Calendar April 13, 2021 03:31

For anyone setting themselves up with only the most versatile, useful tools they need to keep a kit fully functioning, a good metal bender has to come into the picture at some point. It is a really handy device for a wide range of projects in roofing, automotive work, construction, etc. As simple as its basic purpose is, you may be a bit unsure before purchasing one because of the different types you see available. Generally you will find there to be two types of metal benders that you will want to consider using. For those who know a fair amount about metal bending and are simply weighing their options, consider this a quick little rundown of what you should keep in mind when shopping. And if metal bending sounds more like a superpower to you than a construction tool, just keep reading. We’ll make things a bit more simple.

What is a metal bender?

A metal bender is a tool used to manipulate metal and bend it at an angle so that it is easier to work with for certain projects. Metal benders ideally should be precise, consistent throughout the material, and able to operate smoothly without damaging the material.

Portable Benders

A smaller, handheld metal bender is the less expensive option out of the two types and the most easy to manage since it is so easy to carry with you on-site as needed. This especially comes in handy when roofing. The main drawback is that it cannot work on certain types of metal, but for someone who works with softer materials or does not need to use it too often, that should not become an issue.

Sheet Metal Brake

A sheet metal brake is a larger device used to bend metal of a wide range of gauges at higher tensile strength. This is the stronger, more heavy duty option for bending metal and is very useful when it is something that you need to do quite regularly. It also comes at a higher price point than the smaller counterpart, making it more of an investment. It is larger and more stationary, making it more difficult to move around with you. With this device, you are truly committing to metal bending frequently and want a tool to make it much easier the whole way through.

Just as promised, that was a pretty simple and clean breakdown of the two types of metal benders you may want to add to your life. You can get the smaller, more portable tool, or the larger, more heavy duty brake to get the job done. If you are still on the fence about which metal bender is best for your purposes, or you have a good idea of which one you want to go with, you should visit John Stortz & Son online. They not only have metal benders available to purchase, but also additional information on the uses of metal benders. Take your time looking over some of their resources to learn more about this type of equipment.

Posted April 13, 2021 03:31

Calendar December 29, 2020 08:15

To others who have no experience with sheet metal roofing, it might seem like a simple or straightforward process. While it isn’t rocket science, it would be completely ill-advised to assume that it isn’t a highly involved series of processes that require unique skills and a number of specialized tools.

Among the tin snips, nibblers, seamers, edging tools, gutter saws and other specialized tools that sheet metal roofers use are metal bending tools. Each of these categories of tools produces a highly specific effect in the sheet metal medium, and bending tools are no different. The only difference that does exist is in the effect itself.

Whereas cutting tools create marks or incisions in sheet metal or separate sections, bending tools, unsurprisingly, bend the sheet metal according to various prerequisite criteria. Bending tools range from simple models like pliers to more advanced powered seamers, brakes, rollers and everything in between.

The basic premise behind the operation of a metal bending tool is that it concentrates and multiplies mechanical advantage as a certain section of sheet metal, such as at the edge, in order to produce a bend, a carve, a roll or even a seam. The exact alteration to be made in the sheet metal will vary according to the tool but the basic premise does not change.

For example, the Draco Disc Bender is a specific metal bending tool that can be found online at Stortz.com and is used primarily for creating full 180 degree hems from a 90 degree flange that exists at the edge of a sheet of metal. It does this with the help of a unique latch that enables the user to “attach” the edge of the sheet metal at any given point, at which point it can be rolled and worked along the edge, bending the sheet incrementally until the desired angle is achieved.

A disc bender like this is able to create crisp bends in metal through the help of the disc that holds the edge in place and guides the motion of the tool as it is worked along the edge. Other benders may use support plates or rollers in order to create the bend at the desired angle, and they can be used to create a number of different bends in sheet metal, especially along the edge.

Some sheet metal bending tools are also used for creating seams at which point metal sheets can be joined together. In that manner, some forming tools fall under the category of bending tools since they technically create a bend in the metal as well.

If you’re looking for metal bending or forming tools and want to learn more about the different types, even to see videos of them in action as a testimonial, make sure you visit John Stortz & Son at Stortz.com. You can trust them as a resource for learning more about these tools, but you can also find a large collection of unique and specialized metal roofing and bending tools (among many others) right on their website as well. Quality and customer service are key concerns for their business - if you have any questions while you shop, call them at 888-847-3456.

Posted December 29, 2020 08:15

Calendar December 2, 2020 08:22

Brick hammers are also known as stonemason’s hammers or bricklayer’s hammers, and are specialized tools that are highly valued by craftsmen that work with stone or bricks. Consisting of a handle, typically in wood or a synthetic material like fiberglass, and a special head, these tools enable masons and bricklayers to make fairly precise cuts and alterations to brick or stone.

The head of a mason’s hammer has a flat face which is typically square, and serves the same function as the face of any flat striking tool. It can be used to drive nails or stakes or to deliver a breaking blow to stone. To that end, the other end of a brick hammer’s head is flattened and sharpened like an adze or a chisel. This end of the head is used to make scoring cuts in rocks or bricks before that section of the rock can be broken off.

Although this sounds like a cumbersome procedure, skilled masons can actually make fairly precise cuts and breaks to stone or bricks with little more than a stone hammer and some experience. If you’ve ever seen a mason cutting a stone into a detailed, accurately sized shape before fitting it into a space, then you know just how accurate masons can be with these.

In the event that you were looking for a quality brick hammer, then you’ll want to look for some things like a popular pattern, a well balanced design with a strong handle, and a head made from tough steel that has been adequately hardened.

Any mason’s hammer that lacks any of these qualities will end up being more of a headache than an investment. For example, poorly balanced hammers will cause you to fatigue prematurely, whereas poor quality handles can break or cause hotspots. Even a hammer head that has not been properly hardened will dull too soon, impacting the degree of precision with which the tool can be used.

You can search for all of these things piecemeal, or you can save some time just by shopping at John Stortz & Son on their website, Stortz.com. For over a hundred years - since 1853 - John Stortz and son has been providing high quality tools to its customers. Based in Old City, Philadelphia, Stortz’s clients have relied on them for hand tools and powered tools for sheet metal cutting, masonry, roofing, soldering, and other specialty tools for many years.

John Stortz & Son is basically about one thing, and that is providing dependable quality tools to its customers. They recognize that a tool should be a lifetime investment and that when you invest in quality up front, it will serve you well in the long run. You can go in for a dime or in for a dollar, and sometimes a dollar is for life.

You can learn more about their tools and other products at Stortz.com, where you’ll find, among other things, brick hammers and other masonry tools for your trade. Read up on them there and give them a call at 888-847-3456 if you have additional questions that you need addressed.

Posted December 2, 2020 08:22