Convenient Crimping
This compact round-duct crimper requires no setup or adjustments.
I use a bench-mounted crimper to create custom round duct when I’m in the shop, but I dread having to crimp round duct on-site with a handheld crimper. For someone who uses handheld tools like shears throughout the day, the added action of crimping duct by hand can take a toll on your hands and wrists, both in the short term and especially over the years. Malco’s TurboCrimper Impact (model C5A2) is a round-duct-installation game changer.
The TurboCrimper is simple to use: Just put the tool in your impact driver (designed for drivers only, not drills), pull the trigger, and walk the tool around the perimeter of the duct. You do need to hang on tight to the material, which will try to spin and flop around. This tool is both right- and left-hand friendly, requires no setup, and doesn’t take up much room in my pouch or bag.
In addition to preventing carpal tunnel, the TurboCrimper is about five times faster than crimping by hand and delivers consistent, factory-grade results. It works on 30-ga. to 24-ga. duct and stove pipe, as well as spiral duct. The TurboCrimper is available online and at HVAC supply houses for under $150.
— Joey Blessing; HVAC contractor in Faribault, Minn. Photo courtesy of the manufacturer.
From Fine Homebuilding #323
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