As you build out your equipment for construction work, you will run into quite a few different types of specialized tools all used for metalwork. Each tool has its own purpose and its benefits to you as the user for any of the work you might like to have them around for. Whether you do professional work, or consider yourself quite the handyman yourself, you will want a selection of high quality manual metal cutting tools to get you by in all of your projects. A few well-selected tools can cover a wide range of purposes and give you an easy time using them. At the very least, here are a few metal cutting tools you will want to keep by your workbench.

Shears or Snips
Tin snips or shears are some of the most useful handheld metal cutting tools you could own. They are, as the names imply, much like scissors, which snip and cut the sheet metal you are working with. They are inexpensive and durable, while still being a tool you reach for often, making them incredibly practical to keep around. They are able to cut through materials in curves or straight lines, since they work like scissors, so you are able to manipulate them as you wish. You can use them for just about any material that is not too thick, otherwise you will want to upgrade to something else.

Hacksaws
Hacksaws are great for picking up where shears or snips leave off. Unlike shears, hacksaws can handle much thicker gauges to cut through. But very similarly, they are also very easy to use and fairly inexpensive. They work well for cutting materials away from your workbench, when the position of the material might not be laid out as evenly as you would normally prefer. One of the only drawbacks is the amount of effort you need to put in, in order to use this tool for an extended period of time. However, if you can accept that, then one is for you. The hacksaw is likely one of, if not, the first of the metal cutting tools you considered purchasing for yourself. It’s hard to go wrong with having this one on standby.

Punchers
Punchers are less likely to be thought of when making a list of metal cutting tools, but still come highly recommended. These versatile tools can handle quite the range of use in metalwork from fully piercing the metal to intentionally only leaving a dent. You can use punchers to press a small hole into metal in order to create a place to bring something like a bolt, nail, or dowel through. Another way to use punches is to make an indentation in your metal to serve as a marker for your plans as you go. Much like the other metal cutting tools listed above, punches are quite durable, versatile, affordable, and easy to use, making them a wise choice to have in your arsenal.

Next time you are shopping for tools, make sure to add these to the list so you won’t forget. Then visit John Stortz & Son for whatever quality hand tools you need, including your new go-to metal cutting tools.