Stand-alone sheet metal flangers can improve your shop efficiency by freeing up your Pittsburgh machine. Most flange-making machines offered by Bud’s Machine Tools work with sheet metal from 20-26 gauge (and some even lighter). Many of the models are sized for larger fitting work. Some of the models we carry are built with a heavy-duty cast iron gear house for reliable performance.
Those of you who make sheet metal flanges for a living know that there is a whole lot more to understand about how to make a good flange than the average shop worker might think. First of all, there are all different types of sheet metal flanges, and there are other machines that cost more money that can do those flanges, such as Pittsburgh machines. Besides that, in even dedicated sheet metal flanging machines there are at least three levels of sophistication.
Part of the continuing success of Bud's Machine Tools is knowing what the customers want and expect, and to fill that requirement as quickly as possible. Whether this means fulfilling a service commitment to support the equipment with the parts necessary to complete a rapid repair, or sharing in our accumulated experience on how best to utilize the machines, we try to be there for our customers.
Part of all that is having the right equipment available for immediate delivery. Whether we have it in inventory on our own shop floor, or drop ship a machine from factory stock, when the decision is made we make things happen quickly.
At this time Bud's Machine Tools has made the decision to offer really, what amounts to three different levels of flanging equipment. (We define “levels” of equipment to mean an obvious step up in capacity, sophistication, and capabilities.)
Entry Level Sheet Metal Flangers
Our first level of sheet metal flangers is basically what can be defined as an entry-level machine. In this segment of flanging equipment, the machines are motorized and are usually dedicated to only one particular gauge of sheet metal, most of the time the gauges are ether 16-gauge or 18-gauge sheet metal. These machines are very competitively priced and can produce a good flange at 18-feet per minute.
(Note: We do offer one hand powered unit that clamps to a sturdy work surface and can fold a 7/32" right handed flange in 20-gauge sheet metal just as fast as you can crank that handle. This tough little folder can handle both inside and outside radii and can handle duct radius’s as well, and maybe the best feature of all — it’s portable.)
Mid-Level Sheet Metal Flangers
We referred earlier to the difference in capabilities being a factor when we grade a machine tool's stature, to see where the machine goes in the hierarchy of the entire offering. The next batch of sheet metal flangers are what we would refer to as our “middle of the road” line-up.
These machines are characterized by the following traits: typically a 2-3 h.p. motor in dual voltage (i.e. either 110 volt or 230 volt). Still of small stature, approximately 26 inches by 24 inches by 38 inches high. This group of flangers will do multiple gauges running from 16 to 24 gauge.
One unique feature is the ability of these machines to fold either a straight or curved seam, can fold either ¼ or 3/8" flanges. These machines will fold seams at a rate of 18 f.p.m and can create a starting flange. These machines also come equipped with a "non-releasing" head suitable for open end fittings and straight or irregular shapes.
High-End Sheet Metal Flangers
Finally, what we could call the upper-level of capabilities in sheet metal flangers: these machines are typically much more sophisticated and are usually fully-automatic. These machines also characteristically have considerably larger electric motors in the range of 10-15 h.p. These machines have, safety control panel with emergency stop button, have up to 16 station roller configuration, hardened infeed guide, hardened forming rolls, and hardened shafts. These sheet metal flangers can switch from 26 gauge to 16 gauge material with no external adjustment to the flanger.
The sheet metal flangers Bud's Machine Tools will be offering will be “short part capable,” meaning down to 6-inch-long pieces with no guarding needing to be removed to run these shorter parts. On these machines, the “snap flange” is included, optional rolls for T.D.C. clip production are available from our parts department. This segment of our sheet metal flanging equipment has an overall capacity of 16- 26 gauge at 50 feet per minute output.
That place is Bud's Machine Tools in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Bryan "Bud" Jorgenson's family has been in the metalworking machinery business for the last several decades. Following in the footsteps of his father, Roger Jorgenson, Bryan carries on the tradition of providing quality machines at affordable prices with world-class customer service.
With a fully-stocked parts department and service capabilities beyond reproach, Bud's is the place to look to procure the best in sheet metal flanging machines. Give us a call today, and arrange a tour if you wish. Or send us an e-mail so we can send you all the information you want on these machines or any others.
