Sawing, drilling, filing and almost any other procedure which cuts metal or plastic invariably leaves a burr. Whether it is a nasty, ragged edge or a smooth and nearly invisible sharpness, the burr presents a hazard to exposed flesh and clothing through the remainder of the object's construction, installation and use, not to mention it is ugly and looks amateurish. Most enthusiasts working at home, if they think to remove the burr, reach for a sander, grinder or file. Unfortunately, these methods can scatter material and abrasive all over the shop, and leave their own burr or rough edge. Excessive application of power can sometimes result in removal of too much material.
For most jobs, most of the time, the easy way to clean up edges is a NOGA Lisa-Burr deburring tool. It's another simple, relatively inexpensive tool a metal fabricator will reach for continually. After being introduced to the Lisa-Burr at a prior job, I bought my own. There are several versions available, but I chose the most general one, consisting of a handle and reversible holder with quick-release ends for large and small cutting bits, five of each for general purposes being included. I expect this blade selection to last me, oh, probably forever.
The Lisa-Burr will take the razor edge off a 3-ft-long piece of sheetmetal as quickly as you can move your arm, and just as easily get into tight corners with awkward angles. The inside edge of tubing is a snap. Blades pivot in the holder and can be used with a pushing or pulling motion. Depth of cut is controlled by a combination of the material's hardness and the force with which the tool is pressed against the work. If a snag is reached, the blade twists up and away from the workpiece, rather than digging in. The material removed usually lands nearby, rather than flying across the room. Acquiring the technique may involve a short learning curve, but it is natural and soon becomes automatic. A vast array of specialized cutting heads and holders is available, as are various configurations of handles. The general-purpose blades shown here are available ground for left-handed users, as well as with special coatings and constructions for tough workpiece materials.
