Inside Our New Sheet Metal Shop: A Major Upgrade for Our Customers
At Controlled Air, we are always investing in the tools and technology that allow us to deliver better results for our commercial HVAC clients across Connecticut and Rhode Island. We recently outfitted our sheet metal shop with a suite of new equipment and the improvements in quality, efficiency, and craftsmanship are ones our customers will notice directly on every project.
New Chop Saw — Precision Cutting for Complex Work
Our new chop saw is a significant step up from what we had before. It handles miter cuts and bevel cuts with accuracy that older equipment simply couldn’t match, and it can cut larger material and steeper angles without compromising on the clean, tight tolerances that quality ductwork demands. In sheet metal fabrication, a precise cut at the start means better-fitting components throughout the entire system. Less rework, less waste, and faster installation on your jobsite.
New Pittsburgh Machine — One Machine, Many Capabilities
This is perhaps the biggest upgrade in the shop. Our new Pittsburgh machine is a multi-function powerhouse, capable of forming several of the most critical duct connection profiles all in one piece of equipment, including:
- Pittsburgh lock seams — the standard longitudinal seam for rectangular ductwork
- S-slip and drive connections — for joining duct sections cleanly and securely
- Pipe lock seams — for round and oval duct fabrication
- Quarter-inch bends and small Pittsburgh profiles — for detailed, tight-radius work
Most significantly, it handles heavier gauge metal up to 18-gauge, which is essential for commercial HVAC applications where durability and structural integrity are non-negotiable. Previously, this range of profiles would have required multiple separate machines. Now it’s all done in one place, which means faster turnaround, a more organized workspace, and consistent quality across every profile we run. It also eliminates the tearing and deformation of metal that older, worn equipment can cause, giving us cleaner edges and tighter seams in the finished product.
New Air Hammers — Faster, Cleaner Duct Assembly
Our new air hammers allow our fabricators to drive duct connections together quickly and securely. What used to take extra time and effort by hand is now done faster and more consistently, reducing assembly time without sacrificing the tight, sealed connections that efficient HVAC systems require. For customers, this means less labor time and quicker project completion.
New High Jacks, Vise, Extension Ladder & Adjustable Tables — A Safer, Smarter Workspace
The upgrades don’t stop at the fabrication machines. New high jacks make it easier and safer to handle large, heavy duct sections. A new heavy-duty vise gives our team a secure hold for detailed work. And new adjustable work tables mean our fabricators are working at the right height for every task — reducing fatigue, improving accuracy, and keeping the shop floor organized and hazard-free.
A well-organized, properly equipped shop isn’t just good for our team, it directly translates to better work for you.
What This Means for You
Every one of these investments comes back to the same core commitment: delivering better quality work, faster, at a higher standard of craftsmanship. Whether you’re working with us on a new construction project, a retrofit, or a design-build energy efficiency solution, your ductwork is being fabricated with equipment that matches the quality standards your building deserves.
We’re proud of what we’ve built in our shop — and we’re even prouder of what we’ll build for you.
Do you have an upcoming Sheetmetal project? Give us a call and find out how our new equipment can make your project more efficient.
