To start a penetration, use a hammer and chisel or your selected tool to make the initial opening through the material. Then wiggle the head of the Metal Pecker into the opening and open the jaws wide enough and place the material to be cut in the back of the opening of the jaws of the Metal Pecker.
You'll natually get more leverage and control that way - just like with a pair of scissors.
You can then start cutting and with each stroke the tool will cut a complete metal strip, which will temporarily disppear into the head of the tool then drop out the bottom.
How does the Metal Pecker design work?
The Metal Pecker's patented design features twin anvils and a cutter head tht traps and cuts a clean metal strip 6mm wide and 42mm long. You will find that it will clean-cut the edges and won't leave any swarf to rust.
With the long handles you also get plenty of leverage and you will find the Metal Pecker can easily cut through seams and folds in metal sheet and duct.
How do I get best use out of the Metal Pecker?
The tool is not designed to be used for cutting long lengths of profile before it is in place. It works best in-situ when you need to cut a penetration in a duct in place or a skylight or flashing collar around a pipe penetrating a roof.
Is there any special technique in using the tool?
Once you have inserted the tool into a penetration, open the jaw of the tool as wide as possible and then start cutting - like any tool, you have less leverage the closer you are to the end of the head.
From experience, Mario suggests you can be quite aggressive in your use of the tool. If you are cutting a penetration and need to change direction (90 degrees), slightly pull the tool out of the penetration and then twist the tool 90 degrees, then start cutting it in the new direction.
Why use the Metal Pecker rather than traditional snips?
If you have a look around your tool kit, you'll likely find the only long handled tool is a bolt cutter.
That means you are not making much use of the leverage of your arms. Combine that leverage with the Metal Pecker's unique patented head design and you have a winner in teams of cutting action.
Why did we call it the Metal Pecker?
That's something we are often asked.
If you've ever seen Woody-Woodpecker the cartoon character, you'll understand why we called it the Metal Pecker. Woody chomped away on wood wth ease, while the Metal Pecker does an equally good job on metal profile.