Metalcraft, great service.

[Landy Lad]

After a spell of bad encounters with various firms lately, I thought it was time to praise one. I bought some Metalcraft tools of a guy local to me a couple of weeks ago and needed a few spares for them. I bought them after finding out about them on here, and I know chunko is a big fan and seemed to rate them.

I contacted them saying I needed some spares for the tools I had. I had a reply within a couple of hours, with spares catalogues attached for all of my tools. I replied back with the part numbers to what I thought I needed, as it looked as though someone had made the rollers on the bbr tool. They emailed me back saying they had got all of my bits up together, and to call to pay and for delivery addy and they would get them straight off. I called them up, and said I wanted some magnetic markers and scroll former outline sheet, which they included free, all for the bargain price of £11.

It arrived the next morning.

Great service, especially as I bought them second hand.

 

[ytre]

Metalcraft are a great firm and very helpful, i wish them every success in these difficult times.

 

[sloderby]

And another thumbs up for Metalcraft from me.
I also bought some of their tools second-hand and contacted them to enquire about instruction manuals - they promptly replied with pdf copies for free.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I bought a set of basic scroll formers off them probably about 40 years ago, I sold them last year still in good order and they had formed thousands of scrolls.

I bought a new more capable scroll former off them to replace the one's I sold and it's excellent.

 

[Dev]

I'm still getting to grips with the practical rbr tool but it's a solid bit of kit.

 

[Landy Lad]

I bought a set of basic scroll formers off them probably about 40 years ago, I sold them last year still in good order and they had formed thousands of scrolls.

I bought a new more capable scroll former off them to replace the one's I sold and it's excellent.

My bbr tool they said is from pre 97, they have an archive box apparently, and they found me the last 2 rollers they had for that model in there so I might have to replace it next time they wear out. Mind you it should have more than paid for a new one if they last as long as the first pair.

 

[Landy Lad]

I'm still getting to grips with the practical rbr tool but it's a solid bit of kit.

Yeah me too Dev, got the bending sorted but tend to put too much pressure on when rolling.

 

[chunkolini]

When you are rolling strip and bar try putting a small bend in the end you are feeding into the rollers, this can avoid having them trying to make the initial bend and then roll it.
Also best idea is to make several passes to the finished curve, it is all a feel thing.
it looks so impressive when you put a large bit of strip in, put the initial pressure on, give it a last tweek and make a perfect ring the correct size. Does not always happen though.
I have loads of wrong sized rings hanging on hooks that get used up in the end.

 

[Dev]

I've been twiddling the set screw each time to keep the pressure constant as I feed the material through, that seems to be working pretty well. Cutting it to the right length helps too.

 

[chunkolini]

You shouldn't need to be changing the pressure once you are working on a length of metal, I also leave a couple of (metric)inches at each end to get rid of the straight bit where it has entered and left the rollers.
You might need to adjust the pressure as you start making the curve, this is where practice comes in,.

 

[Landy Lad]

When you are rolling strip and bar try putting a small bend in the end you are feeding into the rollers, this can avoid having them trying to make the initial bend and then roll it.
Also best idea is to make several passes to the finished curve, it is all a feel thing.
it looks so impressive when you put a large bit of strip in, put the initial pressure on, give it a last tweek and make a perfect ring the correct size. Does not always happen though.
I have loads of wrong sized rings hanging on hooks that get used up in the end.

That is much better putting a bend in it first. I'm surprised at how little pressure you need to roll. I put some curves in some 6mm bar today with very little effort. I have got to get used to not thinking I'm not putting enough pressure on. I have made a few mistakes trying to get the feel of it, so I have got various hooks and brackets that I have made my 'mistakes' into. Its all good fun though.

 

[chunkolini]

I still make lots of those funny bent thingies.
it is when you start making things with several bends and curves in them it gets complicated, so often I make a reverse of what I am after or make the moves in the wrong order.
I was surprised to find that you can even unroll a curve and redo it again.

 

[the snooper]

chunko you get everywhere even on metalcrafts web site are they paying you to promote their gear

 

[Dev]

I think hes one of their most famous customers, if you say chunko sent you they might give you a discount

 

[pondman]

My powerbender is the best tool I've ever bought and as a company I don't think there are better. Great customer service and excellently designed tools

 

[the snooper]

I think hes one of their most famous customers, if you say chunko sent you they might give you a discount

they are only a mile or so away from me might pop in on day see how infamous erm famous our mr chunko is

 

[ytre]

Do they still do the magnetic markers, i cant find any on there website

 

[chunkolini]

Snooper do pay them a visit.
Just watch the junction up the road, I almost got killed there on my bike in '89.
I was at college in Hull, great place.
No payments or commission, they are nice guys who make decent gear.
Without their tools I would probably still be a depressed social worker.

 

[the snooper]

theres nothing wrong with that junction if you mean beverley rd junction its fine it has traffic lights, its all changed since you was here

 

[chunkolini]

Snooper
I was heading town, turning right on the feeder light, some plonker coming the other way jumped a red light. Pow!
Not sure about being a famous customer, but their gear did completely change the way I work, being able to make swoopy curves was a revelation.