Home Sheet Metal Workshop Tools

When working with sheet metal it is essential to have the right tools in your workshop. There are a multitude of hand tools and power tools designed for working with sheet metal. In this article we discuss a few of the most important tools to have in your shop.

Function

Each tool in your shop has a specific use, and having the basic assortment of tools is necessary to complete a quality sheet metal project. Most sheet metal projects involve heating and cooling and with a few simple tools those projects can be completed with ease.

Types

Most tools for the home sheet metal workshop are simple hand tools. There are also a few hand tools that are important to have such as a rivet gun and a hole saw. With the exception of these, everything that needs to be done with sheet metal can be done by hand. These hand tools include crimpers, hammers, snips and seamers.

Crimpers

A crimper bends sections of duct work so that they fit together properly. A crimper is easy to use. On one end of a section use it make small dimples to make it easy to join the two sections together.

Hammers

A good set of hammers are useful when shaping sheet metal. It only takes a gentle swing to use a hammer to shape sheet metal. There are several hammers, like flat end hammers, pointed hammers and smaller detail hammers, for smaller jobs. Having more than one or two hammers will ensure you always have the right hammer for the job at hand.

Tin Snips

Tin snips cut through sheet metal. They can be used in duct work to make holes for additional vents. It is essential that tin snips are well maintained. They should be sharp and periodically oiled to keep them ready for cutting.

Warning

Any tool can be dangerous if not used correctly and safely. If you're not cautious with the tools you can pinch and cut the skin. Nobody wants to make that trip to the emergency room.