Guillotine shears: make the rated capacity meaningful to buyers
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A guillotine shear's thickness rating only makes sense with the conditions attached. Copy the manufacturer's material basis and cutting length into the sale information. Do not turn a figure for one grade of steel into a claim about every metal a buyer might cut.
The distinction is visible in LVD's MVS shear specifications, which identify the steel strength used for the stated maximum shearing capacity. Cutting length and backgauge range appear separately. Use that structure to check your own machine's documents; do not copy an MVS rating onto another shear.
Check a capacity quotation before it goes into the catalogue
Take the proposed sentence "cuts up to [thickness]" and work through these questions:
- Which document or plate supplies the figure?
- Does it match the full machine model and configuration?
- What material and strength does the manufacturer specify?
- What cutting length or other stated condition accompanies it?
- Are the units preserved accurately?
- Does the sentence describe the original rating, observed recent use, or both?
- Is there evidence for any wider claim about stainless steel, aluminium or another material?
If the last answer is no, leave that wider claim out. A buyer can seek manufacturer advice for their application. An online conversion chart is a poor substitute for a model-specific answer.
For example, a hypothetical listing could say: "The matching manual states a capacity of X for material Y under conditions Z. The manual page is available. The seller has not verified capacity for other materials." Fill each placeholder from the actual documents. The wording keeps a useful rating without pretending to have carried out a performance test.
Length, backgauge and support are different details
The cutting length tells a buyer about the length of cut available. The backgauge information concerns the machine's documented positioning arrangement. Stock supports, squaring arms and sheet handling equipment describe the package around the shear.
A buyer with established material handling may place little weight on extra supports. A smaller workshop may need to know whether they are included before it can assess the package. Photograph their location and identify what belongs to the machine.
State whether the backgauge is manual, powered or controlled, based on the machine and records. Include the control identity and any known fault. A powered display lighting up is not evidence that all positions repeat accurately.
For businesses selling several types of cutting equipment, the cold saw inclusion guide and ironworker station inventory help prevent accessories from drifting into the wrong lot. A stock support shown beside the guillotine should not also appear as an unqualified inclusion elsewhere.
Blade history is useful, but be precise
Record any documented blade replacement or regrind, including the date and the machine concerned. A box of spare blades needs its own identifiers and quantity. State whether compatibility is confirmed or simply reported by the seller.
Photographs can show accessible visible condition. They cannot establish hidden damage or remaining service life. Leave blade handling and condition assessment to a competent person; there is no reason to disturb an installed blade for a sale photograph.
Where a demonstration is appropriate, use a short written brief. Record what material was cut, who supplied that description, the date and what observers actually saw. The demonstration evidence guide explains why a successful sample cut is a narrower statement than a general accuracy guarantee.
Give the valuer a usable package
Prepare the identity photographs, rating source, inclusion list, known faults and availability date together. That allows questions about the actual offer, including whether supports or spare blades should remain with it.
A related press brake sale needs its own capacity description. Bending force and shearing capacity are different measures, even where the machines share a manufacturer or sit beside each other.
UK Auction Group's valuation service can discuss the shear once that package is clear. Include its location and whether an authorised viewing is possible. The fabrication and welding hub covers other equipment that may be leaving the same workshop.
Sources
- LVD MVS shears Checked
This guide gives general information. Equipment-specific, legal, tax and safety decisions may need a qualified adviser or competent specialist. The guides do not promise sale prices, fees or results.