I bought a tool I really don't need.

I did it again. While wandering through Northern Tool yesterday, I strolled down the clearance isle. They had marked the clearance prices down 60%. Laying there, on the shelf, was a pneumatic flange tool that was marked down to $40 and they were giving 60% off of that price. I couldn't help myself, I had to buy it. I honestly don't know if I will ever need to use it, but I've got one. Apparently, it even punches holes.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/6FQN0jiLY1E

It's an affliction that is almost worse than buying cars.

I bought one of those too, a couple years ago. Never used it yet, but when I do.... boy howdy, I'll be ready!

Bought similar prolly 10 years ago, maybe the same one. Very handy for flanged patches vs butt welds and I trim some of the flange usually as it's a bit much. Never counted much on the punch till I needed it then it was invaluable. Even used the 3/16 slug punch outs to fill holes w/ mig before after dimpling. It's a win. Remember the air tool oil.

So...would that be used when replacing sheet metal on body work to create a weldable overlap? Just asking...for a friend...

I think so. You use the flange side to make the flange, then use the punch to create plug weld spots.

For 16 bucks I'd have bought it too.

What diameter is the punch and how deep in can it reach out of curiosity?

Last tool I got like that was a caliper compression tool kit. I got it as one of those free rental tools and liked I so much I kept it. It also helped that it was a brand new one I was the first one to rent it. I used it once and kept it thinking I would use it many times. That was a coupole years ago and I have not used it again.

dean1484 wrote: Last tool I got like that was a caliper compression tool kit. I got it as one of those free rental tools and liked I so much I kept it. It also helped that it was a brand new one I was the first one to rent it. I used it once and kept it thinking I would use it many times. That was a coupole years ago and I have not used it again.

I got tired of renting those and bought one from Amazon. The Taurus has the screw-in pistons on the rear, that car eats rear brakes like I eat pizza, so it's come in handy several times.

I use mine on a fairly regular basis. Mostly the hole punch feature since I prefer to but weld panels unless they came from the factory as a lap joint.

I used to make the punched hole larger with a 1/4" drill bit when doing plug welds on tin, but have since figured that cranking up the volts by two settings and using a low wire feed makes for better results using the small hole as made by the punch.

Toyman01 wrote: It's an affliction that is almost worse than buying cars.

At least tools don't pile up in the yard!

If they do, well then......

I have the HF version of that flanger/puncher. I have no welder I've used it once to make a flange on something, but damned if I can remember what now.

I used one to punch holes and flange on a race car repair. I think I got it from Northern, but it may have been HF. In any case, it became another hammer. It would constantly jam into whatever hole I was trying to punch and wouldn't release. I got to where I was jamming a screwdriver between the jaws to get it to back up out of the hole. The flanging part was OK, but I don't think this tool is good for anything but really thin sheetmetal, which is not what older cars are made of.

Had the same kind of luck with a cheap air driven body saw. There are some tools that just have to be quality up front. I buy cheap stuff like this when I think I'll only use it once or twice, but in this case, more hammers was the result.