Discover our Guillotines
Guillotine Machines Precision Sheet-Metal Cutting for UK
Fast. Clean. Reliable. Our guillotine machines deliver accurate straight cuts for sheet metal, aluminium and non-ferrous metals — from small workshop bench shears to full-size hydraulic and CNC guillotine shears for production floors.
What a Guillotine Shear Does
A guillotine shear cuts sheet material with an upper moving blade driven down against a fixed lower blade. Machines vary by drive type (mechanical, hydraulic, electrical/CNC) and by cutting width and thickness capacity — from bench models for crafts and PCB work to large industrial machines handling multi-metre widths and several millimetres of steel.
Why Choose a Guillotine Machine?
- Straight, burr-free cuts ideal for blanks and pre-bending work.
- Fast throughput for high-volume jobs — economical for repeat cutting.
- Robust, low-maintenance design with long blade life when properly serviced.
Flexible options: hand/treadle, mechanical, hydraulic, and CNC models to match budget and output.
Types of Guillotine Machines
- Bench / Treadle Guillotines — Small footprint, hand or foot-operated, great for jewellery, PCBs, prototype shops and light metals.
- Mechanical Guillotines — Flywheel/gear driven; fast strokes per minute and good for thin gauge steel in production.
- Hydraulic Guillotine Shears — Smooth power delivery, higher cutting force for thicker materials and longer service life; common in fabrication shops.
- CNC / Automated Guillotines — Programmable back gauge and automated cycles for repeat accuracy and reduced operator time. Ideal for medium-to-high volume work.
Key Features
Material & Thickness — Match the machine’s rated capacity to your thickest regularly cut metal. (Don’t overspec lightly; underspec can damage blades.)
Working Width — Choose a width slightly larger than your largest sheet size (1000–3100 mm common).
Drive Type & Speed — Mechanical for speed on thin sheets; hydraulic for power on thicker plates; CNC if repeatability and automation matter.
Back Gauge Accuracy — Essential for repeatable cuts; consider digital or CNC back gauges for production.
Safety & Compliance — Look for guards, hold-downs, emergency stops, and conformity to UK/EU machine safety standards (CE marking, local regs).
Service & Blade Support — Blades wear — confirm availability of replacement blades and sharpening services in the UK
Maintenance & Safety Tips
- Daily: clean chips and debris, check hold-down and back gauge function.
- Weekly: inspect blade edge and tightening bolts; check hydraulic fluid levels (hydraulic models).
- As needed: rotate or regrind blades (most blades have multiple usable edges), replace when nicked. Use a reputable sharpener/repair service.
- Always use blade guards and hold-down bars during cutting.
- Train operators on emergency stops and safe feeding techniques.
- Consider foot-switch safety surround or two-hand control for bench models.
Specification
| Spec | |
|---|---|
| Working width | 2040 mm |
| Max cut thickness (mild steel) | 3.0 mm |
| Drive | Hydraulic |
| Back gauge | 0–1000 mm digital |
| Blade edges | 4 usable edges |
| Safety | Hold-down bar, rear guard, E-stop |
| Typical use | General fabrication, production blanks |
Why Buy From Us
UK-based technical support and spare parts stock.
Accredited safety checks and CE compliance verification.
Blade grinding and spare blade program.
Live demos, on-site commissioning, and operator training available.
FAQs
A guillotine machine (or guillotine shear) makes straight-line cuts in sheet metal. It’s widely used to prepare blanks, remove excess material, and cut thin to medium thickness metal quickly and accurately.
Commonly mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper and other non-ferrous metals — capacity depends on blade material and machine specification. Always confirm material/thickness compatibility with the machine spec.
Neither is universally “better.” Mechanical shears are fast and efficient for thin material; hydraulic shears offer smoother, higher force cuts for thicker stock; CNC models add automation and repeatability. Choose by material, volume and precision needs.
Blade life varies by material, usage and blade quality. Many blades have multiple usable edges; workshops often rotate edges or resharpen when cuts become rough or produce burrs. Set up a routine inspection schedule.
Yes — there are UK suppliers offering replacement blades and specialist sharpening services; verify lead times and warranty terms before purchase.
Prices vary widely by size and drive type — bench models can be a few hundred pounds, while industrial hydraulic or CNC guillotines range from several thousand to tens of thousands of pounds. Get a tailored quote based on capacity and features required.