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If you install metal decking regularly then you already know that the most popular sidelap connection specified on projects is the button punch connection. You also know that the only way to accomplish a button punch connection is with a button punch tool.

A button punch tool is not a cheap purchase, which is why it’s important to have a heavy-duty button punch tool. These tools will take a beating and need to be ironworker proof. A cheap tool will break quickly which could result in a delay in your job. Furthermore, using an inferior tool on 18 gauge or 16 gauge metal decking will be a much slower process. With the hourly rate of a union ironworker close to $100, a high-quality button punch will pay for itself after a few jobs.

At Western Metal Deck our sales team has 30+ years of experience installing and selling metal decking. We sell and loan button punches to our clients on a daily basis. In fact, we have five to ten button punch tools loaned out at any given time. Our loaner tools need to be long-lasting and capable of button punching all types and gauges of metal decking.

Our goal in this article is to explain:

    Types of manual button punch tools
    Features of Deck Demon punch

If you enjoy this article then we recommend that you read this article also:

Button Punch For Metal Decking. Step By Step Installation Guide
Types Of Manual Button Punch Tools

There are a few different button punch tools on the market. However, not all button punch tools are created equal. When it comes to purchasing a button punch tool to be used on metal deck, you need to make sure that it will work.

The button punch sidelap connection is used on both roof and floor deck panels. In gauges ranging from 22 to 16 gauge. The tool you purchase needs to be able to work on all the different metal deck types and gauges.

There are currently a couple of different manual button punch tools on the market. If you do a quick google search you will come across the Deck Demon button punch tool and the Roper Whitney tool. The Deck Demon tool is meant to be used on metal decking in gauges ranging from 24 - 16 gauge. The Roper Whitney tool is not meant for use on metal deck.
Deck Demon Button Punch Tool

 
6.-Tool

The Deck Demon button punch tool will cost you $1,275. The cost is slightly higher than the Roper Whitney, but the value you get is far greater. This button punch tool is specifically designed to attach the sidelaps of metal roof deck and floor deck. It can punch steel ranging from 24 to 16 gauge. The Roper Whitney tool is designed for light gauge metal and will not be suitable for heavy gauge metal decking.
Roper Whitney Button Punch
 
5.-Roper-Whitney

If you’re looking for a more affordable option (under a thousand dollars), you’ll see a button punch tool similar to the picture above. However, this type of tool is not designed for metal deck. The tool is only meant to be used on 20 gauge and lighter steel. It is only 26” tall, making it impossible for an ironworker to perform the button punch standing up. This type of tool is typically used on a standing seam panel. It’s simply not designed for metal decking.
Deck Demon Button Punch Features

The handles and jaws of a button punch are the key to a well-designed tool. Just a quick eye test and you can see the difference in quality between the two tools. The Deck Demon is designed for a metal roof deck such as 1.5” deep B Deck or 3” deep N-24 or a floor deck such as B-Formlok, W2 Formlok, or W3 Formlok. The best way to demonstrate the quality of this tool is to watch a video that shows a steel decking job being button punched.

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