[TheForge] Ironworkers

[ries]

I have had a 50 ton Geka for ten years or so now.
I love it.
I certainly dont use it every day, but when I need it, I REALLY like  
having it.

Since I do a lot of stainless steel, I tend to shear stainless with it  
quite a bit.
I have a cold saw that is too fast for stainless, so when I need  
stainless cut to size, its either horizontal bandsaw (slow) or  
ironworker- very quick.
I have sheared tens of thousands of pieces of round, square, and flat  
bar with it.
But the number one use is definitely the punch.
I use that pretty often, even for holes as small as 3/16".
Punching is so quick, and since my machine is a Geka, it came with the  
really accurate gaging table that is stock on all Gekas- it has quick  
release handles for stops in both x and y, with built in stainless  
steel rulers. NO measuring, to center punching, no marking, no  
squinting, no wrong parts. You set the stop for 1" in and 3" from the  
end, you push the part up to the stops, and wham, the hole is there,  
in the right place.
I punch a lot of bigger holes- 1/2" and 3/4" holes that are really a  
pain to drill, especially in 3/8" or 1/2" plate. It takes longer to  
write about it than to punch a hole.
I also punch square holes, and oval slots- handy for hanging or  
adjustment devices, and the squares are the right size for square bar  
to fit right thru.

If you do any kind of volume that requires holes, it saves time,  
money, and frustration.

ries


On Jul 8, 2010, at 5:57 AM, Cindy and James wrote:

Do any of you guys use an ironworker in your shops?
If so, what size machine and what brand?
What is the most common use you have for it?

James
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Ries Niemi
Industrial Artist
http://www.riesniemi.com/