The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Flange tools - what's good?

I'm not good enough at welding to butt welds, so want to laps on my sheetmetal. I know some of the cheap tools are not worth having and others work quite well. Anyone have experience with the inexpensive flange tools, both air operated and manual? Don

I bought the pneumatic one (third one down) shown on THIS PAGE. I paid $91 for it and only used it to punch a couple holes. It punches and flanges and works well but I never use it. If you want to buy it, I'll let it go for $75 including postage to the US.

Thanks for the offer, let me consider. Don

I have one of the Eastwood's modified vise-grip tool that works fine as long as you aren't trying to get into tight spots. The flange is created at the very back of the jaw so you have to have clearance room. Think it was around $30.00 at the time and I consider it worth the money.

I think the one Czechman mentions has a shallower bite and would not have the depth issues I experienced with the vise-grip version. The additional hole punch feature would be useful on the piece going into the flange for getting good solid welds.It all depends on how much work you're going to be doing and how much you want to tie up in a flange tool.

Dave

Thanks, I'll check out Eastwood and also Harbor Freight. Don

As you can see I'm not getting any use out of mine. It's wasted in my shop because I find it immensely easier to butt weld things and the times when you do need a plug weld I just use a drill. Step drills are great for drilling sheetmetal and IMO a 1/4 inch hole is ideal.

I found the punch to be a less-than-ideal tool because of its bulk and you really can't see exactly where the hole will wind up, whereas a drill will put a hole exactly where you want it.

But, that's the way I work. You guys use what works for you.

I finally found someone at Harbor Freight that knew where to locate the flange/punch tool, it was locked in their tool cabinet. I go there every month or so and had asked about a flange tool each time (nobody seemed to know what it was). Good price, only $35, so I bought it not expecting much. It seems to be a little under-powered but it does work and for the price, I like it a lot.

Don

I have the flange tool from harborfreight as well, it punches hole for sure for 16G of steel, it doesnot provide enough offset to equal two metal width but it was rated for 16 g of steel I guess

Not much use for me as well.

Ganesh

I butt weld most but bought an inexpensive air flanging tool. Works very well on most sheetmetal & makes those welds in hard to see places go so much easier. I made sure to seam seal after I was done because you'll be leaving a real nice area for rust to start if you don't.

Most sheet metal I worked with is probably 18 guage or thinner - not sure where you'll find 16 guage on most trucks.