Increase In-House Manufacturing Capacity

Increase In-House

Manufacturing Capacity

Many fencing professionals are installers, but challenging issues are driving more and more fence companies into increasing in-house manufacturing capacity. Vogel Tool & Die, one of the oldest suppliers to the fence industry, helps make in-house manufacturing within reach for many fence companies that install chain link and metal ornamental fences.

Vogel invented the pipe notcher in the 1930’s for chain link installation, and today, it remains one of their top selling tools. While their hand press is a staple on job sites, some fence companies may not realize that for many years, Vogel has offered a bench-top power press. “This hydraulic press can not only step up your notching game, it is also the gateway to in-house manufacturing of multiple parts needed for a variety of types of fencing,” explains Larry Siegal, sales manager with Vogel Tool & Die.

Vogel’s power press option has become a game changer for many fence shops. By offering a turntable, Vogel’s power press permits installing three different sized notchers. “This eliminates changeover time as well as the risk of installing a punch with a mismatched die, something that can be a safety risk and result in damaged tooling,” Siegal says.

“However, the real benefit of Vogel’s press is its power and versatility. With a compact footprint, less than two feet wide, the power press can be set up on a workbench,” he says. “Since it requires standard 120V power with a standard three-prong plug, typical installation is simple. Despite its modest appearance, this press can generate up to 25 tons of power, enough for specialized tooling, like notching schedule 80 (oil field) pipe and more.”

Once shops make the decision to upgrade to power, Vogel’s broad range of tooling really opens the door to doing more in house. For companies building larger panels or big cantilever gates, making a cross brace that will mate on an angle is a challenge.

Vogel’s Arc-Fit Angular notching tool fits this press and in about 10 seconds, will notch the end of a pipe with the required contour to fit around the mating pipe. While a 45° is common, Vogel offers a 35° option that has a bonus of being appropriate for handrail applications. Tools can even be designed for different sized pipes, such as when a 1-5/8” cross brace will mate with a 2-3/8” upright.

“For those building ornamental panels, Vogel offers a suite of tooling that will allow you to build what you need instead of having your scheduling dependent on outside sources for components or finished panels,” Siegal says. “Tools offered include a picket forming tool that turns square tubing into a spear point picket in one stroke of the press.”

Companion tools include tools that will pierce channel or square tubing to make the horizontal rails for ornamental panels. Vogel even makes custom notchers when this channel needs a special cut off at the ends of the legs.

“Many of the customers who take the plunge into making their own pickets and related parts are doing so because of lead times,” says Siegal.

One under-the-radar tool is Vogel’s Econo Cut Off Die. It uses a simple blade to cut 1-1/4” or smaller square tubing to length. While a chop saw or band saw can accomplish the same task, Vogel’s tool has a range of benefits that make it a worthwhile addition to many shops. No timeconsuming fixturing or clamping of the tube is required. The tube is simply laid into the V, slide to the correct location and the foot-switch of the press activated. In seconds, the tube is cut. In addition, the tool is so quiet, unlike noisy saws, no hearing protection is required.

“And since the tool slices off a thin slug, there are no chips clinging to the part that requires secondary handling for removal. And, unlike costly band-saw blades, Vogel’s cut off blades are easy to sharpen inhouse and are currently $100 to replace,” he says.

Supply chain disruptions and backlogs due to high demand aren’t going away any time soon. For this reason, many businesses are looking for opportunities to increase their abilities to produce formerly purchased items in-house.

RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE NOW FOR

Plan now to get maximum industry exposure for your company throughout the rest of the year in the pages of Fence News and The Annual Directory of Suppliers.

Contact us for more information!

sales@fencenews.com | (337) 312-0975

CLASSIFIED AND WEBSITE ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE.

Submit your news releases and product information to: editor@fencenews.com

Because of a spike in demand, Vogel also has a backlog and many popular tools have a waiting list. To accommodate this surge in demand, Vogel is accepting orders for summer and even fall deliveries. To further help smaller business, unless ordering a custom tool, Vogel does not require a deposit or payment until the tools are complete and shipping.

In addition to manufacturing tools, Vogel has been a long-time supporter of the fencing industry. Vogel is an industry partner of the North American Fence Contractors Association, The American Fence Association, The National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association and more. Vogel is proud that for its entire history, over 80 years, their tools have always been made in the USA.

For more information, visit www.VogelTool.com.