Above: Fab Supply Inc.’s Rolla-V lower die features two rotating inserts (rotors) within the V-shaped groove to reduce friction and marking during sheet metal bending.
December, 2025- When it comes to shaping sheet metal, a press brake provides the force but the tooling determines how that force is applied. Proper tool selection affects other variables as well.
The punch and die dictate the final form, accuracy and quality of a bent part. The wrong tooling can lead to inaccurate parts, material waste and damage to the machine. With myriad sizes and shapes available, identifying the best tool for a job can be a challenge.
It’s a task that Dan McCloskey and Mike Newman understand. McCloskey is operations director for Fab Supply Inc. His partner, Mike Newman, serves as managing director of sales. The two have more than 40 years of combined experience in press brake tooling. Helping fabricators navigate tooling choices for particular parts and applications is made easier by Fab Supply’s ability to provide nearly every style and grade of tooling available.
According to Newman, the company’s large inventory is fed by working with tool design engineers both domestically and abroad. “We continually develop innovative designs and products that allow us to provide the most appropriate, high quality, cost-effective tooling for each application,” he says.
Tall gooseneck punch.
“What really sets Fab Supply apart from other suppliers is access,” McCloskey says. “There are massive companies that provide tooling. But they can be difficult for a customer to reach. We’re small. We make service a key focus. Our customers can reach us 24/7. When a customer is down or needs a special tool for a part, they need it right now. We push to have a wide range of tools in stock so we can respond to customers in real time. It doesn’t matter if a customer just bought a multi-million-dollar press brake or a used machine from eBay, or whether they are building submarines or working on a project in their garage—we treat everyone the same. We just want to get them up and running as soon as possible.”
Like job shops that are as comfortable producing a one-off part as a high-volume run, “Fab Supply will deliver a 6-inch tool if a customer needs it.”
European gooseneck.
Tool selection begins with a conversation or a request submitted on Fab Supply’s website. Part drawings are evaluated along with other parameters. Material type and thickness dictate tonnage, die opening and bend radius. Sheet metal length is used to determine tooling length and configuration. A punch and die shape is influenced by bend angle and radius. Press brake specifications for tonnage, clamping style and precision help confirm compatibility. Tool quality, durability, accuracy and unique job requirements like complex shapes or high-tolerance shapes also affect tool choices.
“If there is a press brake under the sun, we sell tooling for it,” Newman says. Fab Supply is the original North American supplier for Rolla-V. It also carries European and American tooling as well as all fitting styles from major press brake tooling companies.
“We tackle jobs that larger companies won’t, due to the time involved,” says McCloskey. “We take on the jobs that most people would pass on. If we see a path forward to make a unique tool or part, we will delve into the process of how to do it.”
50 mm 30-degree acute die.
A budding entrepreneur from California called Fab Supply when he got the idea to fabricate accessories that would transform a Sprinter van into a camper. “He didn’t have a press brake or tooling,” McCloskey says. “We started from scratch to help him figure out what he needed. Today, he has a nice little business, and we still talk to him.”
Fab Supply also connects with young people in an effort to show them career paths in manufacturing. Fabtech holds a summit during which students can see the machines and meet the people that form the backbone of the industry.
Left horn of sectionalized set equipped with safety clicks for vertical loading.
“The last day of Fabtech is my favorite,” says Newman. “That’s usually the day we see students. I really enjoy talking with them. Most don’t have any idea what a press brake is. We’re able to explain how it works and give them concrete examples of items they recognize that have been formed out of metal. It really opens their eyes to the possibilities of a career in manufacturing.”
The company seeks to help local technical colleges, too. “We’ve embraced the maker’s trend,” Newman continues. “People today have press brakes in their garages and their barns. They want to design and produce items and post it on social media. The information is there. It inspires young people, especially, to make leaps and turn a side hustle into a business.”
McCloskey agrees. “Metalforming is grounded in fundamentals,” he says. “If you can learn those, you can hit the ground running and begin to build a good career. It’s all you need to get started.”
Fab Supply Inc., 866/322-8665, fabsupplyinc.com
