Malco TS1 TurboShear: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-11
Summary
Owners report clean, fast cuts in 20-gauge and lighter sheet metal, but the tool is sensitive to drill tilt, its jaw mouth is too small for steel framing studs, and it cuts straight and to the left only. It needs no power, filters or consumables of its own, so yearly running cost is effectively zero; the only possible outlay is replacement jaws, and no price or interval for them is in the sources. No non-Amazon retail price was captured, so a price verdict has to wait on a current Menards, Lowe’s, SupplyHouse or Home Depot quote.
Common problems and fixes
- Ruffled edge from drill tilt — owners warn that the slightest tilt of the drill leaves a ruffled edge; practice on scrap before cutting finished material. No TS1-specific warranty term is published, so this is a technique issue rather than a covered defect. [1]
- Jaw mouth too small for steel framing studs — one owner reports the mouth does not open wide enough to grip steel framing studs without manhandling. No fix is given beyond material selection; choose a different head or snips for studs. [1]
- Jaw clearance needs adjusting between thicknesses — out-of-box clearance may not suit every gauge; adjust with the 3/16 in set screw on the back of the tool when switching materials. [1]
Parts and consumables
- No other replaceable parts or consumables reported. [1]
Yearly running cost
The TS1 draws power from the drill you already own and the sources specify no filters, pods, fluids or subscription, so there is no recurring cost to compute. The only possible outlay is replacement jaws if they wear, and neither a price nor an interval for them appears in the sources, so no yearly figure can be given. Not enough data.
When it is a good buy
No US retail price was captured in this research pass (Menards, Lowe’s, SupplyHouse and Home Depot pages were checked but no price appeared in the fetched snippets), so no price threshold can be set from the sources. The tool is a low-cost accessory for someone who already owns a compatible 1200 rpm drill (minimum 14.4 V-DC or max 7 A-AC); for daily HVAC or roofing work in 20-gauge and lighter metal, owner reports say it earns its keep, while for occasional straight cuts a good pair of hand snips may do. Named alternatives: hand snips for occasional or right-hand cuts; the Malco TSHD head for 18-gauge work, since the TS1 is rated for 20-gauge galvanized. [1][7][8]