Metal forming tools
The machines that smooth, bead and finish what the brake started: planishing hammers for weld smoothing and panel shaping, rotary beaders for reinforcing beads and decorative edges, and shop press brake attachments that turn a shop press into a bender.
Air-driven planishing hammer
A planishing hammer is a pneumatic tool designed for metal shaping and finishing, widely used in automotive repair, aerospace manufacturing and custom metal fabrication. Air-driven models leverage compressed air to deliver precise, high-frequency strikes for smoothing welds, removing dents and shaping sheet metal with minimal operator fatigue.
Core mechanism
- Pneumatic power source: operated by compressed air, typically 90–120 PSI, converting air pressure into mechanical energy through a piston-driven system
- Variable blow frequency: advanced models achieve 2,000–2,600 blows per minute, allowing rapid surface refinement without overheating the workpiece
- Clutch system: Kevlar-lined hydraulic clutches ensure smooth engagement and disengagement, reducing wear and enabling precise control over strike intensity
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Throat capacity | 19.5–24 inches (495–610 mm) — large panels or curved surfaces |
| Blow frequency | 2,000–2,600 BPM |
| Air supply | 90–120 PSI |
| Clutch | Kevlar-lined hydraulic clutch |
Hydraulic rotary beader
A hydraulic rotary beader uses hydraulic pressure and rotating dies to form raised or recessed beads, flanges or patterns on sheet metal. Its hydraulic system ensures consistent force, enabling precise, repeatable results even on thick or hard materials.
- Strengthening automotive panels — the bead is a structural rib, not just decoration
- Creating decorative edges on architectural metalwork
- Forming fluid channels in HVAC ducts
Manual rotary beader
A hand-cranked mechanism drives rotating dies or rollers to imprint patterns, creases or decorative edges onto metal sheets — offering artisans and small-scale manufacturers precise control over pressure, alignment and pattern consistency.
- Dual roller system: interchangeable hardened steel rollers accommodating diverse patterns (bead lines, fluting, embossed textures)
- Adjustable pressure mechanism: calibrated screw or lever system modulates pressure based on material thickness and desired depth
- Portable frame: cast iron or high-tensile aluminium alloy — stability with a lightweight profile for workshop mobility
- Material compatibility: copper to 1.2 mm, aluminium 0.5–2.0 mm, brass, silver and mild steel
Shop press brake attachments
Modular tools designed to retrofit onto a standard hydraulic shop press (12–50 ton models) or a homemade bending setup. They enable precise bending of sheet metal, bars and tubes by providing controlled force and angle accuracy.
- Hobbyists: crafting custom brackets, automotive parts or decorative metalwork
- Small workshops: prototyping or low-volume production without industrial machinery
- Cost-conscious businesses: adaptable, space-efficient solutions
- Types: press brake dies and punches, bending fingers and clamp bars, and angle gauges — the same tooling geometry as a bench brake, on a press you already own
Ask about the metal forming tools
Send the part you need to bend and we will come back with a configuration and a quote.