Looking for an ironworker

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I have a wrought iron fence project coming up & instead buying pre punched channel I am going to buy an ironworker.  I would like to find a good used Scotchman or equivalent but I cant find any in my budget.  I may buy a Metal Pro 4500.  I called them to ask if the channel I will be using will fit under the punch & they were very helpful.  They said a lot of fence guys buy  the 4500.  Has anyone had experience with Metal Pro.  Or know of some good ironworkers near Missouri & Illinois.Miller XMT 304 cc/cvMiller 12RC w/ 15ft Tweco #4 GunMiller 30A SpoolgunCustom Thermal Arc TA 10/270 Generator "Thermal Star"Smith oxy/acet-propane with weld, cut & rosebud tipsAnd of course grinders, chop saws, hand tools
Reply:Don't have one, but would love to know exactly what it does other tools can not that makes it so desirable . . :-)SteveMillermatic® 251
Reply:Punch holes, notch angles, shear plate, angles, rods, some even tube.  Press brake attachments.  Press & shear spear tops for fences. Miller XMT 304 cc/cvMiller 12RC w/ 15ft Tweco #4 GunMiller 30A SpoolgunCustom Thermal Arc TA 10/270 Generator "Thermal Star"Smith oxy/acet-propane with weld, cut & rosebud tipsAnd of course grinders, chop saws, hand tools
Reply:Update: The job I was hoping for never came through yet.  I do have a couple railing jobs for a regular customer.  I have checked how much to get pre-punched channel or have another shop punch it for me & I really want to do the punching myself.  I came across Unipunch which are mainly for use in press brakes but I think they could be used in a shop press.  I need a way to punch 1/2" holes in channel & I think this may be the way to go.  If anyone knows anything about these punches or another product that could do what I need please comment. I have found all sizes of Unipunch products on e-bay I just don't know which one will work for what I need to do.Miller XMT 304 cc/cvMiller 12RC w/ 15ft Tweco #4 GunMiller 30A SpoolgunCustom Thermal Arc TA 10/270 Generator "Thermal Star"Smith oxy/acet-propane with weld, cut & rosebud tipsAnd of course grinders, chop saws, hand tools
Reply:It is convenient to use punched channel.  However it is not always convenient to punch channel.  The most important thing is a gauging table. It must adjust up and down to keep metal level with die, if not the metal will distort/bow- time consuming to straighten.  It must have a fence to set up for different size channel and a stop for finding centers quickly.  It only takes 8 tons to punch a .5 dia hole in 1/8 metal,  I think 9-10 for a square hole.  You are wise to look at unipunches.  perhaps you can make something dedicated for channel.  You need a good source for dies.  rectangle dies for pitched rails.  --- so make sure your punch will hold the rect. die size and have the capacity to punch the metal.  http://www.vogeltool.com/index.html
Reply:I got a Unipunch & made a guide to feed channel.  This works awesome.  I made a stop that fits in the last hole punched & it adjusts from a little under 1.5" to over 12" spacing.  I punched all the channel for the project I am working on in less time than it took to fab this toy up.  I really want to do more railings now. Attached ImagesMiller XMT 304 cc/cvMiller 12RC w/ 15ft Tweco #4 GunMiller 30A SpoolgunCustom Thermal Arc TA 10/270 Generator "Thermal Star"Smith oxy/acet-propane with weld, cut & rosebud tipsAnd of course grinders, chop saws, hand tools
Reply:Nice.  I would consider a larger hammer plate rather than the pin.
Reply:Originally Posted by osweldI am going to buy an ironworker.