My Tools

Every tool I use on camera and on the job, and where I get it. Most of the specialty sheet metal tools come from Stortz & Son, the best source I know for European sheet metal tools in North America. Tools marked ★ are where I would start if you are building up your kit.

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Layout and measuring

• Large square (Johnson 16" x 24" steel framing square) — Squaring and drawing layout lines.
• Steel rule (24" rigid machinist rule, 1/64" graduations) — Accurate measurements and straight lines.
• Pencil — Layout lines. Not a marker, which goes dull and throws lines off.

Cutting

• Red and green offset aviation snips ★ — Main cutting. They stay sharp, even in 24 gauge.
• Curved (circular) snips, Stubai — Cutting curves and the crescent at the bottom of a skylight apron. Not essential, but very handy.
• Pelican snips, Stubai — Long straight cuts without distorting the sheet.

Folding and seaming

• 3" deep bread pan folders, Stubai ★ — Squeezing power right at the tip, even with a deep jaw.
• 45° offset folders ★ — The workhorse. In my belt at all times.
• Narrow jaw ¾" 45° offset folder, Stubai ★ — Pinching power in the tight radius of the pocket fold.
• Double seaming (double fold) pliers, Stubai ★ — Double folding the radius. Narrow head version.
• 1st and 2nd stage seamer, Stubai — Single lock and double lock in one tool.
• Large crimping tool ★ — Crimping the pocket bends on site. Faster, cleaner, fewer hand tools on painted metal.
• Straight clinching pliers, 2⅜" deep jaw — Deep straight folds.
• Eaves gutter pliers — Gutter and eave edge work.
• Clamping folders — Fold and clamp in one motion.
• Pocket former — Forming pockets on site.
• Deck pliers — Wide-jaw folding on decks and large flashings.
• Wuko Uber Uni Bender — Long bends on site without a brake.
• Wuko Disco Bender — Curved and radius bends.
• Cordless seamer drill attachment — Seaming standing seam panels with a drill.

Holding and clamping

• Round needle nose pliers, no teeth, Stubai — Must-have for any metal job. No teeth, no marks.
• Needle nose locking pliers (Irwin Vise-Grip 6LN) — Holding pieces in place while folding.
• Welder clamps (Irwin Vise-Grip 11R locking C-clamp) — Clamping pieces together before cutting and folding.

Hammers, anvils and blocks

• Recoilless detailing hammer, 1¼" (30 mm) ★ — Dead blow, no bounce. Hard to work without.
• Seaming hammer — Bevelled, smooth face for painted surfaces. Gets into tight spots.
• PVC wedge hammer — Soft, so it does not scratch the paint.
• PVC seaming block — Single and double fold allowances, folded with a hammer.
• Spade anvil, 5½" blade — Backing for hammering seams and edges.
• Blade chisel, 3" wide (Mayhew 3" x 7" mason chisel) — Creasing and setting lines.

Protection and reading

• EPDM rubber scraps — Between your tools and the metal so you do not mar the paint. Essential when double folding. Roofing supplier.
• Basic Folding Techniques book — The reference I learned from.

ASM 101 has no paid relationship with Stortz & Son. These are simply the tools I use and where I buy them.