The Shop Fox M1040 8-in Plate Shear is a manually operated metal cutting shear built for cutting sheet metal, plate stock, and round stock to size. This is a plate shear designed for stationary metal cutting in a shop or workbench setup. Model Number M1040. If you want a simple, fast way to make repeat cuts without power, sparks, or a lot of setup, this is the kind of tool that earns its space on the bench.

What matters here is usable capacity. The M1040 handles material up to 8 inches wide, cuts plate up to 3/16 inch thick, and can cut rod up to 1/2 inch. For light fabrication, repair work, and general metalworking, that covers a lot of common stock. Instead of tying up a cutoff saw for every small job, you can walk over to the shear, drop the material in place, and make a quick clean cut.

The leverage system is the reason a manual shear like this works. Shop Fox gives the M1040 a 24 inch handle plus compound lever action for added mechanical advantage. In plain terms, you get more cutting force at the blade without having to muscle the tool harder than necessary. That helps when you are working with thicker plate or making repeated cuts during a longer fabrication session.

It is also set up the way a shop tool should be. The base is made to be mounted to the floor or a sturdy workbench, so the shear stays planted while you work. That fixed setup makes a big difference in accuracy, control, and safety compared with trying to cut metal by hand with portable snips on larger stock. At roughly 41 pounds, it has enough mass to feel solid once installed, but it is still manageable to place where you need it.

For durability, the M1040 uses ground and hardened knives. That matters because edge quality and blade toughness are what keep a shear useful over time. A bench shear only saves time if it keeps cutting cleanly and consistently. Hardened knives are the right call for a tool that may see repeated use on plate and rod in a working shop.

This metal cutting plate shear makes the most sense for small fabrication shops, maintenance departments, welders, farm shops, auto restoration work, and serious DIY users who regularly work with mild steel stock. If your work involves occasional straight cuts in sheet metal and small plate, and you want a dependable manual tool that does not need power to get the job done, the Shop Fox M1040 8-in Plate Shear is a solid fit.

Shop Fox M1040 8-in Plate Shear for Straightforward Shop Cutting

The Shop Fox M1040 8-in Plate Shear is the kind of manual shop tool that makes sense the minute you get tired of overcomplicating simple metal cuts.

• Who it's for: Anyone doing light fabrication, repair work, or regular sheet metal trimming who wants a fixed metal cutting station instead of reaching for a powered cutter every time.
• Why it stands out: The useful part is the combination of 8 inch capacity, 3/16 inch plate capacity, 1/2 inch rod capacity, and a 24 inch handle with compound leverage. That is real shop utility, not filler.
• Worth knowing: This is a manual bench shear, so plan on mounting it securely. If you do that, it becomes a fast, reliable option for everyday straight cutting in metal stock.

• What can the Shop Fox M1040 8-in Plate Shear cut? It is designed to cut sheet metal, plate stock, and round stock.
• What is the maximum plate capacity? The listed plate capacity is 3/16 inch, which is also stated as 7 gauge.
• Can it cut rod? Yes. The listed rod capacity is 1/2 inch.
• Does it need to be mounted? Yes. It is intended to be mounted to a floor or a sturdy workbench for stationary use.