Malco TS1
By Malco · Cordless Drills · Power Tools
- Cuts 20 gauge galvanized steel (.040 in / 1.02 mm)
- Cuts 20 gauge cold rolled steel (.036 in / 0.91 mm)
- Fits standard 1200 rpm A/C or cordless drill
- Min 1/4 in (6.35mm) chuck, Min 14.4 V-DC / Max 7 A-AC
- Cuts straight and to the left
Lowest price seen
$54.47
from $54.47 at eBay · Checked Oct 12, 2026
- eBay $54.47View at eBay
- HVAC365 $62.95View at HVAC365
- SupplyHouse.com $68.13View at SupplyHouse.com
- TruMetal Supply $68.49View at TruMetal Supply
- Edmondson Supply $73.29View at Edmondson Supply
- Big Rock Supply $76.25View at Big Rock Supply
- Toolup $78.43View at Toolup
- MalcoView at Malco
- WalmartView at Walmart
- Jackson SystemsView at Jackson Systems
- McCoy'sView at McCoy's
- eBay (used) eBay: used, open-box, refurbishedView at eBay (used)
- AmazonView at Amazon
Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.
Summary
The Malco TS1 TurboShear is a drill-powered metal shear for straight and left cuts in 20-gauge sheet metal, aimed at HVAC, roofing and sheet-metal trades. Check your drill and your cut list before you buy: it needs a 14.4 V cordless drill at minimum, a 1/2-in starting hole for blind cuts, and it does not cut to the right.
Strengths
- Owners say it cuts clean: “like through butter” is a recurring line in reviews on the manufacturer’s page.
- Fast: one owner made 20-foot straight cuts in about a minute on metal roofing.
- It handles more than ductwork: owners cut metal roofing panels, circular cutouts, backsplashes, furnace jackets and equipment enclosures.
- Hardened jaws are replaceable, and Malco states a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
- The offset design keeps both hands away from the work surface.
Weaknesses
- Cuts straight and left only; right cuts need a different head or a snip.
- The jaw mouth does not open wide enough for steel framing studs, one owner reports.
- The slightest drill tilt leaves a ruffled edge; owners say get comfortable with it before you cut something you care about.
- Jaw clearance must be adjusted when switching between material thicknesses.
- The cordless floor is 14.4 V-DC even though Malco’s category page still says “minimum 12-volt cordless”.
- Not a general-purpose cutter: an owner who tried it on carpet found a utility knife easier and cheaper.
Verified specifications
| Type | sheet-metal cutting drill attachment; the drill is not included. |
|---|---|
| Chuck fit | standard 1/4 in (6.35 mm) drill chuck. |
| Drill speed | 1200 rpm. |
| Minimum power | 14.4 V-DC cordless or max 7 A-AC. |
| Capacity | 20-gauge galvanized steel (.040 in / 1.02 mm); also cuts 20-gauge cold-rolled steel (.036 in / 0.91 mm). |
| Also cuts | 24-gauge (.63 mm) non-hardened carbon or stainless steel, 16-gauge (1.2 mm) aluminum, .050 in (1.27 mm) copper. |
| Cut direction | straight and to the left. |
| Starting hole | 1/2 in (12.7 mm) for blind cuts. |
| Jaw clearance | adjusted with a 3/16 in set screw on the back of the tool. |
| Jaws | hardened and replaceable. |
| Optional accessory | TSDC Drill Clamp. |
| Origin | made in USA. |
Full research notes and sources
What it needs to run
The TS1 is only a head. It drops into a standard 1/4-in chuck and needs a 1200 rpm drill: minimum 14.4 V-DC cordless or max 7 A-AC. Malco’s category description says “minimum 12-volt cordless”, but the product-level data specifies 14.4 V-DC, and that higher figure is the one that governs cordless selection. Whether the TS1 fits impact drivers is unconfirmed.
What owners say
Every owner voice here comes from the review list on Malco’s own product page. Cut quality draws the most praise: “Cuts through sheet metal like through butter” (Bob the Farmer); “Worked great and cut through metal like butter” on corrugated sheet (Robert Ellis). Speed gets a mention too: “I made 20’ cuts in a matter of seconds (about a minute)” cutting roofing sheeting (Fish Boy). An HVAC technician reports daily professional use that “lives up to every bit of what I have come to expect from Malco” (WorkingMan). On value and build: “For the price, it’s really very good and does what is expected” (Ron Smith); “About the coolest tool for the money that I’ve bought in a long time” (Toby G.); “It appears well made, tight tolerances… Definitely not your usual made in china feel” (Adeptus Astartes Mechanicus).
Jaws, clearance and upkeep
Expect to dial the jaw clearance in with the 3/16-in set screw when moving between material thicknesses; the out-of-box setting may not suit every gauge. Hardened jaws are replaceable, and Malco publishes a replacement blade instruction sheet (SL11842C). The product page states a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Is it worth it?
No US retail prices were captured in this research pass, so there is nothing to anchor a price verdict on. The honest framing: the TS1 is a low-cost accessory for someone who already owns a suitable drill, positioned against dedicated power shears and hand snips. For daily HVAC or roofing work in 20 gauge and lighter, owner reports say it earns its keep. For the occasional straight cut around the house, a good pair of snips may do.
Which model this is
This page covers the Malco TS1 TurboShear, the original sheet-metal TurboShear, ASIN B0000AQK7C. Do not confuse it with the TS1S sold at Home Depot, which is listed for steel mesh, ductwork and auto body panels. Malco’s category page also lists distinct heads: TSHD for 18-gauge work, TSCM for corrugated, TSMD double-cut, TSV1 vinyl, TSF1 and TSF2 fiber cement, TSNS1 slate, TSPC1 and TSPC2 rotary panel cutters.
Sources
Manufacturer:
Independent reviews:
- No independent instrumented test was found for this tool type.
Owner reports:
Retailers:
