McMaster-Carr Transfer Punches
When holes need to line up perfectly, you'll need a transfer punch to mark the hole center in the undrilled material. Select the appropriate-size transfer punch, lay the drilled material over the undrilled material, and insert the transfer punch against the raw surface. One good smack with a hammer, and the new hole's center is perfectly marked and ready for drilling. Transfer punches are available individually or in sets.
For more information, contact: McMaster-Carr, (562) 463-4277, www.mcmaster.com.
Hougen RotaCut Sheetmetal Cutter Kit
Conventional hole saws are pretty good, but they're nowhere near as precise as the RotaCut hole cutters. Thanks to precision-ground high-speed steel construction, RotaCut annular hole cutters produce burr-free holes with superior accuracy compared to conventional hole saws. The RotaCut hole cutters only cut the outer perimeter of the holes, so no time is spent boring through material in the center of the hole as is the case with a conventional drill bit. These features make RotaCut hole cutters more accurate than traditional hole saws and faster than traditional drill bits. Hougen RotaCut hole cutters can bore through sheetmetal, plate, and plastic up to 1/4 inch thick and are available in a wide range of sizes. This convenient set comes with seven cutters, a drill arbor, center punch, wrench, two pilot points, and stop washers.
For more information, contact: Hougen Mfg., (800) 426-7818, www.hougen.com.
Van Sant Angle Level and Base
A gap-free fit is the first step toward a world-class weld. Keeping your notches and bends in their desired planes is much easier when using an angle level and base from Van Sant Enterprises. The base attaches to round tubing up to 2 inches diameter, and the angle level magnetically attaches to the base. The inner wheel of the angle level swivels 360 degrees and is liquid-filled to stabilize the indicator needle. Yes, you can use your calibrated eyeball to track your bends and notches, but take our word that getting a tool specifically built for this task makes for faster and more accurate fabrication.
For more information, contact: Van Sant Enterprises (877) VAN-SANT www.trick-tools.com
Van Sant Tab and Bracket Holder
This cool tool holds weld tabs and brackets in place for tack welding. Height and lateral position can be adjusted, and the clamp holds securely to round or square tubing. The Van Sant tab and bracket holder is clasping a ProtoFab prestamped weld tab.
For more information, contact: Van Sant Enterprises (877) VAN-SANT www.trick-tools.com