Metalworking is the process of working with metals to create individual parts, assemblies, or large-scale structures. Metalworking provides the endless potential to create an array of products, from ships to engine parts and fine jewellery. As such, metalworking corresponds to a wide range of skills, processes and tools.
If you are thinking of working with steel, here are some of the essential metalworking tools you should have under your belt.
Bandsaw
A bandsaw is a power saw with a long, sharp blade consisting of a continuous band of toothed metal, stretched between two or more wheels to cut metal material. Consider investing in a high-quality bandsaw for cutting steel. Bandsaws are a useful tool for cutting metal which is much safer than most other cutting tools.
Metal Nibbler
Nibblers can be manual or powered and are effective for cutting shapes in steel and can be used as a standalone tool, a drill attachment, or an air nibbler. One type of nibbler operates much like a punch and die, with a blade that moves in a linear fashion against a fixed die, while another kind operates similar to tin snips, but shears the sheet along two parallel tracks, rolling up the waste in a tight spiral as it cuts.
Flux Core Welder
Often when people think of metalworking, welding is the first thing that comes to mind. Flux core welding is a wire welding process in which a continuous hollow wire electrode is fed through the welding gun into the weld joint. The great thing about flux core welding is that you can weld almost anywhere with ease. It doesn’t require an external shielding gas, such as carbon dioxide or argon, to protect the weld pool from contamination. Instead, a flux compound contained within the wire reacts with the welding arc to form a gas that protects the weld pool. If you are new to metalworking and welding, this is the most accessible welding tool and is excellent for beginners.
Die Grinder
Die grinders and are a handheld power tool which is used for grinding, sanding, honing, polishing a material. While die cuts are most commonly used for metal, they can also be used on plastic and wood. Die grinders are a versatile tool and when combined with the correct attachment, can complete a wide variety of different tasks such as polishing, sanding, cutting, grinding, or honing metal materials.
Press Break
A press brake is a machine pressing tool for bending sheet and plate material, most commonly sheet metal. It forms predetermined bends by clamping the workpiece between a matching punch and die. While this tool might take up a bit of room, its the best way for you to bend sheet metal effectively and with ease.
Few materials can compare with the strength, durability and versatility that you get from steel, and with the correct tools, the potential for some pretty incredible creations is limitless.
If you need quality steel that is fabricated to suit your unique needs, contact Steel Fabrication Services today. Our team of expert structural steel fabricators have the experience and knowledge to answer any of your questions and will ensure that you find the best solution to suit your needs. To contact us today, simply call, fax, email or drop by our Brookvale location.
