Elite Metal Tools Articles

Jointing & Planing are two of the most important functions within a woodworking shop. Jointing & planning is largely about precision—a great work of craftsmanship can be ruined by only a couple millimeters. But to stay accurate to the millimeter, what sacrifices will you make with combination jointer planers? We break down the upsides and downsides of utilizing these space-saving machines and share our own thoughts.

Milling Machines are often the catch-all of a metalworking shop. With more applications than we could name, milling machines are a highly versatile addition to any shop. But there are many things to consider before buying a new milling machine—your application, operating volume, capacity needs, etc.

Whether it be excess material, a deformity in the metal, or a sharp edge that needs removed, using sanders and grinders is daily task for most metalworkers. In many cases, with new projects or products, you may not know what tool or machine is best for your application. When working with abrasives and metal, both effectiveness and safety are high priorities. The goal, whenever using abrasives, is to remove material from the work piece. Depending on the size of your work piece, amount of material needing removed, and desired speed of operation, different machines may fit better for your shop.

Precision is arguably the most important aspect of woodworking—a great work of craftsmanship can be ruined by only a couple millimeters. Luckily for us, there are tools specifically made to accurately size, shape, and level workpieces and eliminate deformities. Two such tools are jointers and planers.

The most commonly asked question regarding CNC cutting tables is “What type is the best?”. It’s a great question, and a very important question—but has many different answers. There are a lot of factors involved in choosing between a plasma table, waterjet table, and laser table. Capabilities, upfront cost, cost to operate, cutting precision and quality, production rate, and adaptability are all important considerations to make when deciding to purchase a CNC cutting machine. This guide will discuss the pros and cons of each machine based on the aspects that customers have found valuable in the past.

In 2018, the Farm Bill federally allowed the growing of hemp for hemp-derived products including supplements, textiles, food products, and commercial materials. Utilizing unique attributes of different cannabis species, industrial farming and processing has created the opportunity to create new products, improve existing products, and create a more sustainable model for the future. This young industry continues to grow, and with that growth comes many questions about best practices, economic sustainability, and longevity of the production, processing, and use of hemp. We at Elite Metal Tools are invested in laying the groundwork for an industry that can create sustainability in the industrial world.

Whether it’s done in the shop or on the job site, accurately cutting sheets of wood, MDF board, plastic, or other sheet goods usually requires a table saw and often a second person to lift heavy sheets on and off the saw. But there isn’t always a spare employee available, particularly these days, when many formerly busy contractors are glad to take on any one-man job they can get.

Whether it’s a backyard or the front of a business, landscaping should be treated as a work of art—one that leaves a lasting impression. Like most artwork, landscaping is the combination of several elements. The goal is to seamlessly blend the natural world with the man-made. A tool used to balance these elements is flexible landscape edging. The best of which are the products from Permaloc Edging, an edging solutions provider committed to sustainability, quality, and product innovation

For many shops or businesses, a press brake is crucial during production. Press Brakes, like band saws, shears, and sanders, are industry standards on a shop floor—so when choosing a machine for your shop or business, there are many things to consider to assure it is the best press brake for you.

Choosing the correct saw for your shop or business is an important step in having efficient and effective production of end products. Knowing the differences in abrasive saws versus cold saws will allow you to make the right choice for your own applications. Like all machines, these saws have advantages and limitations that should be addressed before purchasing.