Spotlight on Sheet Metal Tools

March 13, 2006

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.

Sheet Metal Nibbler
Klein Tools offers a sheet metal nibbler. This tool cuts soft sheet metal, plastic, soft copper and aluminum, and tubing. It is ideal for sheet metal work. For more information visit www.kleintools.com or call (800) 553-4647.

Riveting Kit
The 15-piece riveting kit from Brown Tool contains the necessary tools for most basic riveting applications. It includes your choice of a 3X or 4X rivet gun as well as straight, flush, and offset rivet sets and bucking bars. A perfect starter kit for any aircraft technician or A&P student interested in riveting tools. For more information visit www.browntool.com or call (800) 587-3883.

Deburring Kit
The Burraway Kit from U.S. Airtool Co. contains five tools for deburring popular hole sizes: 1/8-, 5/32-, 3/16-, 7/32-, and 1/4-inch. Also includes a replacement blade for each tool. For more information visit www.usatco.com or call (800) 645-8180.

Snips
The aviation snips from Irwin feature ProTouch Grips for added comfort. Serrated blades reduce material slippage (only bottom blade on offsets) and can cut up to 18-gauge cold rolled steel or 23-gauge stainless. Hot drop-forged blades are designed for strength and durability. A high torsion double overwound spring extends tool life. There is a safety latch for one-handed release. The snips meet or exceed all ANSI/ASME/ISO/DIN specifications. For more information visit www.irwin.com.

Rivet Gauge Set
Aircraft Tool Supply Company offers the shop head rivet gauge set. It includes four gauges for -3, -4, -5, and -6 rivets. Each gauge measures minimum height and minimum diameter of shop heads after setting. Eliminates guessing if your rivets are properly set. Works for measuring both universal head and flush rivets. Precision machined to size from 2024 aluminum. Rivet size permanently stamped on each gauge. Color-coded anodized finish. For more information, visit www.aircraft-tool.com or call (800) 248-0638.

Work Center
The Tool Quick Shaped designed by Ron Fournier and built by U.S. Industrial Tool & Supply is a combination English wheel/work center. It allows the operator to accomplish multiple tasks at one location. It features a portable English wheel with six forming rolls, foot-operated metal shrinker, large forming head, shot bag (less shot), 24-inch reach with 19-inch gap, and weighs 860 pounds. For more information visit www.ustool.com or call (734) 354-1216.

Planishing Hammer
Fournier offers two sizes of planishing hammers, one with a 12-inch throat and one with a 24-inch throat. Each planishing hammer includes a wide range of nine anvils. A rear adjuster sets load force and allows for fast die changes. Both models produce 4,600 hits per minute at 100 psi and foot pedal operation allows both hands to be free for complete control. They are USA made. For more information visit www.irwin.com or call (800) 501-3722.

Recoilless Rivet Guns and Bucking Bars
U.S. Industrial Tool & Supply manufactures “recoilless” rivet guns and “recoilless” bucking bars ergonomically designed to reduce job-related effects of prolonged exposure to riveting vibrations. Unique viscoelastic dampening system reduces damaging, low-frequency vibration. Features include a “Sure-Grip” powder coat finish and teasing trigger. Precision machined. The tools reduce noise output. For more information visit www.ustool.com or call (734) 354-1216.

Cleco Installation Tool
The Nova air-operated cleco installer from Aircraft Tool Supply Company takes the chore out of installing and removing clecos. It’s the perfect tool for those big sheet metal projects. It features a trigger throttle, ergonomic handle, 360-degree swivel mount, 1/4-inch NPT air inlet, and operates quietly. For more information, visit www.aircraft-tool.com or call (800) 248-0638.

Pneumatic Drill
Cooper Power Tools offers the Dotco Model 15CSS92-38 small handle pneumatic drill. Features include: ¼-inch geared chuck, 3,200 rpm, 2.0-pound weight, and 6.1-inch length. For more information, visit www.cooperpowertools.com.