by Tom Stortz | Jun 7, 2023 | Product Reviews
Answering product questions for many years has enabled us to know issues contractors run into repeatedly. These can range from what hand seamer do I need, how do I solder so and so material, and will these snips cuts 22 gauge metal? This post will do the best we can...
by Jeff Stortz | Jan 5, 2023 | Product Reviews
The Seaming Pro v2.0 is back in stock. This new model still provides the roofer ultimate versatility. 3 functions in 1 tool – Single seaming, double seaming, and seam cutting/removal. This lightweight, portable power seamer attaches to a cordless drill and...
by Tom Stortz | Apr 20, 2022 | Education, Product Reviews
Roll Bending Tools The roll bending portable brake has many positive features that make it desirable. Owning and using these types of tools will separate the roofer from the craftsmen because the devil is in the details. Let’s look at 5 positive features of roll...
by Tom Stortz | Nov 29, 2021 | Product Reviews
US Metal Roofing out of Holyoke, MA is a family owned business since 1971. They specialize in mechanically locked, double seamed metal roofs in 24 or 26 gauge steel. The owner Keith understands that doing a successful roofing job is doing it once. This is why...
by Tom Stortz | Aug 25, 2021 | Product Reviews
Among the crucial tools we sell here at John Stortz & Son, which range from power seamers to snow guards, we sell a variety of hand seamers. Basic but essential to the abilities of the sheet metal roofer, hand seamers, seaming pliers and tongs can be used to...
by Tom Stortz | Jul 27, 2021 | Product Reviews
Generally speaking, solder is an alloy which contains tin and lead in varying proportions, occasionally with flux mixed in. While solder has a wide range of commercial and recreational applications, the solder bar stock we sell here is primarily used for sheet metal...
by Tom Stortz | Jul 20, 2021 | Product Reviews
Sheet metal pliers are an essential part of any sheet metal roofer’s repertoire of tools, and even the most highly specialized pliers are still highly versatile tools that can be put to work for a wide range of different applications. In the hands of a skilled sheet...
by Tom Stortz | Jul 16, 2021 | Product Reviews
Slate tile roofing does not simply lend an appeal of elegance to a building. Despite the advances that have been made in roofing technology, slate remains one of the premier roofing materials in the industry. It is not only visually appealing but remarkably resilient...
by Tom Stortz | Jun 22, 2021 | Product Reviews
You know what a hammer is. It is the most basic of all striking implements and variants of it have been used since man’s discovery of simple machines. As a wedge provides the mechanical advantage to separate a medium, a hammer magnifies the force that can be applied...
by Tom Stortz | Jun 15, 2021 | Product Reviews
Anyone who’s spent even a day working in the roofing industry knows it can be a grueling and exhausting job. Without the proper training and tools, it can be even more difficult than it needs to be. As with any labor-intensive job, you want to be able to make things...
by Tom Stortz | May 24, 2021 | Product Reviews
Slate rippers are a central tool in the arsenal of a roofer that works with shingles. The basic design is simple. It usually consists of a long, thin, tempered blade with a notch at the end and a few hooks or notches along the side. These are coupled to a shaft that...
by Tom Stortz | May 11, 2021 | Product Reviews
Spend a little bit of time getting familiar with our collection of sheet metal hammers and you will quickly learn that no two hammers are the same in exactly every way. Truth be told, even two hammers used for sheet metal working or forming won’t be the same, and even...
by Tom Stortz | Apr 27, 2021 | Product Reviews
At a minimum, performing quality work using sheet metal as a roofing material requires two things: experience and the proper tools. With all the proper tools and equipment, but without experience, you’ll have no jumping off point. Likewise, an experience sheet metal...
by Tom Stortz | Mar 31, 2021 | Product Reviews
At John Stortz & Son, we provide a wide range of useful tools of immeasurable quality. While a lot of the focus of the tools we sell may appear as though it’s on sheet metal roofing, we actually sell a wide range of other tools, some of which are designated for...
by Tom Stortz | Mar 18, 2021 | Product Reviews
Some of the more unique and decorative industrial accessories that we sell here at John Stortz & Son are our metal roofing snow guards – but these interesting fixtures of industrial roofs are nothing but simply decorative. In this article, we’ll plumb their...
by Tom Stortz | Mar 14, 2021 | Product Reviews
Sheet metal benders are vital tools for sheet metal roofers and other tradesmen. Although there is fair variety in their size, orientation and operation, these tools allow sheet metal roofers to make precise, angled bends in sheet metal that is vital to folding edges...
by Tom Stortz | Mar 3, 2021 | Product Reviews
Every surface has some sort of finish. Some surfaces have finishes that are intentionally applied, like a clear coat, paint, or a rust preventative. In the case of the two latter options, sometimes these remain on longer than desired or need to be removed and replaced...
by Tom Stortz | Feb 9, 2021 | Product Reviews
Tin snips go by quite a few names, including aviation snips and shears. These are a class of sheet metal cutting tools that are highly useful for workers and craftsmen in a number of industries, including but not limited to roofing. So what exactly are they, and why...
by Tom Stortz | Jan 27, 2021 | Product Reviews
In this article, we’ll give you a quick look into some of the broader categories of the most important sheet metal tools out there. There are others, but without the ability to finely mark, shape and cut sheet metal with some of these, you won’t have much ability to...
by Sam Stortz | Jan 12, 2021 | Product Reviews
At some point or other, every sheet metal roofer is going to need the help of a quality metal roll bender to make perfect bends and alterations to the aforesaid medium. Just like slate hammers are to slate roofers and brick hammers are to masons, metal roll benders...
by Tom Stortz | Dec 29, 2020 | Product Reviews
Metal snow roof guards are often part of a larger snow retention system, oftentimes for slate roofs in addition to metal roofs. Being called metal roof snow guards, the term “metal” may refer not only to the roofing material but also to the material of the type of...
by Tom Stortz | Dec 14, 2020 | Product Reviews
At John Stortz & Son, we don’t just sell metal cutting tools – we offer the entire kit and kaboodle of carefully crafted, high quality tools for roofers, masons and many other craftsmen. Since 1853, tradesmen around the region and the country have turned to...
by Jeff Stortz | Aug 20, 2020 | Product Reviews
Masc Nibbler II: What’s new? Reinforced handles / Improved Leverage: Overall stronger construction means easier cutting on 24ga steel (max .7mm) Contoured Nose: Slimmer profile make it easier to make continous cuts Have you ever struggled to clip your...
by Jeff Stortz | Apr 9, 2020 | Product Reviews
Our most popular Finish Seamer gets a makeover! The Biegetec PVC Finish Seamer has been one of the most popular locking tools year after year. Its unique design allows the user to lock the first stage and the second stage without needing a second tool. In addition,...
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 | 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 | Jan 18, 2019 | Product Reviews
Curious as to what our top sellers are for the metal roofing industry? In this post we review not only the most popular, but the highest rated metal roofing tools from 2018 in the Stortz catalog. Take a look below and find out what you’re missing! Biegetec...
by Jeff Stortz | Dec 13, 2018 | Product Reviews
The pictures below document the installation of a Sieger heavy duty snow guard on a slate roof. While retrofit hook snow guards are quick and simply installed, there is a case to be made regarding the fact that the nail is already serving a purpose of holding the...
by Jeff Stortz | Nov 30, 2018 | Product Reviews
How do these pliers differ from what you may find at your local roofing supply store? Strength – The size and weight of the pliers allow for ample leverage on any metal. The heavy duty models allow for a particularly strong grip and the handles offer minimal...
by Jeff Stortz | Sep 26, 2018 | Product Reviews
Limited time COMBO DEALS Sale! Eaves Locking Bundle5/52 customer reviews $530.00 $495.00 Sale! Mechanical Lock Seaming Bundle5/51 customer reviews $580.00 $539.00 60 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS RAU Systems has been manufacturing German made sheet bending and...
by Tom Stortz | Aug 1, 2018 | Product Reviews
Craig Hardin from Hardin Construction is no stranger to working with mechanical lock standing seam panels. Here he shows how he single and double locks 26ga painted steel panels using the same tool for both stages. The Biegetec Finish Seamer is ideal for any painted...
by Tom Stortz | Apr 9, 2018 | Product Reviews
BiegetecAT, an Austrian company, has taken strides towards designing and improving the tools that we see in the metal roofing industry. Their decades of experience in sheet metal roofing shines through with products like: The brand new Accu-Seamer, which is a...
by Tom Stortz | Jan 12, 2018 | Product Reviews
Biegetec Finish Seamer “What took so long….This seamer is a must have for anyone who does painted Aluminum or steel double lock standing seam. I couldn’t be happier with it’s performance!“ -Walt Frisch Construction (verified owner) “This is definitely...
by Tom Stortz | Jul 19, 2017 | Product Reviews
Half round gutters are a great way to increase the value of a home while adding a unique ageless look and feel. There are many reasons why adding half round gutters is a good choice for a rainfall system on a home. Half-round gutters are low maintenance systems that...
by Tom Stortz | Jul 14, 2017 | Product Reviews
How often do you find yourself needing a soldering iron for gutters or flashing? It’s a part of being a sheet metal worker and having the right equipment is a must. A clear sign that sub par work is on its way is using an open flame torch for a soldering job....
by Tom Stortz | Mar 10, 2017 | Product Reviews
Biegetec Finish Hand Seamer A true finish hand seamer that will not scratch the paint coating on your standing seam panels. The Biegetec hand seamer has plastic, removable, insets that guarantee a clean, non-marring bend. The tool stands at 18″ which is an...
by Tom Stortz | Aug 18, 2016 | Product Reviews
NEW PRODUCT REVIEW: Wuko 6200 Uber Uni BenderDetails5/56 customer reviews $500.00 Wuko 8200 Hem Bender 8”Details5/51 customer reviews $995.00 Wuko 7200 Uber Duo BenderDetails5/52 customer reviews $750.00 – $850.00 Who Should Own These Tools?...
by Tom Stortz | Jul 6, 2016 | Product Reviews
Craig Hardin of Hardin Construction Craig has done metal roofing work in the Frederick, MD area since 2004. He made the cover of the Metal Architecture Magazine-April 2015 edition. Here is his response of his favorite roofing tool. I would have to say that a must have...
by Tom Stortz | May 24, 2016 | Education, Product Reviews
Draco is a tool manufacturer in Germany that began in 1951. They produce a wide range of sheet metal cutting shears, bending / crimping hand tools, and larger pan formers and brakes. I was sent a disc with many product videos that I felt were educational and I wanted...
by Tom Stortz | May 24, 2016 | Product Reviews
There is nothing more comforting when shopping online than customer reviews. It gives insight into what someone thought after using the product for an actual application instead of advertising jargon. This is one reason why Amazon has become such a juggernaut because...
by Tom Stortz | May 18, 2016 | Product Reviews
If you work with metal, there is a good chance you’ve needed to solder. There are 5 main brands of Soldering Irons that we sell on a daily basis and they are Express, Sievert, Perkeo, Aero, and American Beauty. Below is a 2 question survey that asks which brand...
by Tom Stortz | Mar 28, 2016 | Product Reviews
Elten Roofing Shoe You’ve tried Cougar Paws, Red Wing Work Boots, and now you are looking for a steel tip boot that provides strength and comfort. German company Elten has your answer. This is a pre-order and lead time will be ~3 weeks. If you see another shoe...
by Tom Stortz | Jul 15, 2015 | Product Reviews
The Draco family of power shears has been producing quality cutting tools for various sheet metal trades since 1951. They are a multi-national group doing business with more than 60 foreign agencies. At Stortz Tools, we are adopting some of the Draco cutting shears...
by Tom Stortz | Jun 4, 2015 | Product Reviews
These 2 tools have a similar function and subtleties that one should know before making a buying decision. Here are the features of each. Wuko 2204 Uni-Bender One set of main rollers and two side rollers. Side rollers act as a support for the material and are close...
by Tom Stortz | Dec 5, 2014 | Product Reviews
Wuko Inc is an Austrian company who is an industry leader in bending, forming, and cutting sheet metal. These long lasting tools will simplify work routines that used to take hours and save on labor immensely. Wuko tools are cutting edge technology and will help you...
by Tom Stortz | Aug 19, 2014 | Product Reviews
At first glance a hand seamer serves one function, to bend sheet metal. Like most other tools, something so simple can be broken down into targeted styles depending on the application. This entry will look into the different attributes of hand seamers and what to...
by Tom Stortz | May 22, 2014 | Product Reviews
How often do you get in a roofing situation where you do not have the right tool for the job? You end up using a makeshift item and end up doing more damage than good. Standing seam roofs are not a type of roof any roofer can pull off. It requires experience and...
