Tools Every Metal Worker Needs

The variety of metalworking tools available for your home workshop is astounding. You'll need to choose priorities if you have yet to have six figures to spend on your shop. Which equipment is most crucial for metalworking? In this overview, the basics are covered.

Every workshop you visit will have a wide variety of tools. No matter the situation, tools like hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches are always useful. As you join industry shops, tools become increasingly specialized to fulfill the strictest standards. Regardless of your area of expertise, knowing the required tools for the job is crucial to setting up your workshop properly.

This concept is critical for metal fabrication companies because the wrong tool might fail your business. Here is a closer look at the necessary tools for any metal shop.

First, you should remember that dealing with metal may be very dangerous. Therefore, it's crucial to keep oneself safe. Don't approach these devices if you wear loose clothing or jewelry. Make sure you wear your PPE at all times. You only need some comfortable leather gloves and safety glasses for most jobs.

10 TOOLS EVERY METAL WORKER NEEDS

1. WELDING MACHINE

Any metal shop needs to fuse two or more metal pieces. Welding is a difficult technique to master. However, technical advancements have made it simpler for amateurs and enthusiasts to begin working with metal. MIG and flux-core arc welders are two types of welding equipment to consider if you're a newbie to welding. Both are helpful, but one is better than the other sometimes.

A typical MIG welder employs argon as a shielding gas to prevent porosity. It is wire-fed equipment. This is because you can regulate the gas for a clean weld regardless of the thickness or type of metal you are welding.

The drawback is that you can't use this equipment outside or in the wind because gas is shot out of the nozzle. Since the gas (and welding process) can be adjusted on these machines, they also have the added benefit of welding different metals, such as aluminum.

A flux core welder is an alternative to the wire feed welder. The main distinction between flux core and MIG is that with flux core, gas is released on the burn of the flux. This substance inside the wire core shields the weld and prevents porosity. This is unlike gas blasting out of the nozzle during MIG.

The benefits and drawbacks here are identical to those of a MIG machine. A flux core welder can be used outside despite its dirty outputs.

Another popular choice is the traditional stick welder (a shielded metal arc). Even while this welding method is significantly simpler, it is messy and only works with thicker metals (down to 18 gauge vs. 26 gauge for MIG or flux-core).

A TIG welder is the cheapest but most accurate choice. It requires more time and effort to learn TIG welding. The trade-off is that you can weld any metal in various sizes, from aluminum to stainless steel.

In light of this, a welder is one of the few workplace tools that call for particular PPE or personal protective equipment. Ensure you have a proper helmet, leather, and gloves before welding. When welding, avoid wearing fleece or flannel. They have a high chance of fire.

2. BAND SAW

Cutting straight lines in metal is one of metal shops' basics. Another essential piece of equipment is a band saw that works well. It includes two wheels and a motor that quickly rotates a metal blade with teeth between them. A band saw is safer than a portable saw to cut through metal. Furthermore, clean cuts are simpler. And the foundation of good work is clean cuts.

Brushes should be included to prevent chips from clogging the blade on a metalworking band saw. The blade is protected, lubricated, and cleaned by a fluid cooling system.

Two different band saw orientations allow for a wide variety of cuts. A vertical band saw requires you to slide your metal over the blade. This will enable you to create a wide variety of shapes and angles. On the other hand, a horizontal band saw secure your metal. You push the rotating blade through the item when cutting materials to length.

3. INDUSTRIAL SOAP AND INDUSTRIAL WIPES

Industrial soap (hand cleaners) and wipes can have several applications in the welding industry due to their ability to clean and degrease metal surfaces effectively. 

• Before welding, it's essential to prepare the metal surfaces by removing contaminants such as oils, greases, and dirt. Scrubnutz heavy-duty cleaning wipes can clean and degrease these surfaces, ensuring a clean and weldable surface.
• Welding equipment, including torches, nozzles, and tips, can become coated with welding spatter, flux, and other residues during welding. Industrial cleaning wipes can help remove these deposits, extending the life of the equipment and ensuring optimal performance.
• Welders often get their hands dirty and covered in metal dust, oils, and other contaminants during welding. Scrubnutz Industrial hand cleaner can be used to clean and sanitize the hands of welders, promoting good hygiene and preventing skin irritation.
• Industrial cleaning wipes can perform heavy-duty cleaning tasks such as cleaning welding tables, workstations, and other surfaces to prevent contamination and maintain a safe working environment.
• Some industrial soaps and cleaning wipes contain rust inhibitors, which can be beneficial in preventing the formation of rust on metal surfaces, particularly on welds exposed to moisture or corrosive environments.

4. ANGLE GRINDER

The angle grinder is one of the metalworking tools with the highest return on investment when used alone. It can also be used for cleaning, polishing, and grinding down welds. Cutting is also part of their job. All on a reasonably priced mobile device. Any professional will tell you that they use this tool every day.

An angle grinder has a rotating disc with a high speed (up to 12,000 rpm) perpendicular to the machine. The kind of work you can accomplish depends on a wide range of disc attachments. These machines also vary in size. Pneumatics, electricity, or both can power them. Pick a corded model for longer use. For maximum portability, go cordless.

Angle grinders powered by compressed air are strong and portable. The obvious disadvantage is that an air compressor is required. The good news is that you can run a compressor that operates a pneumatic angle grinder if you have a three-phase converter.

5. BENCH GRINDER

Bench grinders are excellent multipurpose tools for forming, polishing, and honing metal. It is both straightforward and adaptable. The machine is benchtop, as the name implies. An engine turns a grinding wheel. To reduce the piece, you press your workpiece against it. A bench grinder includes two basic wheel types: a coarse wheel for rough work and a fine wheel for smoothing.

You can always use it to sharpen tools, shape metal components, or repair metal parts.

6. DRILL PRESS

If you know how to use the hand drill, why do you need a drill press? Accuracy and repeatability are two words. Drilling precise holes is simple, and you can do it consistently. Identical in size, depth, and a tidy, round shape. A drill press makes it easier to adhere to specifications, such as when drilling equal-sized holes in coat rack arms.

A drill press can be used for more than drilling circular holes in an emergency. A drill press can be converted into a milling machine by switching out the drill attachment for an end mill and adding a cross-slide vice. Just a word of caution—this configuration won't be particularly logical and requires patience to avoid damaging the machine.

7. PRESS BRAKE

The most common (and enjoyable) activity in a metalworking shop is sheet metal bending. A press brake is the most effective tool for metal flexibility, a major benefit.

Press brakes are the last topic we'll cover in this tutorial. However, it would help if you prepared for your press brake early in the business. It's most likely your store's largest and most expensive piece of machinery. (If you're only working with small bits, consider a benchtop one.)

The fundamental operation is to place your metal on a die and shape it by pressing it down with a punch. The punch force could be:

• HYDRAULI – greater force with less accuracy; less expensive
• PNEUMATIC – swift yet less potent
• ELECTRIC – Lower force with more accuracy; more expensive initially, but requires less upkeep
• MECHANICAL – Applied force through a flywheel; a less complex device with some potential safety issues.

8. PLASMA CUTTING TABLE

Any sheet metal shop would benefit from a plasma cutting table. It's the ideal tool for any project since it helps you cut through sheet metal accurately and precisely. You may quickly and easily cut shapes and designs into your metal sheets with a plasma cutter without worrying about wasting time or resources.

9. MARKING TOOLS

The goal of marking tools, which come in various sizes and forms, is to leave a visible trace on metal that can be later viewed. As a result, the worker can accurately measure and cut the metal without wasting time manually measuring and labeling it.

Many different marking instruments are available, but scribers, calipers, and dividers are some of the most popular and effective ones. While calipers are used to collect measurements and create precise lines on metal, scribers are used to make very minute marks or scratches on the substance. When you need to assemble regularly spaced holes or cuts on a piece of metal, dividers can be used to make evenly spaced marks.

10. WIRE CUTTERS

Wire cutters are essential, as any handyman worth his salt knows. Anyone who handles sheet metal will benefit from this gadget to keep their hands safe. They are frequently used to snip wire frayed ends but can also be used to trim pieces from sheet metal's frayed edges.

11. THROATLESS SHEARS

A skilled metal worker, like one who uses wire cutters, always leaves home with their throatless shears. This device can cut sheet metal in various patterns, including straight lines and curves.

This tool's ability to move metal around the blade makes it valuable. They frequently have broad handles that provide the leverage needed to remove extra stainless steel or aluminum. This tool is perfect when you must make complex or detailed cuts in metal.

Several criteria will influence your decision, including your budget, the types of metal you'll bend, and others. If you're a hobbyist, you can find a simple hydraulic system that works for you. Or, if you have enough time and ambition, you might construct your press brake.