Spotlight on Sheet Metal Tools

Sheet Metal Tool Kit
Brown Tool’s 376-piece Master sheet metal tool kit contains just about anything you will need to maintain and repair any sheet metal aircraft. Included are items such as clecos, bucking bars, drills, countersinks, hole finders, rivet sets, threaded drills, dimpling tools, and a pneumatic rivet gun and drill motor. For more information visit www.browntool.com or call (800) 587-3883.

Die Grinder
Chicago Pneumatic offers the CP875 mini angle die grinder. The compact, lightweight design allows for easy maneuverability. Its 90-degree angle head allows flexibility in confined areas. It comes complete with 1/4-inch and 6 mm collet. It can be used for high-speed blending, smoothing, porting, and deburring in confined areas. For more information visit www.chicagopneumatic.com or call (800) 367-2442.

Aviation Snips
Midwest Tool And Cutlery Company’s Upright Snips improve cutting sheet metal and other materials for the contractor, tradesman, and do-it-yourself user. Available in both right and left cutting models, the snips incorporate a patent-pending right angle 90-degree handle to blade design. The design results in easier cutting in tight spaces, overhead and at waist level because there is no bending or breaking of the wrist. They are rated to cut 24-gauge sheet metal and 28-gauge stainless steel. Other features include: unbreakable forged molybdenum steel blades; a threaded center pivot bolt to keep blades in adjustment; heavy-duty double overwind spring; soft copolymer grips; and ergonomic, strong handles with an optimum 5 ½-inch spread. For more information visit www.midwestsnips.com or call (800) 782-4659.

English Wheel
Fournier offers an English wheel, with three standard wheels: 2 3/8-, 5-, and 12-inch radius anvil wheels. It is capable of handling .125 thick soft aluminum and .063 thick mild steel, and has a reach of 44 inches. The unit weighs 1,450 pounds with a height of 77 3/4 inches. Fournier also offers hands-on metal shaping classes throughout the year, where you can learn how to use an English wheel to create custom metal projects (including aircraft parts). For more information visit www.fournierenterprises.com or call (800) 501-3722.

Rivet Gun Kit
The 53-RGK Pro Rivet Gun kit from U.S. Airtool Co. (USATCO) contains rivet gun, 14 rivet sets, four bucking bars in popular sizes, two different springs, and one power regulator. For more information visit www.usatco.com or call (800) 645-8180.

Metalworking Machine
Fournier’s QuickShaper is a multitask metalworking machine designed for metal work professionals and hobbyists. It’s ideal for small shops and where space is at a premium. It combines a 24-inch English wheel with workstations to perform hammering/blocking, wheeling and raising metal panels, shrinking or stretching, and planishing. It is a mobile unit on strong locking casters and features six forming anvils. It is capable of handling 16-gauge steel or .125 aluminum (1100 or 3003 H-14). For more information visit www.fournierenterprises.com or call (800) 501-3711.

Micrometers and Calipers
Central Tools Inc. offers Storm, the Value line comprised of imported precision measuring tools. The line includes micrometers, rotor micrometers, calipers, and dial indicator sets. Central also offers electronic, dial, and vernier calipers. For more information visit www.centraltools.com or call (800) 866-5287.

Power Shear
Kett Tool offers the KD-440 power shear. Double insulated, it cuts at more than 150 inches per minute, leaving a clean, flat sheet ready to fabricate. Distortions are absorbed in an easily disposed of waste curl, leaving the sheet cool and free of burn, chips, and burrs. The portable unit is lightweight and features a pistol grip. The cutting blades are the finest high-speed steel, which can be replaced individually or with a replacement blade kit. For more information call (513) 271-0333 or visit www.kett-tool.com.