Starting a metal fabrication business involves purchasing essential equipment, but finding affordable equipment can be challenging in the open market. Ironworkers need machines that can perform tasks like:
Most ironworkers need equipment that includes a punch press, a machine that punches holes in metal sheets. These presses can be manual or hydraulic, with hydraulic options being more expensive.
A shearing machine cuts sheet metal, metal plates, aluminum, or other metals and alloys into specific sizes and shapes. There are different types of shearing machines, such as:
- shearing
- punching
- notching
- bending
Punch Press

Manual Punch Press
costs as low as $5,000, while a hydraulic one ranges from $10,000 to $30,000. An ironworker machine is a versatile tool that can perform multiple tasks, such as punching, shearing, notching, and bending. They come in various sizes and capacities, with prices ranging from $10,000 to $30,000.A hydraulic punch press
This type of machine uses hydraulic pressure to punch holes in metal sheets. It is typically more powerful and efficient than a manual punch press but also more expensive, with prices ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on the size and features of the machine.Shearing Machine

- manual: which requires physical force to operate
- mechanical: uses a motor or flywheel to power the blade
- pneumatic: uses compressed air to operate the blade
- hydraulic: uses hydraulic power to operate the blade.