For those of you that have an ironworker post up what you have and what you mainly use it for. I have a uni-hydro 50 ton. I constantly use the shear on it which is the part of it I use the most. The second most used part of it would be the brake followed by the punch. All I have is 10 different sizes of round dies and thought it would be cool to get some other shapes like square or rectangle or keyhole or whatever but cant really justify it. I mean why wouldn't it be cool to punch out odd shapes in metal? If if you dont have a real good reason to do it. What are you guys using?
Ironworkers on this forum
- Thread starter bigcreek
- Start date
readhead
Well-known member
I have several slot punches but they don't get much use. For multiple pieces we plasma cut. I had a 100 ton and a 40 ton. Sold the 100 ton before our last move. Of course I have a production shop so my usage will be different than someone that is doing personal work.
I would recommend an ironworker for anyone doing fab work at home. It doesn't take up much room, they are cheap new or used and it makes everything so much easier and faster.
I would recommend an ironworker for anyone doing fab work at home. It doesn't take up much room, they are cheap new or used and it makes everything so much easier and faster.
That's me as well when thinking on what other shapes of punches may come in handy I realized it was kind of dumb to spend much money on odd shapes that I would rarely use since I can cut any shape out on the cnc table. I agree though they sure are handy little tools to have with a small footprint.
ilovevocs
Well-known member
I have a Wysong 100. I sheer allot of angle and flat with it. Punches I most frequently use are 1/2" round and 1/4". Have a few others but they don't get allot of use.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Its a 42-14 and I made several punch tables for different stuff, the one in the picture is 20" by 10" but I have one 48" wide that only comes out to the end of the die to punch holes in angle leg down. You can't see much in the picture but I made the table for the plate shear bigger then the factory one as well and cut an x in it for clamping but find it handy to reference 45 degree cuts. I have a few regular jobs that use carriage bolts for bearing flanges and some guards I tack the bolts in because there is no access for a wrench. The back stop needs some attention to make it easier to adjust but I haven't gotten around to that yet.
Whiskeymike
Well-known member
I use an Edwards 55 ton at my local Techshop. I use it to punch holes in all sorts of things. Beats drilling steel any day of the week. I also use the pipe bender which is really nice. I also use the angle iron shear and notcher. It makes it real quick and easy to assemble things square out of angle.
If I keep using it, I may get one for the home shop.
If I keep using it, I may get one for the home shop.