Chunkolini, or others, Mastercraft questions

[echosierra3]

Chunkolini, I wonder if you could answer a question about what range of Mastercraft tools you use. I am trying to decide between the Master series and the XL5+ series. XL seems like overkill and the Master seems a tad light. Could use your input please. Thanks kindly!

 

[chunkolini]

Hi Echosierra
I started out using the Metalcraft Master Strip worker, used it daily for several years, great piece of kit, it bends, rolls, punches and shears up to 30x5mm strip and 10mm bar. They have discontinued the strip worker and replaced it with a roller/bender and punch shear.
Two years back I upgraded it for the XL5 ower bender, awsome tool! edge bends 30x5mm strip maybe even bigger, will roll 20mm solid bar and 25mm tube. Same techniques as the strip worker just cleverer.
Here are a couple of pictures.
Bending 30x5mm strip on edge

Playing about at bending 25x3mm box section


I bought the power bender specifically to make this, a Garden Dome made from ribs of edge bent 30x5mm strip supporting a frame of 23mm bar, the ribs are made in pairs and rivetted together. I was amazed by how easy it was to get the curves consistent, and by how easy it is to 'uncurve' them when they go too tight.


Since buying it I have made loads of work featuring edge bent strip, great for swoopy curves and bold lines.

When I got the master strip worker I thought 'is that it?' massively unimpressed. It looked so small almost toylike. Then I used it. As is so often the case with quality tools it is design not macho looks that work.
The XL5 bender is much more versatile, but you do need to fork out for the edge bender kit and the gradual bender thingy; the tube and bar rolling kit is also worth the extra. A pricy set up for the whole kit but the world is your oyster.

Have a look at the metal craft website http://metalcraft.homes.radianhost.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=13 who is that 'Alan Ross' character.
I went to visit the factory last year, a great bunch of guys and a proper family business.

What would I reccomend? have a big think about your budget, either is a great set up but the power bender gives you a lot of room to expand and unleash your creativity. Pretty much everything on my website is made with this gear.

There are some convincing looking and I gather badly made knockoffs circulating on ebay. The Powerbender is not on the Metalcraft website due to 'issues' but if you ask them for a brochure it is in there. Tell them Chunkolini sent you along.

Whichever way you go you cant go wrong.

Hope that helps.
Chunko'.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I agree with Chunko..I have a couple of their 'mid range' tools, a scroll maker and a RBR tool and they simply work great, I also owned a set of the Chinese copies...simply not engineered to the same high standard.

If I was to buy any more I would always go for the 'overkill' can't beat having the best if the budget allows it.

 

[Premiershipman]

What price are you looking at roughly for the metal craft tools ?

All it has is request price on the website.

Cheers
Shady

 

[chunkolini]

Prices? cant remember and would hate to get it wrong, email them and ask for Barry, ask him to send you a copy of the DVD which gives an idea of the capability of the tools. Also let him know that Chunkolini sent you along from this forum.
I am not on any commission, just swear by their tools.

Chunko'.

 

[Premiershipman]

Cheers chunko, I have registered on the website and it appears that they use your location when you register to calculate the prices so once they have processed the registration I will get an idea of prices.

I did mention yourself when I registered so see if I can wangle a discount !!! Hee hee..

 

[the snooper]

Cheers chunko, I did mention yourself when I registered so see if I can wangle a discount !!! Hee hee..

thats you done for then 50% added

 

[echosierra3]

Thank you very much for the info, I really appreciate it. The dvd is on the way and I guess I'll make a decision after viewing it. Probably go with the XL5+, we'll see. THX all!

 

[strube1369]

thats you done for then 50% added

We always used to say "fireman's discount". Normal retail plus 10%...

 

[echosierra3]

Wish I could get a fireman's discount, that LX5 is pricy!

 

[Shox Dr]

Wish I could get a fireman's discount, that LX5 is pricy!

Think yourself lucky you don't live in the UK. If you did you could add 10-15% Duty on the cost of the bender and shipping then 20% VAT on the lot.