Hand-Lever Guillotine Shears
EBR METAL hand-lever guillotine shears are manual guillotine shears built for straight sheet metal cutting without electrical or hydraulic power. The range covers three models: KMD, KMP and KMH, differentiated by construction material and cutting capacity rather than duty class.
EBR METAL hand-lever guillotine shears are manual guillotine shears built for straight sheet metal cutting without electrical or hydraulic power. The range covers three models: KMD, KMP and KMH, differentiated by construction material and cutting capacity rather than duty class.
What Is a Manual Guillotine Shear?
A manual guillotine shear, also called a hand lever guillotine shear, cuts sheet metal by moving an upper blade against a fixed lower blade using hand-lever force from the operator, rather than an electric motor or a hydraulic cylinder.
EBR METAL hand-lever guillotine shears combine a mechanical sheet clamping system with a manual back gauge for positioning the sheet before each cut. A front set-square with a millimetric ruler supports both angled cutting and vertical cuts. The cutting lever itself is made of low-carbon steel for flexibility and stability during operation.
Because the cutting force comes from the operator rather than a motor, production rate on a hand-lever machine remains operator-dependent, and the machine is best suited to simple, occasional or lower-volume cutting rather than continuous production runs.
KMD, KMP and KMH Hand-Lever Guillotine Shears
EBR METAL’s hand lever shears are available in three models, each built around a different construction and capacity:
KMD Cast-Iron Manual Guillotine Shear
KMD uses traditional cast-iron construction for the table and legs. Its higher machine mass contributes to stable manual cutting conditions, alongside proper floor anchoring.
KMP Welded-Steel Manual Guillotine Shear
KMP uses welded/fabricated steel construction and shares KMD’s 2.0 mm nominal cutting capacity, offered as a more economical construction alternative.
KMH Lower-Weight Manual Guillotine Shear
KMH uses formed sheet-steel construction and a lower nominal capacity of 1.5 mm, with reduced machine weight for easier transport between job sites.
Hand-Lever Guillotine Shear Model Specifications
| Model | Actual Shearing Length | Nominal Capacity | Back Gauge Range | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMD 1020 | 1050 mm | 2.0 mm | 0–600 mm | 500 kg |
| KMD 1270 | 1280 mm | 2.0 mm | 0–600 mm | 600 kg |
| KMP 1020 | 1050 mm | 2.0 mm | 0–600 mm | 450 kg |
| KMP 1270 | 1280 mm | 2.0 mm | 0–600 mm | 550 kg |
| KMH 1020 | 1050 mm | 1.5 mm | 0–600 mm | 350 kg |
| KMH 1270 | 1280 mm | 1.5 mm | 0–600 mm | 370 kg |
Model designations (1020/1270) are catalogue codes, not the actual shearing length. Actual shearing lengths are 1050 mm and 1280 mm respectively.
Cutting capacities are specified for ST37 / S235JR mild steel with approximately 370–400 N/mm² tensile strength.
How to Choose Between KMD, KMP and KMH
None of the three models differs in operating principle. The choice between them comes down to construction material, nominal capacity and machine weight.
| Model | Construction | Nominal Capacity (Mild/Carbon Steel) | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMD | Cast iron | 2.0 mm | 500 / 600 kg |
| KMP | Welded steel | 2.0 mm | 450 / 550 kg |
| KMH | Formed sheet steel | 1.5 mm | 350 / 370 kg |
KMD and KMP share the same nominal 2.0 mm capacity. The choice between them comes down to construction and cost. KMH is the lower-capacity, lower-weight model in the family, suited to thinner material and easier transport.
Manual Backgauge, Sheet Clamping and Short-Strip Cutting
The manual back gauge covers a 0–600 mm range and is set using a handwheel. Once set, repeated cuts can be made to the adjusted dimension with practical manual repeatability — this is manual repeatability from a fixed mechanical stop, not CNC or automatic positioning.
The mechanical sheet clamping system holds the sheet during cutting and supports stable positioning, and the back gauge is suited to positioning narrow and thin sheets.
The backgauge arrangement also incorporates a spring behavior that allows it to move downward during the cutting/pressure action. This supports cutting very short strips or short pieces that would otherwise be difficult to position against a fixed back gauge.
A front set-square with a millimetric ruler is fitted for angled sheet cutting and for vertical cuts.
All three models — KMD, KMP and KMH — include provision for anchor-bolt fixing to the floor. Correct floor anchoring improves operating stability and is recommended for all installations, including KMD and KMP, whose higher mass otherwise permits cutting with very little machine movement.
Cutting Capacity and Material Context
Published nominal capacity for this family is based on mild/carbon steel: KMD and KMP at 2.0 mm, KMH at 1.5 mm.
The machines can also process other materials, including aluminium, copper, stainless steel, some plastics, cardboard, rubber and similar gasket materials, depending on the specific material’s properties. Exact capacity for these materials is not published as a fixed table.
For stainless steel, practical cutting thickness is generally around half the nominal mild-steel capacity, depending on material grade and cutting conditions.
Sheets longer than the nominal shearing length can be processed through controlled repositioning and progressive cuts when the application permits, rather than in a single pass.
Buyers sometimes describe this category as a manual sheet metal guillotine rather than a guillotine shear — both terms refer to the same hand-lever cutting principle described above.
Manual Guillotine Shear Applications for Workshops and Site Work
EBR METAL industrial manual guillotine shears are used for simple or occasional cutting, quick trimming, and correcting the end of a sheet, without needing to start a larger powered guillotine for a single cut.
Typical users include:
- Small and large sheet-metal workshops;
- HVAC duct manufacturers and installers;
- Ventilation contractors;
- Gutter fabrication and installation businesses;
- Aluminium façade and exterior fabrication work;
- Stove-related fabrication;
- Construction and site work;
- Maintenance workshops; and
- Educational institutions.
The exact model fit depends on material, thickness and the practical need for lower-weight transport versus higher machine mass.
Manual, Motorized or Hydraulic: Choosing the Right Guillotine Shear
Hand-lever guillotine shears are not a substitute or equivalent for motorized guillotines or hydraulic guillotine shears. They serve a different practical role. A hand-lever machine is a practical choice for simple, occasional cuts, thin-sheet work and site use, particularly where starting a larger powered machine for one cut is impractical or where no electrical or hydraulic power source is available.
Some buyers describe this category loosely as a “bench guillotine shear.” EBR’s KMD, KMP and KMH models are floor-standing machines, built for anchor-bolt fixing rather than bench mounting.
For higher-volume repetitive cutting, see EBR METAL’s Direct Gear Motorized Guillotine Shears. For thicker material and longer cutting lengths, see EBR METAL’s Hydraulic Guillotine Shears.
Blade System, Serviceability and Warranty
The blades are single-edged and can be reground repeatedly. As repeated grinding gradually reduces blade thickness, EBR’s upper blade mounting allows the upper blade position to be adjusted toward the lower blade to restore correct cutting clearance. This supports extended blade service life without replacing the blade after every regrind.
EBR’s bearing and support design at the blade/lever connection is engineered for reduced wear and long service life.
These machines require relatively little routine maintenance: monitoring blade condition, regrinding or sharpening blades when required, adjusting blade clearance after grinding, and periodically lubricating specified points with an appropriate grease or light oil.
Standard blades can cut stainless steel within reduced thickness limits, though blade life is shorter under regular stainless use. For customers cutting stainless steel regularly, special stainless-cutting blades are available for longer service life in that application. Stainless-cutting blades can be selected at initial order, and replacement standard or stainless-cutting blades can be ordered later and fitted to the machine.
This Hand-Lever Guillotine Shears family is supplied with a 2-year warranty.
Need Help Choosing a Hand-Lever Guillotine Shear?
Tell EBR METAL the material, thickness and application you need to cover. We can help you compare KMD, KMP and KMH and identify the right fit.
Hand-Lever Guillotines FAQ
What thickness can a manual guillotine shear cut?
KMD and KMP cut up to 2.0 mm mild/carbon steel; KMH cuts up to 1.5 mm mild/carbon steel. For stainless steel, practical cutting thickness is generally around half the nominal mild-steel figure, depending on material grade and cutting conditions.
How do I choose between KMD, KMP and KMH?
KMD and KMP share the same 2.0 mm nominal capacity and differ in construction material (cast iron vs. welded steel) and weight. KMH has a lower 1.5 mm capacity and the lowest weight in the family, making it easier to move between job sites.
Does a manual guillotine shear require electricity?
No. Hand-lever guillotine shears cut using hand-lever force from the operator and do not require an electrical or hydraulic power source.
Can a hand-lever guillotine shear cut stainless steel?
Standard blades can cut stainless steel within reduced thickness limits — generally around half the nominal mild-steel capacity, depending on grade and conditions. For frequent stainless-steel cutting, special stainless-cutting blades are available for longer blade life.
When should I choose a hand-lever shear instead of a motorized or hydraulic one?
A hand-lever shear suits simple, occasional cutting, quick trimming, thin-sheet work and site use, particularly where starting a larger powered machine for one cut isn’t practical. Higher-volume or thicker/longer cutting is better served by EBR’s motorized or hydraulic guillotine shears.
Can replacement blades be ordered later?
Yes. Replacement standard or stainless-cutting blades can be ordered after the initial purchase and fitted to the machine.