Innovative Sheet Metal Fasteners

Flow Drill Screws, Flow Form Screws

FDS® screws from EJOT and FFS® screws from Arnold have been around for a while.  They offer the benefits of a secure and strong joint from one side between two sheet metals.  A big advantage is that they can join dissimilar materials like aluminium, steel and plastics where spot welding is not possible (they are finding more and more applications in the automotive industry where aluminium and other materials need to be joined).  They also allow the use of thinner sheets without the use of additional hardware to strengthen the joints (this is making them more popular in the whitegoods industries).

The screws form a hole by high pressure and the speed of the screw, the heated material is then threaded and cools around the screw.  The joint is strong, and the unscrewing torque is high.  The thread formed is upto 3 times thicker than the sheet metal.

1. Heating the metal with high end load and high speed screwdriver
2. Penetrating the material
3. Forming of the hole
4. Forming of the screw thread
5. Engagement of the threads
6. Final tightening into the cool thread

Advantages for joining sheet metal:

• No swarf or chips
• Stronger joint, higher screw torque possible
• Higher torque means a larger torque window and less chance of stripping
• Screws can be replaced with standard metric screws
• No additional hardware required to strengthen the joint
• High unscrewing torque and vibration resistance
• Possibility of joining thinner materials
• Possibility to join Aluminium
• Can be accessed from one side
• Possibility to join sheets without pre-drilling (in automated applications)

It seems more and more big brand manufacturers are getting their tools made in China or India with substandard materials and design but still charging premium prices.

We recently decided to offer the PB Swiss Tools range of hand tools. They offer a no compromise, top-of-the line range of hand tools, 100% made in Switzerland. They use the highest quality steels, they feel fantastic in your hand, look great (professional) and they last a lifetime.  We have uploaded a selection of their various screw assembly related hand tools, but the full range also includes striking tools (mallets, punches, chisels etc) as well as special tools like picks, scribes, awls, hose pluckers and titanium tools.

Screwdrivers:

High quality PB Swiss Tools screwdrivers with ergonomic Swissgrip handles.

PB Swiss Tools screwdrivers feature the distinctive Swissgrip handles as well as precise, high quality steel drives.

The Swissgrip handle is made of two components.  It feels good in your hand, is slip free, resistant to oils and provides grip even if you have wet hands.

Allen Keys:  Available in sets or individually.

High quality, Swiss made, colour coded Allen Keys

For every Allen key, the tolerances are guaranteed to be less than a hair width. This perfect dimensional accuracy and the hard and tough special alloying make for precise, durable tools.

Available finishes include:

• High quality chrome plating
• Rainbow finish – colour coded wrenches let you find the right key faster
• Gold plated – for corrosive environments or for that extra touch of class?
• Titanium – totally non magnetic for mining & oil & gas applications

T Handle Wrenches:

Ergonomic cross handle wrenches

Okay so we are biased, but these have to be the best T handle wrenches on the market!  They are tough, the handles are ergonomic – soft non slip grip and they look the goods.

Ratchet Drivers:

Precise, durable and smooth ratchet drive screwdriver

The ideal tool for fast tightening & loosening of screws featuring the famous Swiss Grip handles.  Unlike most other ratchet screwdrivers, these are made to be used every day as you favorite tool, and to outlast your car!