RSS Feed
August 4, 2021 03:16
Hemming Tools For Sheet MetalIf you’re someone who’s been working on roofs for a long time, you probably have developed your own method. Though the end result is always the same, each individual roofer has a different process. Each step of the process requires a different tool. Just like how the method itself varies from worker to worker, so will the preference in tools.
The tools will also vary depending on the specific job and material that you’re working with. For example, a slate roofer will need certain tools such as slate rippers, cutters, hammers, and hooks. The tools are specially designed to install slate roofs. If you’re working with sheet metal roofs you’ll need things like sheet metal benders, hammers, edge folding tools, seamers, and last but certainly not least, sheet metal cutters.
Different types of Sheet Metal Cutters
Nibblers
Nibblers are excellent sheet metal cutting tools. They are made so that you can easily remove a piece of metal from the shear so that there is minimal waviness or distortion. TRUMPF Nibblers are well-made, high-quality cutters. They are highly maneuverable and can handle angled cuts and radii much easier than some other cutters.
The battery is excellent as well. It has a run-time that is higher than other similar tools on the market. Don’t worry about carrying unnecessarily heavy tools around either. This cutter is lightweight, weighing in at a little over 3 pounds. Vibrations are minimized allowing you to cut edges with ease. It’s a lightweight, smooth tool with a long charge. What’s not to love?
Drill Attachment Shears
Drill attachments are always handy enhancements. They allow you to get specific jobs done right, without having to go out and buy an entirely new tool. Not only are drill attachment shears inexpensive, but you can find quality versions that will cut sheet metal effortlessly.
The Malco Turbo Shear HD drill attachment is one of the best that you’ll find. It’s very useful to have because it can be used for many different things. Obviously, it excels when it comes to sheet metal roofing, bt it is also good for metal ductwork and stone-coated shingles as well. The blades are sturdy and durable, so you won’t have to worry about throwing them out after a single-use.
Slitters
Slitters are a very unique sheet metal cutting tools. Many roofers will use handheld slitters that have cutting wheels or discs. By pulling across coil stock you can make clean cuts with these easy to use tools. A hand slitter is an especially good sheet metal cutter when it comes to pulling across coil stock and making precise cuts.
If you are looking for a sheet metal cutter for your next roofing job the best place to get one is stortz.com. Their website is a convenient one-stop-shop that has all the roofing tools that you’ll need for the job. Whether you’re looking for a slitter, a shear drill attachment, or a nibbler, Stortz has you covered for all your sheet metal needs.
Posted August 4, 2021 03:16
Reply
July 30, 2021 06:03
In general, when you think about winter, you think about snow and what it does to your property. You want to keep the ice pack from avalanching off of your roof—further damaging property, people, and plants below. No matter how you feel about snow, it will always be inevitably part of winter and the only way around it, especially if you have a metal roof or living in an area prone to snow, you may want to think about putting snow guards on your metal roofing to retain snow from falling.
Snow Guards are rooftop devices that aid in snow slides, the threatening movement of snow and ice, by letting melt completely or fall off on a small scale. Snow guards hold equally dispersed snow and ice at rest on your metal roof. Metal roofing snow guards are also referred to as, snow stops, snow-guards, snow blocks, snow brackets, or snowbirds and are commonly installed on commercial metal roof buildings.
Everyone will benefit from safer roofs, fewer complaints of avalanching snow and ice, less harm to roof vents, and overall tranquility during the winter season. Metal roofing snow guard is a feasible, economical addition to any sloped metal roof in winter climates.
Does My Home Need Snow Guards?
If you currently reside in an area prone to snowfall during the winter months, it is highly advised that you begin installing a metal roofing snow guard. As snow piles up, ice packs form, massive snow gets heavier, and your metal roof will likely collapse.
Snow guards are designed to keep your roof and the objects below it safe. So, if you’ve ever experienced ice or snow falling off your roof, wrecking your property, then you most definitely need snow guards!
How Are They Installed?
When installing snow guards to your metal roofing, you have to carefully refer to the installation guides provided by the manufacturer. Normally, snow guards can be fixed on a metal roof in two different two ways: with an adhesive or fastened with a clamp. A clamp method is highly recommended by most manufacturers though, this is to avoid any avoidable impaling to your metal roof. Different snow guards are designed for different types of metal roofs, they could be corrugated or standing steam and many others. It is rather crucial that you follow the instructions specific to your metal roof.
Falling ice and snow can cause wreckage to a homeowner's property. This not only damages your roof and gutters but also plants or people below. Snow guards help shield your home and property from these possible damages. It is a good idea to install snow guards before the winter season comes or if it's already here for some to avoid the problems mentioned above.
If you have any questions about snow guards for your metal roof, get in touch with your trusted roofing specialist today, or you can also take a look at some of the metal roofing snow guards available at stortz.com for your snow guards needs.
Posted July 30, 2021 06:03
July 20, 2021 01:37
Let's try to unpack some of the questions you might have regarding metal roof snow guards. Whether you are a professional in the industry looking to expand your skill set into metal roofing and snow retention, or you are a homeowner improving your property bit by bit, this is useful information to have. By the time we are done here, you should feel more confident about metal roof snow guards and determining when they should be installed in a property.
What Are Metal Roof Snow Guards For?
Snow guards make up a form of snow retention system for roofing, meaning they are used to help manage the amount of snow that falls onto rooftops. When rooftops are overloaded with compacted snow, the chances of an avalanche falling increases greatly. Small amounts of snow do not cause too much trouble, but a steady stream of compacted snow and ice build-up can have dangerous consequences. For one thing, it can fall and hit whatever lies underneath it. This concern goes even further when you consider the potential of someone being in the way of the roof avalanche. Metal roof snow guards help you to manage that concern by catching onto the snow and preventing it from falling down where you would not want it to. After some time passes, the snow remaining on the roof will melt away and pour out gently and safely. Essentially, metal roof snow guards help you control how the snow on your roofing falls over the edge.
Does My Home Need Them?
Now we can move on to determine if your property would benefit from having metal roof snow guards in place. This is something that you should seriously consider if your home has metal roofing installed with sloped sides. That is setting yourself up for a difficult situation in the winter if the precipitation slides off of your roof. The metal does not provide enough friction for the snow to slowly fall off on its own at a moderate pace. Instead, snow and ice remain where they settle on the roof and build up until an avalanche occurs. This is especially dangerous if you live in an area where the winter snowfall is heavy and steady. You may have seen this already throughout the winters past. If that’s the case, then you will want to count your blessings that no one and no things were hurt. You will also want to consider installing metal roof snow guards if there are children or physically impaired people in your home since they may be caught up under a rooftop avalanche. It is best for everyone's safety if snow guards were in place to prevent such accidents.
All of this information should have helped you develop a better understanding of when to install snow guards onto a roof. Generally, any home with metal roofing in an area that receives snowfall would benefit from having snow guards in place as a preventive measure. Take a look at some of the metal roof snow guards available at stortz.com to learn more about them and to stock up when you are ready to install.
Posted July 20, 2021 01:37
July 19, 2021 02:52
When working with sheet metal that needs to be bent, cut, or manipulated in some way or another, one of the first tools people often think of is the sheet metal brake. It is great for use on a wide range of metals in different gauges and can make fairly precise bends to the measure you think. They are great tools to have in your back pocket if you do metal roofing or perform any other projects with large amounts of sheet metal. The issue with them is that they are not the most practical tools to have around. A sheet metal brake is large and difficult to transport, so you might find it frustrating bringing one with you every time. For many projects, brakes are also overkill since you only need to bend smaller, more flexible segments of sheet metal. While they are great to have around if you really need them, you might also want to look at some other tools that are smaller and more convenient to use. Let's briefly go over a few examples from least to most precise.
PVC Hammers
PVC or rubberized hammers might be categorized as forming tools, meaning they are not meant to give you precise, defined bends like a sheet metal brake would, but they do help you get your metal to the general shape that you want. The PVC or rubberized head is an important aspect of these hammers because it will help keep your metal from becoming scuffed or scratched, thereby protecting the integrity of the material. These are quite simple to use and mainly rely on the amount of force you choose to use for the given project.
Roller Benders
Roller bender tools are great for anyone who has to work with sheet metal regularly for various projects. They are able to handle different types of metal and give you clean, accurate bends. A high-quality roller bending tool should also be able to perform the task without causing any damage to the metal either. This is a good option if you are looking for something that can handle lots of different tasks easily, while still being small and portable.
Hand Seamers
This is where precision reaches its peak. Hand seamers and pliers are the tools you want to reach for when you want to make small, precise bends like for finishing work on edges. You can create very defined, incremental bends with a hand seamer that you will have a hard time creating on a sheet metal brake.
It is really up to you to determine which are the best tools for you to work with based on how often you work with sheet metal and what you need to do with it. But now that you have an idea of your options, you can make an informed decision of which tools you want in your supply. While you are looking for handheld tools as alternatives to a sheet metal brake, you will want to visit stortz.com. They have a great selection of high-quality tools for working with sheet metal, so you will be able to find what you need there.
Posted July 19, 2021 02:52
July 7, 2021 02:14
By now, those who work in the roofing or HVAC industry know the story of Mark W. Keymer. He started his own tool-making business when he came up with his revolutionary pipe crimper. A few years later, the brand Malco Tools was associated with time-saving tools by contractors and workers from all over the country.
This tool crafting tradition continues after 70 years as Malco regularly introduces new hand and powered tools for our industry.
As metal roof installers, we have a set of favorite Malco tools that we can´t live without and we wanted to go over some of them today.
Our favorite Malco Tools for Metal Roof Installation
Corrugated metal sheets are a favorite for those who appreciate durability and affordability. If you´re installing sheets of corrugated metal, you can´t go out without Malco´s TSCM turboshear. It boasts a universal drill clamp, and its rotating head allows for enough clearance for cutting hard-to-reach edges. It is extremely versatile as it can easily cut through corrugated metal sheets, always leaving a rust-resistant sealed edge. I personally love how it can be used for detail work, like curved or square edges for easy duct and vents installation.
Its sister, the TSHD Turboshear, is better for flat metal panels, especially when you want to create standing seams out of a flat metal panel. It cuts through heavy gauges like butter and offers the same maneuverability as the TSCM.
Our tool belt is never complete unless we carry a sturdy set of hand snips. We usually go with any brand, but we recently gave Malco snips a try and we could feel their strength right away. We are particularly fond of their offset hand snip which allows us to notch tight standing seams, and create foldable grip edge flaps on metal panels with real ease.
Now, when the time comes to fold those flaps, you need to give them a clean and crisp bend. Many like to use hand seamers for the hob, but it takes too long, and uniformity quickly becomes an issue. For this job, we got us the 3-station edge rollers a few months ago and getting straight standing seams has never been easier. It lets you accurately measure the bend´s depth, so you will have a completely uniform bend along the entire length of the panel´s edge. Moreover, you can retract the 2 external stations leaving the middle one free to create curved bends with ease. A total delight.
Those are our three favorite Malco tools for roof installation and repair. They make metalwork a breeze. Of course, there are many more useful tools to carry on your truck, but they are more project-dependent. I recommend you visit stortz.com to check out what they have. Stortz has prided itself on providing high-quality roofing tools for many years. They have been a trusted brand and business for over 100 years now. Visit their site today to get a cutting tool that can make your job a little easier.
Posted July 7, 2021 02:14
July 6, 2021 06:22
Before you head over to the next job site to install or repair gutters, you want to double check your equipment to make sure that you have all the right tools in your kit. Here is a list of three helpful gutter tools that can change the way you do your job. If you somehow do not have these tools in your kit already, you should definitely consider picking up some new items.
1. Gutter Clamp
A gutter clamp is a great tool that can make your job much easier. It can clamp onto two separate pieces where you are working so that they can stay in place as you work and move around. With the two separate pieces of gutter held in place, you can move around more easily and free up one of your hands to continue working. It is incredibly easy to use, even intuitive, so you do not need to have much experience to work with these gutter tools either. Even beginners will be able to work with these simple tools. The fact that they are so small and lightweight makes them even better because it makes them so much easier to transport and carry with you as you are working along the edge of a roof. You do not have to struggle to bring out your gutter clamps and quickly hold two pieces in place.
2. Gutter Bracket Bender
Gutter bracket benders are great tools to have when manipulating your materials to fit into the project better. Just as the name implies, bracket benders are used to bend gutter brackets to whatever measurement you need. With the brackets at the right angle, it is much easier to fit your hanging gutters into the space comfortably and securely. While bracket benders are not quite as small as the clamps, they are also very easy to use with a simple leverage motion.
3. Downspout Expander
Downspout expanders are fantastic gutter tools to have when you need to add new downspouts to handle overflowing. You will have to expand the gutter so that it will be able to fit in the new downspout easily. The downspout expander widens the gutters so they fit everything well, making your work there much easier. It also makes the final result look better because you do not have to fight the materials to fit properly. A sign of a good craftsman is being able to leave the final project looking clean and polished.
With all of these gutter tools in your kit, you should be ready to tackle any project with absolute confidence that you have what you need to get the job done in good time. Each of these tools greatly helps to make your job easier and more efficient so you can work faster and run into fewer problems along the way. They help you do your work more smoothly and with better results so that you and the client are both satisfied. To get your kit fully prepared, you can shop for any of these gutter tools over at stortz.com where they offer high-quality professional tools and equipment to support you through all of your projects.
Posted July 6, 2021 06:22
June 22, 2021 02:47
Before you go online and purchase the first paint scraper listing you see, you should take the time to explore your options for this tool and how you want to perform. Let’s take a quick look at paint scrapers and what you should know before buying one.
What They Are Used For
A paint scraper is a fairly simple tool in design, but can be used on many occasions to work with different materials. As long as you know what you are doing and have a good, sturdy paint scraper in your toolkit, you will probably find that it will help you out on many occasions. Of course we know that they are meant to scrape paint off of various surfaces like doors, walls, door frames, or other indoor structures. They make it easy and efficient to remove paint without damaging the material underneath. You can just scrape through the older material, potentially using the help of an item like a heat gun to gently work the paint off.
What to Look For
Since this is a tool that you will likely come to rely on over time, you will want to shop for something high-quality right out the gate. You want something that will last for years even after being used so often on various projects. Look for a paint scraper with a strong, sturdy handle and a good grip so it will feel natural to hold onto consistently and the handle will not loosen up and break off over time. You especially want a tool that can easily be sharpened repeatedly as needed so that the blades remain sharp and effective. Try to find reviews or descriptions of the products you are looking at to see if they claim the scraper tool does not leave a large amount of dust behind so you can work cleanly.
Shapes of Paint Scrapers
Rounded
Rounded paint scrapers are ideal for working around curved, concave surfaces that would ordinarily be challenging. Their shape allows you to move them around curves and bends easily so that you will be able to do your work quickly, and without bothering your hands or wrists too much. Paint scrapers could be entirely rounded like ovals, or they could be more angular shapes with a rounded corner to work with.
Rectangular or Triangular
Rectangular paint scraper tools are great for covering larger surface areas at a time. They allow you to work quickly and efficiently on large, flat surface areas. Triangular ones are similar because of their flat sides, but come with the added benefit of their distinct corners which can work into sharp, difficult corners or edges.
Regardless of which shapes you prefer working with, you can find some great options for paint scrapers that will hold up to steady use at stortz.com. Their tools are known for being well-crafted and high-quality so you can be sure they will stand up to the work you put them through. Their shop has paint scrapers in all shapes and sizes, so all that is left is to decide which ones are best suited for your needs.
Posted June 22, 2021 02:47
June 7, 2021 07:56
Sheet metal roofing is a job that requires multiple tools to complete the job, or at least get it done correctly in a timely manner. These metal roofing tools range from metal benders, whether they be used in a shop or portable benders used at the job site, to smaller tools like tinner’s hammer. Today we’re going to talk about a tool that can fit right into your toolbox, but that is also a bit more complex than some may know, and that is tin snips
Tin Snips can be a sheet metal roofer’s best friend if he has the correct pair. There are so many different roofing tool brands and types of snips to choose from, that if it may be difficult to choose the right one for each particular job even for a roofing professional. One website that has a vast variety of snips for sale, is stortz.com. Let’s talk about each kind of snips that they have to offer.
Circular Snips
Circular Snips are a very popular kind of snips when it comes to sheet metal roofing. They are used for circular cuts thanks to the circular blade. They are especially handy for standing seam detail work when it comes to eave trimming. Stubai is the most popular brand of snips when it comes to roofing and they make excellent circular snips that can be found right on Stortz’s site.
Pelican Snips
Pelican snips are an excellent choice when it comes to making long, straight cuts. There are two major brands that are trusted when it comes to these snips: Stubai and Freund. Both of their pelican snips have a 3” blade depth. Freund’s are made from high alloy steel, but when it comes to their pelican snips, a right-handed person may find it difficult to see the cutting line without left-cut snips.
Offset Snips
Offset snips are great when it comes to straight cuts or angles. Klenk makes an amazing pair of snips that can handle angles and circles with ease. This makes it simple to cut round pipe. It can leave both ends completely clean. The handles are up and away from the metal of the snips making it easy to protect your hands. They can make a cut of 1 ⅜” even though the handles are 5” apart.
Other Important Roofing Tools
Safety should be your number one priority when using any metal roofing tool. Because of this, there are Sheet metal craftsman gloves available so that you don’t cut your hand. Snips may not seem as dangerous as a power tool or other bigger and sharper roofing tools, but when not in the hands of a roofing expert it is easy to chop a finger off if you’re not careful.
There are plenty of other options available like the Masc Nibbler and Combination Tin Snips but you can find out more about them on Stortz’s site. All the snips options you could ever dream of are available on one convenient site. Visit stortz.com for all of your sheet metal roofing tool needs.
Posted June 7, 2021 07:56
April 30, 2021 01:05
There is not one single tool that any given roofer needs to have before ascending the ladder. It all comes down to the medium that the roofer is working with and what the job at hand entails. However, for those that work with wood or stone shingles, such as slate, a shingle remover is one of the more important tools among them.
Specialized hammers, shears, benders and marking tools are all important for roofers, some of them for sheet metal and others for stone, but a shingle remover that is purpose built for performance is a boon for any roofer that specifically works with shingle roofs.
Some shingle tools are poorly specialized and some roofers may take to less-than-specialized opinions for prying up shingles for removal. However, when you want to preserve the underlying roofing material or the shingles themselves, a well-designed tool will go a long way.
Consider a tool like the Stortz Slate Ripper, that you can find online at Stortz.com, and while you’re shopping, don’t let the name fool you. This “slate ripper” is useful for far more than just removing and replacing slate shingles - although it is tops for that.
The Stortz Slate Ripper shingle remover features one piece forged construction and a thin, spring tempered blade that is durable, tough, and ideal for sliding underneath shingles and shakes. When used properly, this tool can be used to remove shingles and shakes without breaking or damaging adjoining pieces.
This tool is also simple to use and highly effective. It’s designed to be slid underneath a shingle or a shake; the spring-tempered blade has a divot that can be seated against the nail that secures the shingle. Once seated, the handle of the tool can be struck with a hammer to easily and cleanly remove the nail. The entire tool features simple construction and the reinforced handle is intended to stand up to a lifetime of hard use, although you can also get replacement handles and replaceable blades for some of their models.
The blade also has notches on the trailing edge of the blade that can be used to remove loose nails or pull them out once the nail has been unseated. The tool is ergonomic, features simple construction, and is rock solid. Like everything else available at John Stortz & Son, this tool is built with the intention of being a lifetime investment. There’s not much you can do to make a simple tool like this flinch, and it’s equally effective on wood shakes and shingles as it is on stone shingles.
It is also only one of the specialty tools that Stortz.com provides for its customers with respect to shingle and tile roofing. Their collection also contains a variety of other styles of shingle removal tools and slate rippers, along with many other specialized tools for both slate and sheet metal roofers.
Visit their website, Stortz.com, to learn more about what they provide and the specifics of their products. You can also get in touch with them at 888-847-3456.
Posted April 30, 2021 01:05
April 22, 2021 03:09
You’re probably familiar with an all-purpose hammer or a claw hammer. It’s a simple striking tool with a head featuring a flat face for driving nails and spikes. Specialized hammers may have a claw on the head opposite the striking face that can be used to pry out nails once they have been driven.
These types of tools, general as they are, belong to a class of much broader striking tools and specialized hammers that are meticulously engineered to provide very precise functions in the hands of skilled users. One of these is a brick hammer, which may also be called a mason’s hammer.
Brick hammers, like claw hammers, have a flat striking face, just like claw hammers. However, at the opposite end of the head, in place of a prying claw, they have a flattened, chisel shaped striking head. This is used to make precise cuts and alterations in pieces of stone or brick, in a surprisingly accurate fashion.
Not to suggest that there isn’t a significant amount of skill involved in the process, because there is, but the manner in which cuts and alterations can be made to a piece of stone or brick can be pretty succinctly described. You’ll need a piece of the same (brick or stone) and you’ll also need a brick or mason hammer to accomplish this.
First, plan out in your mind the piece of the stone that you wish to remove from the stock. Then, taking the chiselled face of the mason hammer, and using a sharp, abrupt movement, make small marks in the stone. Create a series of marks around the stone that you intend to remove from the stock, girdling the stone. The idea here is to remove very small pieces or chips of stone from the stock, creating a natural boundary along which a fracture will travel when the stone is struck.
Once you have completely encircled the section of the stone you wish to remove, turn the hammer around and orient the flat face toward the stone. Using a sharp but powerful stroke, hit the stone squarely along the boundary. It should break cleanly along the outline you have created using the chiselled face.
Of course, it could take a few, or many, tries before you can get this right. Masons and bricklayers spend their whole lives becoming proficient in the use of mason tools like these. That is the basic process for making alterations to a piece of stone or brick as specified, but don’t expect it to be easy!
For those of you looking for the tool itself rather than a blank tutorial on how to use it, you’ll find quality awaiting you at Stortz.com. John Stortz & Son has been providing high quality, specialized tools to its customers for over a hundred and fifty years, including but not limited to masonry tools like brick hammers. Visit their website listed above to see what they offer, and if you have any questions on any of their products, give them a call at 888-847-3456.
Posted April 22, 2021 03:09