Price founded his Sheet Metal Ductwork Fabrication School in Burkeville, Virginia, in 2010 after retiring from his state job. Since then, he’s become a mentor to hundreds of aspiring tin knockers. 

Saving labor was a priority in the 1970s as much it is today. One of the biggest developments in the ‘70s (and ‘80s) came from transitioning away from fabricating rectangular sheet metal duct “straights” using galvanized sheet stock, instead using 12,000 pound, 48” and 60” coils. 

SNIPS Sheet Metal Industry Icon for 2021 is David Daw, an inventor who’s been innovating in the HVAC fabrication industry for over 50 years. 

On this design build renovation project at Placid Refinery House #5, Star Service, Inc. handled all engineering, fabrication and installation work in-house. This included switching the refinery’s antiquated HVAC system for a (pictured) motor control center.

Throughout the 1950s and ’60s, Midwest Tool continued to grow due to the quality of the tools.

You buy your field workers the best tools, software and devices to keep them on track and productive. Yet too few business owners and project managers give the same attention to the connection technology that accounts for much of the labor at job sites. 

Why this list of five exposed duct installations have been some of our favorite stories to tell. 

Together, Josh and Linsey Buckley share a decade of marriage, two sons, and now, new job prospects as apprentices at the Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC Local 66. 

Managing design, fabrication, installation and expectations are all important factors in successful exposed ductwork installations. But many contractors overlook one simple task. 

Steel prices in 2018 are up 60 percent from the market cycle’s low point set late last year, and they are likely to move even higher due to events on the trade front.