10/14/2026
Hoosier Profiles Metal Shaping Tools is a legendary name in the metal shaping community, operated by master machinist Joe Andrews out of Decatur, Indiana.
If you want to build a truly top-tier machine tailored exactly to your needs, buying a component kit from Hoosier Profiles and welding your own custom heavy-duty frame is arguably the absolute best path you can take. Rather than shipping an incredibly heavy, massive piece of cast iron or steel frame across the country, they sell the precision-machined "guts" of the machine.
What Makes Hoosier Profiles Stand Out?
• Elite Tool Steel & Heat Treating: Joe has been machining anvils for nearly 30 years. Every single upper wheel and lower anvil kit he sells is machined from solid tool steel, fully heat-treated/hardened, and polished out to eliminate any tool lines that could scratch your panels.
• Zero-Backlash Adjusters: Their upper adjusters and quick-release yokes are highly engineered masterpieces. They feature precision jib screws to eliminate any slop or play, meaning your tracking stays perfectly locked under high pressure.
• True Full-Radius Lower Anvils: They are famous for their flawless runout precision. If an anvil has cheap tracking or runout issues, the metal panel will "skip" as you roll it; Hoosier Profiles parts are down to a strict science to ensure smooth, continuous pressure.
The Component Kits
Joe routinely builds and stocks complete wheeling kits directly via his Hoosier Profiles page. Their standard configuration includes:
• Upper Wheels: Choices of a 3x8-inch, 3x9-inch, or a massive 4x9-inch upper wheel.
• Lower Anvils: A complete 6-piece hardened anvil set (available in full radius formats).
• Hardware: Large adjuster assemblies with weld-on mounts, a quick-release upper yoke, and lower adjustable cradles featuring alignment screws to fine-tune your tracking.
• Price Range: Complete premium kits generally run between $1,899 and $1,999, making them an incredible value compared to buying a pre-assembled $5,000+ elite floor model.
If you have the capability to cut and weld a stiff, boxed frame or a heavy C-clamp style structure out of thick tubing, pairing it with a Hoosier Profiles Kit will net you a professional coachbuilding-quality tool that will easily outlive you.
Are you leaning toward building your own frame around a high-quality hardware kit like Hoosier Profiles, or would you prefer a turnkey, ready-to-roll machine out of the box?
