by Jeff Stortz | Jan 10, 2020 | Product Reviews
At every year end, we like to take a close look at the exceptional products that our customers had great things to say about. These are our most highly reveiwed products from year 2019. Each review is from a verified purchaser who took the time to tell us what they...
by Tom Stortz | Nov 19, 2019 | Trip Report
Back in 1853, slate rippers were heated in coal fires and forged at our facility in Philadelphia. Today they are forged and milled to specifications so that every ripper falls between the same tolerance range. Watching the hard work that goes into every ripper will...
by Tom Stortz | Oct 28, 2019 | Trip Report
Metalcon 2019 – Pittsburgh, PA Metalcon is the largest international exhibition in the metal construction industry. Metalcon boasts: Over 250 leading manufacturers and service providerDaily complimentary keynotes and panel discussionsHigh level networking...
by Tom Stortz | Oct 10, 2019 | Product Reviews
The “Uni” Bender If you are a first time buyer and not familiar with these types of roller benders, you’ll look to a “uni” bender. The name uni comes from there being 1 main set of wheels, and 2 sets of guiding wheels, which will do the...
by Tom Stortz | Aug 14, 2019 | Education
Soldering is Expensive New irons and tips replace worn out equipment. Bar solder needs are a constant expense. Once you buy a certain brand of iron, it makes sense to stick with it for economical sense. Learn why the Sievert line of irons may be worth your hard earned...
by Jeff Stortz | Jul 31, 2019 | Education
We Have Added Fixed & Expansion Cleats to our Product Line! Clips are an integral part to any roofing system. Incorrect clip selection, installation, or quantity can result in total roof failure. We offer fixed and expansion cleats for both 1″ &...
by Tom Stortz | Jun 26, 2019 | Education
Slate holds about a 1% foothold in the overall roofing material pie chart, maybe less. A simple goal would be to grow it to 2%. If natural slate is going to continue to be installed on exterior and interior projects, the industry is going to have to join together....
by Tom Stortz | May 17, 2019 | Education
Notching Panels Hemming Panels Notching the seams/ribs off is required when preparing standing seam panels for installation. Depending on the seam type and metal thickness, notching can be simple or rather difficult. After the panels are notched appropriately, the...
by Tom Stortz | May 6, 2019 | Education
Natural Slate vs Synthetic Slate The topic of this post addresses the appropriation of the term slate. Appropriation is the action of taking something for one’s own use, typically without the owner’s permission. The manufacturers of synthetic slate have...
by Tom Stortz | Mar 29, 2019 | Education
SOLDERING 101: Essentials for Roof Soldering ✅ Solder ✅ Forming Equipment ✅ Abrasives ✅ Flux & Flux Bottle + Brush ✅ Heat Source / Soldering Iron ✅ Sal-Ammoniac Bar & Cleaning Mixture ✅ Fire Safety Equipment Solder Solder is defined as a low melting alloy that...
by Tom Stortz | Feb 25, 2019 | Education
The type of metal you are working on has a lot to do with what finishing details you are able to perform. Copper and zinc, being softer materials, are able to form and maneuver easily. When working with 24 gauge painted steel, you are more limited. This series of...
by Tom Stortz | Feb 21, 2019 | Education
Slate Roof Accessibility 1. Acro Slate Brackets The Acro Slate roof bracket is a shear necessity if you are setting up staging on a slate roof. The tongue portion hooks onto a roofing nail (at least a 16 penny nail, 3 1/2″) and then 2 more are then used to...
