In the world of manufacturing, engineering, and workshop operations, success is usually measured in big numbers—the tonnage of a new press brake, the high capacity of a CNC bed mill, or the sheer footprint of a showroom floor. Here at Kenequip, we are incredibly proud of our 30,000-square-foot facility and the heavy industrial machinery we supply to fabricators all across Ireland.
 
But last week, a hand-written letter arrived in our post that reminded us exactly why we do what we do.
 
The letter was from a customer named Richard, addressed directly to our team member, Carmel. Richard didn’t write to us about a massive plant installation or a fleet of brand-new machines. He wrote to thank us for helping him procure a single electric motor—an item he noted was very small compared to our massive everyday stock, but one that was absolutely vital to get his lathe back up and running.
 
A Customer's Words: Recognising Extra Effort
Richard’s note beautifully captured what great service looks like when things don't quite go to plan:
 
"Dear Carmel," Richard wrote, "I wish to say sincere thanks to you for all your work in procuring the motor. When things don't turn out as expected it can often come easy to complain. When someone really does their very best to help a person their efforts should also be recognised. In my case, my machine would be a very small item when viewed against your stock but you did everything to help and it is very much appreciated. Again many thanks for all your help."
 
— Kindest Regards, Richard.
 
No Job Too Big, No Component Too Small
Richard’s words cut straight to the core of our business philosophy. In engineering and fabrication, a business can come to a grinding halt because of one failed component. It doesn't matter if your workshop is a massive manufacturing facility or a small home workshop; if a machine goes down, time and revenue are on the line.
 
When Richard approached us looking for a replacement electric motor, it required some dedicated tracking and procurement work behind the scenes to find the perfect fit as his original motor was obsolete. To some large, impersonal suppliers, hunting down a single component might have seemed like a minor distraction. But to Carmel and the rest of our team, we knew it meant getting a fellow fabricator back to work.
 
The Kenequip Standard of Service
Whether you are dealing with Liam on a technical service call, discussing delivery logistics with Charles, or working with Carmel in administration, our goal remains exactly the same: to provide the ultimate support network for engineering workshops throughout Ireland. We treat a request for a small replacement part with the exact same dedication, urgency, and respect as we do the delivery of a Durmapress CNC Press Brake.
 
In a highly competitive market, having great pricing and a massive stock of new and used machines is vital—but they are nothing without genuine, human service. Richard’s beautiful letter is now proudly displayed on our office board, serving as a daily reminder that every single customer relationship matters.
 
Thank you, Richard, for taking the time to send such a thoughtful note, and best of luck with the machine modifications!

​If you are looking to source parts for your machine, simply fill in the contact form found here with as much information as possible and we will do our best to help you.

The lads in the warehouse were busy last week - loading, transporting, installing, and commissioning machines for our customer in Louth. 

For this delivery, we supplied a New Durmapress Press Brake, a used Pearson Guillotine, a used 4000VS Milling machine, and a used Colchester Triumph 2000 Lathe.  Whilst we transported the mill and the lathe ourselves on our own DAF lorry, Fitzpatrick Logistics transported the heavier Press Brake and Guillotine to the site.

Once on-site, Charles and Liam, along with Stephen from Fitzpatrick Logisitics, coordinated the full unloading and positioning process. Using heavy-duty professional skates and handling equipment, each machine was carefully manoeuvred into its final location within the workshop. We also traded in some machines from this customer so these were removed and loaded to our lorry for transport back to our warehouse in Keenagh.

All machines were fully positioned and ready for our engineer, Liam, to commission. When he completed the commissioning of the machines, he carried out operator training on the New Durmapress Press Brake, showing the operators how to program and use the controller and machine.
​

Like in every busy workshop or fabrication room, time is something you can never get back.

Here in Kenequip, cleaning down machines that we trade in can often take over a week using a wire brush, chemicals, or a sander to clean off years of rust, old paint, and grime build up. Billy invested in a cutting-edge piece of kit for the lads in the workshop.  He bought them a state of the art laser cleaner that cuts through layers in seconds. Gone are the labour intensive days of old and now with the full PPE gear on, rust and grime is removed in minutes rather than days!

The laser light vaporises the rust instantly without changing or wearing down the precision-ground metal surfaces beneath it. This means machine slides, beds, and ways remain perfectly intact.

The machinery market in Ireland is highly competitive, and we know that workshop owners have plenty of choices. Our goal is to stand apart by continually investing in tools and processes that pass the benefits directly down to you—the customer.


By slashing our prep and refurbishing times, we ensure that when a workshop or fabricator throughout Ireland needs a reliable machine, we can provide it quickly, cleanly, and at a competitive standard.

What do you think of the laser cleaner? Have you considered adding laser cleaning technology to your own maintenance setup, or do you still prefer the classic wire brush?

If you are looking to upgrade your workshop floor with high-quality, fully prepped engineering machinery, get in touch with us today!

👉 Contact Billy directly on 086 2509747

The material used in punches and dies has a direct impact on durability, wear resistance and long-term performance. Selecting the appropriate steel depends on your workload, material types and production volume.

42CrMo Alloy Steel: 42CrMo alloy steel is commonly used for standard press brake tooling because it offers an excellent balance of strength, toughness and fatigue resistance.

Most high-quality tooling made from 42CrMo is heat treated to around 48–52 HRC, providing reliable performance for bending:

• mild steel
• stainless steel
• aluminium

This makes it the most common tooling material for general fabrication work.
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H13 Tool Steel: H13 is a premium hot-work tool steel known for its excellent resistance to thermal fatigue and wear.It is sometimes used in press brake tooling designed for:

• heavy-duty applications
• abrasive materials
• high-volume production environments

Because H13 tooling is more expensive to manufacture, it is typically reserved for specialised applications where extended wear resistance is required.
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Carbide-Tipped Tooling: Carbide-tipped punches and dies are used in specialised production environments where extreme wear resistance and long tool life are essential. They are typically found in:

• high-volume manufacturing
• precision bending applications
• automated production lines

While not common in general fabrication workshops, carbide-tipped tools can provide exceptional durability in demanding environments.

​Choosing the correct punch geometry is essential for achieving accurate bends and avoiding collisions between the workpiece and tooling.

​Standard punches are the most commonly used press brake tools and are suitable for general-purpose bending.
Typical uses include:

• 90° bends
• acute angle bends
• general sheet metal fabrication

They are commonly used with V-dies during air bending operations.

Gooseneck punches feature a curved relief profile that allows clearance for formed flanges.
They are essential for bending:

• box sections
• channels
• enclosures
• parts with return flanges

Without this relief shape, the workpiece would collide with the punch during bending.

Acute punches, typically 30°–60°, are designed for producing sharp bends and for pre-bending operations such as hemming.
​
They are often used when fabricators need to create:

• tight bend radii
• narrow angle bends
• pre-bends before hemming operations

Looking for a Press Brake in Ireland?
Kenequip Machine Tools stock both new and used press brakes suitable for small workshops and large fabrication facilities.

View our latest machines in stock
New NC Press Brakes
New CNC Press Brakes
Used Press Brakes

One of the most important rules in press brake setup is selecting the correct die opening.
​
A widely used guideline in sheet metal fabrication is: V-die opening = 6 to 10 × material thickness

Selecting the correct die size helps to:

• reduce tonnage requirements
• prevent cracking in harder materials
• produce more consistent bend angles
• extend the life of punches and dies

​Using a die opening that is too small dramatically increases the force applied to the tooling and can significantly shorten tool life and risk cracking.
​Using too large a die opening can cause poor angle accuracy.

​Modern press brake operations primarily use air bending, where the punch does not fully press the material into the die.
The bending method affects both tooling wear and required tonnage.

​Because air bending requires less force and allows a range of bend angles with the same tooling setup, it has become the preferred method for most fabrication workshops.

Investing in quality press brake tooling is a major commitment for any fabrication shop. To protect that investment and ensure your bends stay pin-sharp, a bit of regular TLC goes a long way. Here is how to keep your punches and dies in top condition and avoid the headache of unexpected downtime.

• Keep Things Clean: It sounds simple, but a quick wipe-down after every job is your first line of defence. Clearing away metal dust and debris prevents tiny particles from scratching those precision-ground surfaces, which can eventually ruin your finish.
• Fight Off Corrosion: Workshops can get humid, and bare steel is a magnet for rust. Applying a light coat of machine oil before putting tools away creates a protective barrier, keeping them pristine and ready for the next shift.
• Smart Storage: Treat your tooling like the precision instruments they are. Rather than letting punches and dies knock together—which leads to nicks and burrs—store them properly in dedicated racks or cabinets. This simple habit prevents marks from showing up on your finished workpieces.
• Monitor Your Alignment: If your bend angles are drifting, your alignment might be the culprit. Regularly checking that your punches and dies are perfectly squared up prevents uneven wear and ensures every part comes off the machine exactly as intended.
• Respect the Tonnage: Every tool has its limit. Pushing a die beyond its rated capacity can lead to micro-fractures or permanent warping. Always double-check that your machine settings and die openings are a proper match for the material thickness you are working with.

It is a point often made by industry leaders like Durmapress: achieving that perfect, repeatable bend is a balancing act. High-quality press brake tooling is undoubtedly a cornerstone of precision, but even the finest punches and dies are only as good as the machine driving them.

Even the best tooling cannot perform properly if the machine itself lacks rigidity or accurate backgauge positioning. Modern NC / CNC Press Brake systems offer significantly higher repeatability and faster setup compared with older hydraulic models.

A busy week again this week with the delivery of a New Durmapress Press Brake, Durmapress Guillotine, and a Durmapress Ironworker to our customer in Monaghan. While there, we took away their trade in machines to make room for the new machinery installation. 

This workshop is now fully kitted out with brand-new Durmapress technology:
✅ Durmapress Press Brake Fitted with E310P Controller – Precision folding for complex jobs.
✅ Durmapress Guillotine – Fitted with E21S Controller for Clean, fast, and accurate shearing.
✅ Durmapress Ironworker Heavy duty 90 ton capacity for versatile fabrication.

We don’t just drop them at the door; our team ensures full installation and setup so you can get straight to work.

Thinking of upgrading your workshop in 2026? Whether you are in Monaghan, Longford, or anywhere across Ireland, we have the stock and the technical expertise to help you.

 
🔗 View our full Durmapress Press Brakes range here / Durmapress CNC Press Brakes  / Guillotine range / Ironworkers 

​📞 Call the office in Longford: 043 33 22202 or email us for a quote sales@kenequip.com and tell us what you are looking for and Billy will advise the machine best suited to your requirements.
 
#FabricationIreland #EngineeringIreland #Durmapress #MonaghanBusiness #Metalworking #PressBrake #Guillotine #Ironworker #IrishEngineering

​We were delighted to welcome Candy and Alan from Durmapress to our premises this week. They came bearing our “Official Agent in Ireland” plaque which we proudly received.
 
Durmapress is a top leading manufacturer  in metal forming solutions, specialising in press brakes, guillotines, fibre laser cutting machines, and automation systems. It was an honour to host them and celebrate our growing partnership.
 
During their visit, our lead-engineer, Liam brought them to visit our customers where Durmapress machines were in action, it was great to see these machines running on the shop floor. Some customers were very interested in their Fibre laser cutting machines. As Durmapress explained, their fibre lasers use “the latest fibre laser cutting technology to provide high-speed accurate cutting” on materials like steel, aluminium, and copper. This means they can quickly and precisely cut a wide variety of metals. In addition, these machines are engineered for efficiency: they achieve “unmatched precision and reliability” while remaining highly energy-efficient. [www.durmapress.com]
 
We will be sending out quotations to our customers in the coming days and were delighted with the warm reception we received whilst out on site in their premises.
 
We had in-depth talks about we can best move forward as their Irish agent and look forward to sharing details of their Fibre Laser Cutting Machines on our website in the near future.
 
Our visit wrapped up with a celebratory lunch on the final afternoon. The lunch was a great chance to recap on our week, to toast the success of the visit, and to build strong bonds with Durmapress.
 
We look forward to continuing to building on our partnership with Durmapress in 2026 and beyond!

Here at Kenequip Machine Tools, we believe that professional training and certification are vital parts of providing a safe and reliable service to our customers. We regularly update our skills to ensure full compliance with industry standards and site safety regulations.

Today, Liam, one of our engineers, successfully completed his Safe Pass course renewal - keeping his certification valid for another four years.

Most people are familiar with the Safe Pass Card, but for those who aren't, Safe Pass is a mandatory safety awareness training programme for construction and site workers. It is a one-day programme that allows you to work on construction and engineering sites without being a risk to yourself or others.

All Kenequip employees, who work away from our workshop, are fully insured to work on customer sites and we can provide our Safety Statement, Insurance Certificate, and a site specific Method Statement to any company that requires them as part of their Health & Safety  document requirements.

By keeping our engineers fully qualified and safety-certified, we make sure every machine installation, service, and repair is carried out to the highest professional and safety standards - thus giving you, our customers, peace of mind.

If you need machine tool servicing or annual maintenance work carried out on your engineering machine tools, complete the service request form which can be found here and we will get in touch with you to organise same.

– Carmel, Kenequip Team
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Are you using the right bandsaw blade for the job? Over the past few weeks, I’ve fielded several calls asking just that. While many of our customers already know the exact TPI required for their work, others are looking for a little more guidance. I’ve put together this guideline to help eliminate the guesswork and ensure you select the best blade type for your specific cutting requirements.