To others who have no experience with sheet metal roofing, it might seem like a simple or straightforward process. While it isn’t rocket science, it would be completely ill-advised to assume that it isn’t a highly involved series of processes that require unique skills and a number of specialized tools.

Among the tin snips, nibblers, seamers, edging tools, gutter saws and other specialized tools that sheet metal roofers use are metal bending tools. Each of these categories of tools produces a highly specific effect in the sheet metal medium, and bending tools are no different. The only difference that does exist is in the effect itself.

Whereas cutting tools create marks or incisions in sheet metal or separate sections, bending tools, unsurprisingly, bend the sheet metal according to various prerequisite criteria. Bending tools range from simple models like pliers to more advanced powered seamers, brakes, rollers and everything in between.

The basic premise behind the operation of a metal bending tool is that it concentrates and multiplies mechanical advantage as a certain section of sheet metal, such as at the edge, in order to produce a bend, a carve, a roll or even a seam. The exact alteration to be made in the sheet metal will vary according to the tool but the basic premise does not change.

For example, the Draco Disc Bender is a specific metal bending tool that can be found online at Stortz.com and is used primarily for creating full 180 degree hems from a 90 degree flange that exists at the edge of a sheet of metal. It does this with the help of a unique latch that enables the user to “attach” the edge of the sheet metal at any given point, at which point it can be rolled and worked along the edge, bending the sheet incrementally until the desired angle is achieved.

A disc bender like this is able to create crisp bends in metal through the help of the disc that holds the edge in place and guides the motion of the tool as it is worked along the edge. Other benders may use support plates or rollers in order to create the bend at the desired angle, and they can be used to create a number of different bends in sheet metal, especially along the edge.

Some sheet metal bending tools are also used for creating seams at which point metal sheets can be joined together. In that manner, some forming tools fall under the category of bending tools since they technically create a bend in the metal as well.

If you’re looking for metal bending or forming tools and want to learn more about the different types, even to see videos of them in action as a testimonial, make sure you visit John Stortz & Son at Stortz.com. You can trust them as a resource for learning more about these tools, but you can also find a large collection of unique and specialized metal roofing and bending tools (among many others) right on their website as well. Quality and customer service are key concerns for their business - if you have any questions while you shop, call them at 888-847-3456.