5 Essential Metalworking Tools for Beginners

So you’re thinking of getting into metalworking, but not sure what equipment you need or should look into getting first? 

No doubt you’ll have noticed there’s a wide variety of tools out there to meet all the different needs of a metal worker, whether you’re cutting, welding, carving etc. Having the right tools is important, but what should you invest in first? 

Regardless of what area of metal working you’ll be focusing on, these are 5 essential metalworking tools you’ll need to get started on your journey.

Bandsaw

A bandsaw is probably one of the most important tools you’ll need. It will make relatively light work of cutting metal and it’s a lot more accurate and less effort than using a handheld hacksaw! Make sure to invest in a good one for metal working, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to get something decent. Just remember to oil it regularly and you’ll enjoy a good long life out of it.

It’s good to note that a bandsaw can also be used for cutting wood, plastic and many other materials as well, so you’re sure to get your money’s worth on this investment.

Vises & C-Clamps

Vises and C-Clamps autozone hold things in place while cutting, grinding or shaping. If we had to choose the most important purchases you make as a metal worker, these C-Clamps autozone tool would definitely top the list. You’ll be using them the most on a daily basis and you’ll always need them on hand. 

Whereas a vice is going to be generally fitted in a fixed position on a workbench or drill press, metal c clamp, C-Clamps autozone are versatile and can easily be clamped in a variety of positions so that whatever you are working on doesn’t slip out of position.

Best Drill Press Vise

When you have a best drill press vise, you’ll find that making clear, accurate holes in metal is really simple. Sure, you can do without one to make holes, but if you want accuracy, you can’t beat the fixed, stationary position that a drill press provides . Using a drill press will also prevent your best drill press vise bit from locking up while drilling holes. Make sure to attach a solid vice to ensure that whatever you’re drilling is firmly locked in position.

Grinder

When you think of a grinder, most people think first of an angle grinder which is used for rough grinding, cutting rebar, tiles, and masonry. An angle grinder is powered by electricity or battery and is more powerful and needs to be operated with two hands. 

A die grinder is a smaller, pneumatic rotary tool that can be used to polish, grind, etch and engrave metal, wood and glass. It’s small enough to be operated with one hand. Whereas an angle grinder is equipped with a disc that spins to cut and grind, a die grinder can be used with an impressive array of attachments to do finer and more accurate work. The two grinders are different enough to be classified as separate hand tools, and while an angle grinder is relatively expensive, a die grinder doesn’t cost that much.

It’s worth noting that while a die grinder may seem similar to a Dremel rotary tool, a die grinder is more powerful.

Ultimately, it will come down to what you are going to do as a metal worker to determine which type of grinder you want to get first. In time, it’s likely you’ll end up purchasing both types anyway. 

Conclusion

There you have it! As a new metal worker, these 5 tools are going to be the most important purchases you’ll make in the beginning, but we are certain you’ll end up buying a lot more as you go.

If you’d like more information about the tools we have to offer that were mentioned here, please get in touch.