Ironworker arrival

[4shorts]

Well I had just left the shop yesterday and got in the house when I heard the pissh of an air brake so I knew it had to be the new Edwards Ironworker I ordered three weeks ago. This one is the 60 ton model. I ordered it with a set of punches, a heavy duty gauging table kit, pedestal die table,48" manual back gauge, a fabricators protractor and a 8" four way brake.

The ironworker came standard with the electric stroke control, coper/notcher and angle /plate share so It's well equipped.

Edwards fit and finish of these machines are fantastic. All good components are used such as a Leeson 5 HP motor. The Ironworker was very well packaged and everything that was ordered arrived which was a Hugh plus. After I got it all unpacked I started to install the optional items such as the 1" thick gauging table. I also ordered a couple of flexible magnetic lights from another source to put on the thing. I like lots of light. After I ran the 220 single phase power to the machine it fired right up and worked great. The last photo shows the 1/4 plate I practiced on. It did that with so little effort I could hardly believe it. Made in the USA was a big plus as well. Here's how it looks.

 

[4shorts]

Some more pics.

 

[4shorts]

Some more photos of the thing!

 

[4shorts]

The first use of the machine. 1/4 plate

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Edwards are the best kept secrets in the ironworker industry. Congratulations. Now build something.lol

 

[Kernopelli]

Saweeet! There's a puddle of drool shorting out the keyboard as I type. Now jerk those safety shields off and get to work!

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Have you sheared any angle iron with it yet? I have a Metal pro ironworker and when I shear angle iron I lose 3/8" every time I make a cut because it has to make a double cut to keep from distorting the angle. I was curious as to whether the Edwards was the same way. You will love your ironworker. I use the punch and the shear the most. It sure makes life easier when you fabricate a lot.
Bill

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Man, I just had to come back and say you are making me jealous. I just took a deposit to build another trailer...could sure save some time.

I have a friend with a 25 ton scotsman he wants to get rid of, at a very very reasonable price. I think he will let me "borrow" it for a while... Maybe I'll just go down and see.....

 

[MarkV]

Ok help me out here. I have never spent any real time around metal working machines. What can a "Ironworker" do. I am guessing it will shear metal up to a given size and serve as a punch. Does it have other functions?

MarkV

 

[4shorts]

Edwards are the best kept secrets in the ironworker industry. Congratulations. Now build something.lol

Mark I think your right about that

Saweeet! There's a puddle of drool shorting out the keyboard as I type. Now jerk those safety shields off and get to work!

Darryl sorry about the drooling problem :laughing: I'll have to leave the shields on until I know what I'm doing with this thing Glad you enjoyed seeing it.

Man, I just had to come back and say you are making me jealous. I just took a deposit to build another trailer...could sure save some time.

I have a friend with a 25 ton scotsman he wants to get rid of, at a very very reasonable price. I think he will let me "borrow" it for a while... Maybe I'll just go down and see.....

Oh man go for it. You'll be spoiled if you just borrow it. no more using cut off saws from now on for me unless I'm out in the field.

Ok help me out here. I have never spent any real time around metal working machines. What can a "Ironworker" do. I am guessing it will shear metal up to a given size and serve as a punch. Does it have other functions?

MarkV

They can shear plate, this one up to 14" wide. They can notch plate and can cut angle iron and punch holes in plate and angle iron. I also purchased a 4 way brake with this so I can bend metal as well such as brackets ... If you work with metal it will be your best friend.

Have you sheared any angle iron with it yet? I have a Metal pro ironworker and when I shear angle iron I lose 3/8" every time I make a cut because it has to make a double cut to keep from distorting the angle. I was curious as to whether the Edwards was the same way. You will love your ironworker. I use the punch and the shear the most. It sure makes life easier when you fabricate a lot.
Bill

Good question Bill so I put some steel angle iron in. All I had here was 1/8th x2" so I made a few cuts and there was no distortion at all on any of the pieces. I also cut some 1/4 aluminum angle as well with no distortion. I snapped a few pics of it to show you. Maybe you just got a blade out of adjustment?

 

[Kernopelli]

Ok help me out here. I have never spent any real time around metal working machines. What can a "Ironworker" do. I am guessing it will shear metal up to a given size and serve as a punch. Does it have other functions?

MarkV

They are so useful. Yes, they cut, shear, notch, punch, bend...tube, sheet, angle, channel, etc but they make doing these things so fast and precise. An experienced operator can make duplicate items or custom work that looks like factory made ( or better) and do it fast. The first time you watch a good operator run one you see how they utilize all the functions and what it means to be able to stand at one station and make a cut, punch a row of holes, notch some corners then make a couple of bends and presto...you've got a custom bracket or hanger or whatever.....it's like magic! I've got to go take a cold shower..... Check out some of the manufacturer's demo videos on You Tube

 

[lostcause]

Good question Bill so I put some steel angle iron in. All I had here was 1/8th x2" so I made a few cuts and there was no distortion at all on any of the pieces. I also cut some 1/4 aluminum angle as well with no distortion. I snapped a few pics of it to show you. Maybe you just got a blade out of adjustment?

i'm not completely familiar with either of these exact models, but i know the metalpro uses a slug-type shear. i'm assuming that the edwards doesn't. the slug-type shear is very much like a punch where it pushes a small piece out when cutting, hence the term slug. i would guess this may have to do with requiring support on both sides of the shear to keep the metal from tipping up while cutting. some metalworking machines i have seen/used have hydraulic hold down clamps that engage before the shear.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

i'm not completely familiar with either of these exact models, but i know the metalpro uses a slug-type shear. i'm assuming that the edwards doesn't. the slug-type shear is very much like a punch where it pushes a small piece out when cutting, hence the term slug. i would guess this may have to do with requiring support on both sides of the shear to keep the metal from tipping up while cutting. some metalworking machines i have seen/used have hydraulic hold down clamps that engage before the shear.

Aparently mine is a slug type shear. I called the manufacturer when I got it and they said this was normal. This probably also reflects in the price. The Edwards are top of the line but out of my price range.
Bill

 

[4shorts]

Aparently mine is a slug type shear. I called the manufacturer when I got it and they said this was normal. This probably also reflects in the price. The Edwards are top of the line but out of my price range.
Bill

Bill it's still better than a torch or cut off saw. I've seen them on Youtube and looked like a nice machine.

The Ironworkers I looked at were GEKA. Great machine but expensive. The Piranah was an outstanding machine but my quote for a P50 (50 ton) was $30.000 plus shipping plus options which was nuts.

The Scotchman is a good unit but more than the Edwards with out any tooling. The Baileigh is another very good unit but just to expensive for my taste.

I went with the Edwards because it was under $10.000 with nice options included. The tooling may take a little longer to change over but that didn't matter much to me and I got the 60 ton model with a pile of tooling for much less than the other ones mentioned. I've used this Edwards all day now and I think it's the best deal that's out there hands down. Makes perfect cuts and built like a battle ship plus it's built in the USA :thumbsup:

 

[dfkrug]

This one is the 60 ton model. I ordered it with a set of punches, a heavy duty gauging table kit, pedestal die table,48" manual back gauge, a fabricators protractor and a 8" four way brake.

Fantastic tool, you big tease.

 

[jayste]

A big "Tim the Tool Man" "Ahhhooooo" to that new ironworker! :thumbsup:

 

[1grnlwn]

Bill it's still better than a torch or cut off saw. I've seen them on Youtube and looked like a nice machine.

The Ironworkers I looked at were GEKA. Great machine but expensive. The Piranah was an outstanding machine but my quote for a P50 (50 ton) was $30.000 plus shipping plus options which was nuts.

The Scotchman is a good unit but more than the Edwards with out any tooling. The Baileigh is another very good unit but just to expensive for my taste.

I went with the Edwards because it was under $10.000 with nice options included. The tooling may take a little longer to change over but that didn't matter much to me and I got the 60 ton model with a pile of tooling for much less than the other ones mentioned. I've used this Edwards all day now and I think it's the best deal that's out there hands down. Makes perfect cuts and built like a battle ship plus it's built in the USA :thumbsup:

I wish more Americans had as much American Pride as our favorite Canadian.

 

[Stampeder]

Bill it's still better than a torch or cut off saw. I've seen them on Youtube and looked like a nice machine.

The Ironworkers I looked at were GEKA. Great machine but expensive. The Piranah was an outstanding machine but my quote for a P50 (50 ton) was $30.000 plus shipping plus options which was nuts.

The Scotchman is a good unit but more than the Edwards with out any tooling. The Baileigh is another very good unit but just to expensive for my taste.

I went with the Edwards because it was under $10.000 with nice options included. The tooling may take a little longer to change over but that didn't matter much to me and I got the 60 ton model with a pile of tooling for much less than the other ones mentioned. I've used this Edwards all day now and I think it's the best deal that's out there hands down. Makes perfect cuts and built like a battle ship plus it's built in the USA :thumbsup:

I must have missed this email earlier, and I"m shocked at the price you paid for your iron worker. You can't even buy a USED Scotchman down here for that let alone it be 60 ton. WOW, I can see why you purchase it. Way to go Paul!!!:thumbsup:

 

[4shorts]

I wish more Americans had as much American Pride as our favorite Canadian.

Thank you my friend. I know many Americans and all of them are considered friends. I have a buddy in Iowa that I've known for over 10 years. Our family's exchange Christmas gifts every year and I've never met him in person. we chat each week via net and some times we call. I designed a Die cast Mack B61 for his web page. you'll see it in one of the photo's I just added for your viewing pleasure.

My Army son has worked along side the American troops and we all look at Americans as our friends. I'm glad you noticed the pride because it's really there.

I must have missed this email earlier, and I"m shocked at the price you paid for your iron worker. You can't even buy a USED Scotchman down here for that let alone it be 60 ton. WOW, I can see why you purchase it. Way to go Paul!!!:thumbsup:

Edwards is by far the best value out there in the Ironworkers. I'm not saying it's the best because I've never seen another Ironworker before but they're the best value in my opinion. I should have had this years ago. It's built like a battleship and it's made in the good old USA Just can't get this smile off my face

 

[dcyrilc]

Thank you my friend. I know many Americans and all of them are considered friends. I have a buddy in Iowa that I've known for over 10 years. Our family's exchange Christmas gifts every year and I've never met him in person. we chat each week via net and some times we call. I designed a Die cast Mack B61 for his web page. you'll see it in one of the photo's I just added for your viewing pleasure.

My Army son has worked along side the American troops and we all look at Americans as our friends. I'm glad you noticed the pride because it's really there.





Edwards is by far the best value out there in the Ironworkers. I'm not saying it's the best because I've never seen another Ironworker before but they're the best value in my opinion. I should have had this years ago. It's built like a battleship and it's made in the good old USA Just can't get this smile off my face

I see that you have quite the collection, but I don't see an antique traffic signal in there. I might have to look at what it would take to ship one your way for restoration. IMO, it would look good in your collection.:thumbsup: