Metalcraft kit anyone used it

[MalcB]

As title says!! I'm thinking of getting some shaping kit to make brackets & planters plus whatever, so either I can buy their kit or try to make my own benders/ formers and buy a normal guilloteen, has anyone tried this kit or made their own. I am new to this idea but have plenty of time to have a go
Malc

 

[chunkolini]

I have been known to dabble with metalcraft kit.
See www.artinsteel.co.uk
I have made a few small items with it over the years.
Does what it says on the box.

Chunko'.

 

[chunkolini]

A bit more information, I was being turfed of the computer yesterday.
I have used this gear for over 10 years, I had a Master strip worker, cuts and punches 5mm strip one handedly, rolls 30x5mm strip, and up to 10mm stainless round rod.
I have used it daily and earned a lot of money using it and never had a problem with it. The shears built into the tools are more than up to cutting the steel it can work.

Highly reccomended, easy to use not fancy and beautifully built. you cant go wrong.

I also had the scroller and twister, I experimented with both, again good gear but not so relevant to what I do.
Dont limit yourself to planters and brackets, your imagination is the limiting factor. Eg, Dream Jazz band, 8ft tall made of 10mm mild steel round bar.


It also works well on a small scale.
Angler Fish 3mm gas welding rods.


Or if you get the newer Power Bender it seems the sky is the limit.
Garden Screen, ongoing project, made of 30x5mm strip bent on edge.


When I get my finger out I will post a review of the Powerbender.

 

[MalcB]

thanks chunko, thats good info to read I have sent for a catologue from them, I love your site have been looking at the photos, my hobby is classic cars steam engines and vintage vehicles so would love to be able to make some sculptures of the old machinery like your open life type, I took early retirement to look after my wife so projects are needed I see its possible to visit your workshop and talk with you, it could be the inspiration I need I would never consider myself as artistic but like geometric styles and think I could do something along those lines, where abouts in herefordshire are you I'm in Nantwich Cheshire so would only be about 90 miles if that could you please send me details and I'll contact you
Mant Thanks Malc

 

[Windy Miller]

thanks chunko, thats good info to read I have sent for a catologue from them, I love your site have been looking at the photos, my hobby is classic cars steam engines and vintage vehicles so would love to be able to make some sculptures of the old machinery like your open life type, I took early retirement to look after my wife so projects are needed I see its possible to visit your workshop and talk with you, it could be the inspiration I need I would never consider myself as artistic but like geometric styles and think I could do something along those lines, where abouts in herefordshire are you I'm in Nantwich Cheshire so would only be about 90 miles if that could you please send me details and I'll contact you
Mant Thanks Malc

It's well worth the trip!

 

[chunkolini]

malcb says
"I would never consider myself as artistic"
Crobblers says I.
Artistic? what does that mean?
We can all do this stuff, you describe what you do,classic cars, steam engines, vintage vehiclles.
I cant do any of that stuff, but we can all shape metal.
The 'Art' word is abused by a lot of poncy people, I was told by an 'expert' that what I do is not art because I cannot explain what it means EH?. Her husband is a real artist. She explained that my stuff is 'Just nice'.
Then I realised why Van Gogh lopped his ear off.
Chunko'.

In the meantime I have earned a living for 5 years making 'nice stuff'.

'Whatever', (to quote my teenage boy i am getting to like that expression)

 

[andytm]

Just looked at your website mate very impressive, I've worked with steel from decorative gates to building high performance race cars but never tried sculptures

 

[MalcB]

Got my catalogue today emailed Barry and also spoke on the phone to him DVD on its way so then i'll be able to sort some kit out, thanks for the pm chuncko, I will try to find a camp site near to your place at half term or easter depending on the weather, and make arrangements to come and have a view and yeh I'll treat you to a pint
Malc

 

[chunkolini]

Camping near us? my mate has a campsite on his cider farm. 15 minute bike ride from home, a short detour on my way back from work.
Life is hard.
The Metalcraft people are real people like us.
The original tool was made by the current boss's father after WWII to help disabled servicemen earn a crust making small ornaments etc. Made in a shed, the shed got bigger and bigger, the machine got bigger and bigger.
The ideals stayed the same. They come from Hull.
I asked if it was invented by people who wore grey overalls with three pencils in their top left pocket.
Of course it was.

This is real British engineering at it's best, clever, simple, functional, beautiful and it works. And no I am not being paid to say this.

Chunko'.

 

[Welderpaul]

Nice story behind the Metalcraft empire Chunko. Where did you get the background info...couldnt find it on their website. Nice.

Makes me want to buy one. I like the idea of British engineers, making things in their sheds, wearing grey overalls with three pencils in the top pockets.

 

[chunkolini]

I was talking to Barry Wood, the son of the guy who started the whole business.
The shed story was nice, small shed, bigger shed bigger shed, then the whole garden became a shed.
I will put up post about the powerbender later.

Chunko'.

 

[MalcB]

Got the dvd on saturday and am going to order some kit tomorrow, he's very responsive I rang him at 4:30 fri and at 5:15 was an email with some sugestions, just happened to have some x-demo 2nd hand in so getting a bit of discount, and he is willing to hold them for me, top man! will have to bite the bullit and get some bits made, I am hopeing to get to sell some pieces at the vintage rallies and game fairs, I know it wil last a good few years but its still go to pay for itself and turn me in a bit of profit

 

[chunkolini]

Well done, dont forget Barry is a Yorkshireman so a bargain is good news.
Which set up are going for?
You will find your garage walls will be covered in home made hooks and purpose made brackets in no time. In fact that kind of stuff would sell well to serious Shed Men.
When you get it take your time over installing it, my workbench looked like it had been machine gunned after remounting it a few times. Think about how log the metal you will be working is, and remember that it moves about all over the place as you are rolling it, coffee cup death is mandatory. Tinkle tinkle as you make that lovely curve.

Chunko'.

 

[MalcB]

I am thinking of a seperate work bench for the shed eventually but for now will try mounted on wooden blocks either in the bench vice or as my bench is solid I could make a tressel attachment to mount with some gate hinges or use my workmate, the kit is what he's got in the master range with a twister/basket adaptor and 2.2 scroll former as-well he recons I'll have all the kit I need for the moment. If you've got any ideas differant to the standard stuff in the booklets for me to get started with please pm me some pics or thoughts as to the best way to use it. How would I go about setting a reasonable price above costs of metals etc
thanks for your input
Malc

 

[chunkolini]

The twister?
I used this clamped in a vice, worked a treat.
the scroll maker, I dabbled with this one and sold it on quickly as it was not what i was anting to do.
The strip worker needs bolting down to a table or dedicated stand as it does become quite a physical process as you develop your understanding of it.
Try to find a corner of the bench with a decent radius of space around it.
I did make up a marine ply table, about 650mm square (ish) that clamped onto the strip worker supporting the ends of the strip/bar as it goes through the tool. if I can find it I will send you a photo of the remains.

Pricing and stuff, that is the difficult one. I started off breakign even as I got the measure of it and just popped my prices up as high as i felt confident to. My initial plan was to have a self financing hobby, not a full time job.

Getting used to how much pressure to apply is a laugh, most of the time at first overbending is what happens, and was still happening after several years. It is satisfying to tweak the lever, set the stop and make a perfect curve to your design.

I remember when I unpacked my strip worker thinking 'is that it?' I wanted a huge manly tool, not a small orange thing. I changed my mind within about 30 seconds of usig it.
Chunko'.

Have fun, Chunko'.

 

[MalcB]

The kit orderd today is a Mk2-2 (H) Scroll former Mk3-3F Scroll Former plus Tube Bender components Master RBR Tool Master Twister complete with Basket making components Master Punch/Shear and a starter kit to get me going this weekend. I would like to thank both Barry and Ian for their prompt and helpfull service, Ian even promised me delivery on Thursday afternoon because I'm out in the morning. Even the royal mail scored as the dvd was ordered fri pm and I got it sat am

 

[chunkolini]

Nice one.
do you know any blacksmiths? they hate this gear.
Quote from a neighbour, a blacksmith student.
"Oh, is that your bender, bit small" said very patronisingly.
I rolled him a band of 30x5mm strip and he started swearing and looking excited.
And muttered something about cheating.
You will love this kit.

Chunko'.

 

[MalcB]

All arived as planned this afternoon had a quick look at it and put it back in the box as I was needed to look after the wife it did give me time to look at the design ideas book so all was not lost, and I need to work out a quick release method of mouting it to my bench so that will require a bit of fabrication and welding fun before the fun

 

[spoiltbrat]

hi ive mounted mine on flate plate with a 40 mm box section at the end of a table so i can remove and replace with whatever part i need at the tim i will try take pics for you tonight

 

[mike os]

got any prices guys?