere, limited power
Three-phase 400V: Shears over 4 kW, all professional hydraulic models, installation 1000-2000 euros
Check machine specifications. Krollit helps assess needs.
How much space is needed?
Approximate formula:
Total length: Cutting width + 2.5-3 meters
Total width: Machine depth + 2 meters
Free height: 3+ meters
Example for 1600mm shear: 4-4.5m length × 3m width × 3+m height
How long do they last?
With correct maintenance:
Table structure: 30+ years
Motors: 15-20 years
Hydraulic system: 15-20 years
Electrical components: 10-15 years
Guide bearings: 10-15 years
Typical ROI: 2-5 years, then the machine generates pure profit for decades
Which Shears to Choose
For most artisanal workshops, the MTM 1250 x 3 (€9,418) is the best compromise: motorized, 1250 mm width, 3 mm capacity, digital backgauge. It eliminates physical effort and ensures repeatable cuts.
Limited budget or occasional use? The manual shears HSG 8 (€238) and PTS 650 S (€848) require no electricity and have almost zero maintenance.
Thicknesses over 4 mm or large formats? Move to hydraulic: the HST 1600 x 6 (€18,856) cuts 6 mm on 1600 mm width with PLC control.
In the complete sheet metal shear collection, you will find all Bernardo models with technical sheets, updated prices, and immediate availability.
Do you have doubts about which model to choose? Contact our team at +39 0825-1494022: we will help you find the right shears for your workshop.
Sandra Gaspar
Sandra Gaspar is the founder of Krollit. With a degree in Business Administration and over 18 years of experience in the sector, since 2007 she has been helping hobbyists, artisans, and industries choose the best machines for working wood, metal, and sheet metal. Thanks to partnerships with leading international brands, she has built a network of over 10,000 professional customers across Europe.
