FAQs

No - none whatsoever. All our Metalcraft tools are safe and easy to use and do not require any heat or electrical power. All functions are carried out by hand power and are designed for beginners and professionals alike to work with metal without having to heat it up. To join metalwork together, some of the tools make use of an ingenious riveting system which creates attractive looking traditional joints but avoids the need to be able to weld. However, for those of our customers with the appropriate equipment and skills, welding can certainly be applied.

The list is endless. Click on the “What You Can Make” to see just a small number of the metalcraft ideas that can be made. Don’t forget that the tools are also useful for all sorts of domestic and commercial repairs and maintenance. In fact, anywhere you need a bit of shaped steel to make a strong and lasting repair, Metalcraft tools are great additions to your tool box.

All tools can be purchased individually if you wish to gradually build up your collection or you may select from the workshop packages we offer.  Metalcraft workshops are a selection of individual tools grouped together based on their metal working capacities.  Ideal for individuals, schools, serious DIY, businesses, and industrial applications.  Metalcraft Tool sets give you everything you need to produce the highest quality of metalwork and decorative designs.  Save money by purchasing tools as a set!

6 popular workshops to choose from but not seeing a set suited for you, please contact us as we can put together a tailored package of tools for you.

The range consists of different multi-function tools to scroll, twist, cut, punch, bend, roll, and join by riveting metal strips together. They provide you with everything you need to produce professional looking practical or ornamental metalwork in a classic wrought iron style. You can buy individual tools for making specific elements or components, or even buy a complete workshop package of tools containing all the essential elements needed to start a new and exciting DIY/Craft hobby or business venture. They are available in three size ranges starting with the smaller Practical range, the mid-size Master range and the hugely-impressive XL range.

Most people who purchase the Practical range do so because they are looking to make smaller scale in home type items. Often these involve small or intricate scrollwork using smaller size steel strips from 1/2" to 3/4" wide x 1/8" thickness. That is not to say that the Practical range cannot be used to make large items such as furniture but if the item being made is load bearing or requires a significant degree of strength, it may have to incorporate quite a number of scrolls or jointed metalwork into the design to accomplish this and for that reason when thinking of doing furniture the Master or XL range of tools may be a better choice for you.  We have found that many who get the Practical tools and later add the Master or XL tools, don't put away their Practical tools as they end up using both as each have their advantages.  

The Master range, works with larger size and stronger material up to typically 1" wide x 3/16" thickness, which allows larger scale projects to be tackled more easily and without the need for so much scroll work or joined metalwork. The Master tools require a larger work area and have greater versatility overall, but they can still be used to work the lighter gauge materials associated with the Practical tools. For DIY's and also commercial applications, the Master range is a sensible entry level range.

The XL Pro range is for the serious DIY, professional and industrial user, that requires the power to work with larger and varied sections of steel. For the money it packs an amazing amount of functionality for commercial wrought iron producers, fabricators, and engineering & training workshops.

For a comparison of these tools and their capabilities hover over the Products button on the navigation bar above and a drop down box will appear - click on Tools or Workshops to see the tool specifications.

All of our Metalcraft tools and the components on them are guaranteed against defective workmanship for one year from the date of shipment. This applies to “fair” and “normal” use and does not cover acts of abuse, misuse, wearable parts (such as punch pins and cutting blades), and/or lack of tool maintenance.  In the unlikely event of a fault occurring during fair and normal use, we need to know about it as soon as possible. We will then repair or replace the item concerned.

Yes.  In addition to consumable parts like punch pins and cutting blades, at our facility in Rochester Minnesota we carry most parts for the Metalcraft tools.  As we do not sell many parts, we do not have a separate price list for them nor do we even list them our our website. Why do we carry so many parts then?  if a tool should go down it's always at the wrong time so we understand customers want to get tool back up and running quickly.  Also having dealt mainly with the school market for our first 20 years being in business, parts get lost more than broken and teachers really on us to get their equipment back in operation.  Having parts sit and not selling is worth it to us.

No. Metalcraft tools are designed and guaranteed to work with generally available Hot rolled (Black) Mild Steel or Annealed (softened) Bright Mild Steel to the specified sizes stated in the accompanying web pages. Such steels can be obtained from your local steel companies OR we do offer many sizes of steel so please check out our steel selection.  Now using UPS Simple (Flat) Rate for shipping so basically 1 lb. up to 50 lbs. of metal costs the same to ship.  These metals are ideally suited for use with Metalcraft tools and tend to be in much more manageable & affordable quantities than purchasing from a steel stockholder.

Please note: If you should wish to use other metals, please contact our Technical Sales staff to discuss the suitability of using them with our tools. 

If you have a specific application in mind but are not sure whether our tools can produce it, you are always welcome to contact us 507-536-4536 or metalcraftusa@yahoo.com   If emailing please include the details of the idea you are looking to make and what size/type of material to be used.  If we have the material we may attempt to make the item(s) on this end but note we may need to request from you to send a sample of the material and/or sample of a finished part you are wanting to duplicate.

No training is required whatsoever, so it’s easy to get started.

Metalcraft is backed by a comprehensive set of useful instructions and aides. Each tool we sell is supplied with a detailed operating instruction booklet showing how to set up and use the tool. We always suggest that it is worth reading through this before you get started.

In addition, many YouTube videos are posted on our site and these provide a demonstration of how to use the Metalcraft tools and includes a demonstration of how to make a great looking project in a few minutes.

We also offer a variety of free to download design instructions containing a step-by-step guide of how to make each individual project plus the details of materials needed. These are a great starting point for any new to Metalcraft.  Click on Downloads button in the navigation bar above.

Finally, our Design & Ideas Booklet contains more projects to make but is also packed with over 100 illustrations of design ideas to inspire you in creating your own designs.

All these books and guides should ensure you get the most from your Metalcraft tools. However, whether you are contemplating buying our tools for the first time or you are regular customer, if you have any queries or technical issues, we are only a call or e-mail away and we will do our utmost to answer your question as fully and as helpfully as we can.

Authentic Metalcraft tools have been manufactured in Hull England since the 1950s so you can be assured that as the designers, patentees, manufacturers, and distributors of the true Metalcraft tool range, all facets work together as our success and reputation as the world leaders in this type of equipment has been built on experience and after sales service. This sets us apart from the competition and poor-quality imitations that you may encounter.

metalcraftusa.com is proud to stock and sell a comprehensive range of decorative metal accessories to compliment and finish your project off in style.  Also carried are packs of steel and fixings such as rivets, nuts/bolts.

Steel needs a protective coat especially if located outside. For best results, clean steel with compatible cleaner such as paint thinner, then use a quality primer paint designed for use on steel.  Read paint can carefully and when appropriate paint your project with a compatible top coat - a wide range of attractive colors, finishes, and effects are available. You can apply this by brush or aerosol, the latter being more suitable for smaller objects and getting into joints that brushes have difficulty reaching. Brands such as Krylon or Rustoleum x2 are available from major DIY & Hardware stores as well as specialist paint outlets.

If operating on a larger scale or business basis, wet spray painting can be used, or if preferred, dry electrostatic epoxy and polyester powder coatings are available usually through commercial Coaters/Spray painters. 

When painting the metal stampings here is what we recommend: Degrease stampings - as part of the manufacturing process, stampings may have a slight coating of lubricant so this lubricant must be removed before any finishing or paint is applied to the decorative item. Wipe items down using a clean cloth damp with paint thinner, turpentine, denatured alcohol,  or other strong detergent solution that is compatible with paint. After degreasing the item we strongly recommend that you apply a rust and corrosion-inhibiting coating to the item (unless rusting the stampings).

Once cleaned, finish by: Painting (RustOleum or other quality spray paint - follow your paint supplier's directions for preparing, priming and top-coating the material chosen).  StainTorch Stampings - using a torch, heat the metal stamping up till it turns a dull light blue and then when it cools down enough to hold in your hand but still has a little heat, top coat with a clear enamel spray paint and that's when the colors will really pop.  Torching changes the properties of the metal and brings out the blue, black, and purple colors of the metal. Once cooled, the stampings need to be top coated again with a clear enamel.  Baked Enamel Powder Paint - powered paint is actually baked onto the stamping.  Natural Steel Color - use several light coats of clear non-yellowing enamel spray paint or clear powder coating.  Rusting - soak items undisturbed in a glass container with equal parts bleach and white vinegar for 24 hours. (Caution! Do not breath the fumes and keep away from children & pets). Let items air dry until the desired level of rust is achieved and then top coat with clear non-yellowing enamel spray paint.    

For general painting, we recommend Rustoleum x2 spray paint and use several light coats - read back of spray can carefully. For intricate painting, artist Sara Thamert, recommends the following: must use a quality primer and I found a Walmart product that works very well - brand name is ColorPlace an interior/exterior fast dry spray paint. Gray primer. The paint I use is either: Apple Barrel-Acrylic paint or Delta-Acrylic paint. Both products are great and sized containers are just right. 2 fl. oz. /8 fl. oz. Purchased at Michaels or other hobby and arts stores may carry them. After the stamping dries for a few days I spray a clear finish coat to seal the paint. Another Walmart product by Krylon. Acrylic Crystal Clear Gloss indoor/outdoor Protective, Non-Yellowing Clear Finish.

Once again, make sure stampings are cleaned prior to any painting application.

• nut & bolt fixings can be used.  These can be used for temporary or permanent application.  For example when making prototypes nuts & bolts are handy to temporary hold pieces together OR to make this type of joint permanent using nuts & bolts, use a dab of strong adhesive (superglue - E6000 works well) in the thread of the nut after it is tightened to stop the nut from working loose.  Side tip: when using nuts & bolts with candle holders or trays - use our 1/2" long nut & bolt with the thread pointing upwards, the thread can act as a useful spike on which to secure the candle.
• M11 rare earth magnet.  If you want to add a metal stamping to your project but don't want it permanent (for example, you may want to change out the stamping depending on the season) then consider using one of our small but powerful M11 rare earth magnets. Like that idea but have concerns that a child may swallow the magnet, then glue the magnet to your project so stamping can still be removed but not the magnet.  Same concept but you want to make both permanent, then glue magnet to stamping and then glue both to project.  Suggestion - make sure the glue used is paintable.  Woodworking tip:  if attaching M11 magnet to wood, drill a 3/8" hole (dia. of M11 magnet), countersink a flat head screw, and then glue the M11 rare earth magnet to the screw and wood. The magnet is hidden, permanent, but still allows one to change out metal stamping if needed.
• 2 sided sticky foam tape.
• Pop Riveting
• Soldering and other forms of welding.  We recommend putting all the heat on the metal one is attaching the stamping to and then run a quick bead to the stamping.
• Make your own fixing tag and apply to the back of a stamping.  Using small piece of metal, make a L shape bend where one side will be applied to metal stamping with strong glue (like E6000) and the other side a hole will be punched.  Then using a nut & bolt you can attach the tag in the most appropriate position to suit its position on the finished project.  HINT: to bond the fixing tag effectively make sure the face of the tag that makes contact with the back of the accessory is as long as possible and ideally punched with a few holes to improve the flow of the strong glue (like E6000) being used to secure both surfaces.  When the fixing tag has securely bonded to the back of the accessory, you can then attach it anywhere you want on your Metalcraft project using nuts & bolts or by careful welding or soldering.

Adding this wider range of attractive decorations gives greater scope for individual styling of your projects especially if the accessories are made even more eye-catching when painted in contrasting colors.

First, choose the correct diameter of rivet. Our 1/8" rivets are available in 6 different lengths. These are suitable for use with 1/8" holes punched on the Practical Punch/Shear (or the Master Punch/Shear Fitted with 1/8" Punch Block & Pin) or the XL5+ Power Bender (using the 1/8" punch block & pin).

Our 3/16" rivets are supplied in 5 lengths suitable for use with holes punched on Master Punch/Shear fitted with 3/16" Punch Block & Pin or XL5+ Power Bender fitted with the 3/16" Punch Block & Pin.

Then choose the correct length of rivet. This is dictated by how many strips of metal you are joining together and their total thickness. If working with up to 1/8" thick flat strip metal to be riveted together, the rivet should be approx. 1/16" - 1/8" longer than the combined thickness of the metalwork being riveted. If riveting flat strip metal thicker than 1/8" together the rivet should extend approx. 1/8" - 3/16" longer than the combined thickness of the metalwork being riveted.

For this reason, it pays to have a selection of each size of rivet available so that you can rivet a variety of thicknesses.  The flat head rivets we offer have been processed and are mild.  Rivets listed in our Fixings section.

Some examples:

• 2 pieces of 3/32" thickness = 1/4" long rivet
• 4 pieces of 3/32" thickness = 3/8" long rivet
• 2 pieces of 1/8" thickness = 5/16" long rivet
• 3 pieces of 1/8" thickness =   1/2" long rivet
• 2 pieces of 3/16" thickness = 1/2" long rivet

First work out the size of circle you’d like to make. Then we need to know the circumference for that circle –that is what length of steel needed to make that circle. If you know your desired diameter, the formula is:

π X diameter = circumference (π = 3.14125)

Also, the thickness of the steel being used must be allowed for. Example: for a circle of 200mm inside diameter using 3mm thick steel, to find the length of metal needed, the calculation would be:

3.14125 x 203 = 638mm

If it is the outside diameter you want to be 200mm, subtract the 3mm:

3.14125 x 197 = 619mm

For more details on rolling the right sized circle download the free to download PDF from the free Instructions section.

J scroll: only 1 end of the scroll is bent and the other is left straight in varying lengths.

C scroll: both ends are bent to the same stop on the scroll bender. The ends of the C scroll are identical and bent in the same direction.

G scroll: one end of the scroll is smaller than the other end. Both ends of the G scroll are bent in the same direction.

SS scroll: the ends are bent to the same stop. Ends of the SS scroll are identical in size but are bent in opposite directions.

SD scroll: one end of the scroll is smaller than the other end and achieved by bending each end to different stops. The ends are bent in opposite directions.Answer richtext

Over time any punch pin we manufacture will gradually wear and eventually break. For this reason, it should be regarded as a consumable part but following the information below will make sure you get the maximum time from your pin:

Always keep punch pins well lubricated using oil this will ensure you get the maximum life out of a punch pin.

Incorrect use through forgetting to follow the instructions supplied with all tools performing the punching operation. The most common mistake we encounter is users not supporting the metal bar that is being punched during the punching operation or not fully retracting the pin after punching as they try to remove the metal bar from the slot in the punch block. In both cases, large movements of the punched metal bar whilst the punch pin is still protruding through the bar and into exit hole of the block, will exert a large lateral shear force on the pin which it is not designed to withstand. By observing these guidelines you should minimize your pin breakages.

The life of a punch pin can sometimes be affected by the quality of the steel being punched. Some black hot rolled mild steel bar can vary in hardness along the length of the bar and occasionally, you can hit a particularly hard spot which may lead to a pin breaking. If you replace the broken pin and try punching more holes in same metal and encounter another breakage, then we suggest trying other hot rolled mild steel to see if the problem persists or not.  If not, then most likely the quality of metal was poor or had high carbon content.  We would be interested to hear of your problem and if possible to receive a sample of the material that was being punched at the time of the breakage to see if we replicate the problem at our factory.

Steel (Raw & Unfinished) – Cold Rolled Carbon Steel, Matte Finish; soft.
Brass (Raw & Unfinished) – 70/30 Cartridge Brass, Alloy 260, soft to 1/4 hard.
Aluminum (Raw & Unfinished) – 5052 Alloy Aluminum, H32.
Copper (Raw & Unfinished) – 110 Alloy Copper, 1/4 hard.

Our metal stampings are shipped in their raw (unfinished) material form with a thin coat of water-soluble, oil-based lubricant that will retard oxidation (rust, tarnish or patina). This lubricant will protect items to a certain point but the exact timeframe on when items start to oxidize will depend on a number of factors, including humidity in the storage area and how they are stored. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the “non-oxidizing” shelf life for any stamping. We have found if stampings are frequently handled, exposed to damp air currents, or in high humidity environment, the stampings will oxidize faster.

Technically yes BUT minimum cost per die is $20,000 dollars so initial order for a new stamping is 25,000 pieces. This is done to help offset the price of the new die. Lead time to make a new die is several months. Future orders would not have this minimum requirement.

For help choosing the right Metalcraft tools, technical queries, or for questions about any of the Metalcraft products including stampings, please contact Scott Thamert directly at scottthamert@gmail.com (3 t's together) or phone 507-536-4536.