Cleveland Steel Tool

What Cleveland Steel Tool does

Cleveland Steel Tool is a privately held, Cleveland, Ohio-based manufacturer founded in 1908 that produces punches, dies, shear blades, ironworker tooling, magnetic drills, annular cutters, steel saws, and CST-branded ironworker machines for the North American metalworking industry. The company's core technology is CNC-based tooling manufacturing combined with proprietary punch-and-die know-how rooted in its original 1908 patents for automotive leaf-spring punching; it operates a single ISO 9001-2008-certified plant in partnership with Local Teamsters Union and catalogs 900+ SKUs (776 in ironworker tooling alone), with over 80% of orders — including custom items — shipping within 24 hours. Engineering depth is used both for in-house product design and as a customer-facing service, including a Cross Reference Tooling System that maps competitor part numbers to CST equivalents and a Knowledge Base of Tonnage and Die Clearance calculators.

The business runs two intersecting revenue streams. The first is high-volume replacement tooling sold direct-to-consumer through clevelandsteeltool.com and phone/inside-sales (800-446-4402), with unit prices ranging from under $100 for small consumables to $1,500+ for shear blades and tool packs. The second is higher-ASP capital equipment — CST-branded ironworker machines (55 to 120 ton) and shop presses — and custom manufacturing services (CNC milling, CNC turning, custom die sets, contract fabrication from drawings) that are quote-based and typically contracted to enterprise buyers across North America. Customer segments are organized vertically and span structural steel fabricators (primary), railroad, farm equipment, truck frame, shipbuilding, grader blade, and ornamental iron shops, with the ironworker-tooling aftermarket positioned as the company's core defensible category.

Name

Cleveland Steel Tool

Legal name

Cleveland Steel Tool Company

Website

https://clevelandsteeltool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1908

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cleveland Steel Tool is a 1908-founded, Cleveland, Ohio-based manufacturer of metalworking punches, dies, shear blades, ironworker tooling, magnetic drills, annular cutters, saws, and CST-branded ironworker machines, serving structural steel, railroad, farm equipment, truck frame, shipbuilding, grader blade, and ornamental iron fabricators across North America via direct e-commerce and inside-sales channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metalworking Tooling Manufacturing

NAICS

Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515), Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (33351), Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing (333514), Machine Shops (332710)

SIC

Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Metal Forgings & Stampings (3460)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)

Keywords

• Ironworker tooling
• Punches and dies
• Shear blades
• Ironworker machines
• CNC machining services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tool Sales: One-time sales of punches, dies, shear blades, and other metalworking tooling. Products are sold directly through e-commerce website with prices ranging from under $100 for small parts to several thousand dollars for machines and large assemblies.
2. Custom Manufacturing Services: CNC machining services including CNC milling and CNC turning, custom metal work and custom metal fabrication services. Customers send sketches or drawings for custom parts, die sets, and contract manufacturing.
3. Ironworker Machine Sales: Sale of CST-branded ironworker machines ranging from 55 Ton to 120 Ton capacity. Machines are quote-based pricing rather than publicly listed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cleveland Steel Tool manufactures and sells metalworking tooling and machines, including punches, dies, shear blades, coper blades, magnetic drills, annular cutters, and saw blades, plus CST-branded ironworker machines from 55 to 120 tons. It also provides custom CNC machining and fabrication services from its Cleveland, Ohio plant.

Product overview

Cleveland Steel Tool is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial metalworking tooling and machines founded in 1908, based in Cleveland, Ohio. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of ironworker tooling (punches, dies, shear blades, coper blades, pipe notcher tooling, coupling nuts, picket tooling, and oversized attachments) compatible with hundreds of ironworker machine brands, as well as a full line of CST-branded ironworker machines ranging from 55 to 120 tons capacity. The product line also includes portable punching units (Porta-Punch and Nitto Kohki), magnetic drills (E5000AUTO, S28MAG, EVOMAG42, E5000LP) with complementary annular cutters, steel saws and saw blades, and shop presses (20-110 tons). Additionally, the company provides custom manufacturing services utilizing CNC machining for machined parts, die sets, and custom tooling. Over 80% of orders, including custom orders, ship within 24 hours from their Ohio facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CST: Brand designation used for Cleveland Steel Tool's own ironworker machines and replacement parts (e.g., CST 55 Ton, CST 65 Ton, CST brand replacement blades)

Products and services

• Ironworker Tooling Complete line of ironworker tooling including punches, dies, shear blades, and specialty tools compatible with hundreds of ironworker models from various manufacturers.
• Ironworker Punches Standard ironworker punches available in 67 styles with keyway options for round and shaped holes, compatible with various ironworker machine brands.
• Ironworker Dies Dies available in 62 styles from 1/2 inch to 8 inches in diameter, designed to work with corresponding punch sizes for metal punching applications.
• Shear Blades Stock replacement blades for ironworkers including flat bar shear blades, angle shear blades, coper notcher blades, and custom blade manufacturing from drawings or samples.
• PunchLife Lubricant Specialized lubricant designed for ironworker punching operations to extend punch life and improve hole quality.
• Tool Packs Pre-configured punch and die kits for specific ironworker brands including Edwards, Piranha, Geka, and Scotchman, available in various set sizes from 6 to 22 sets.
• Coper Blades Replacement coper notcher blades and assemblies for various ironworker brands including Buffalo, Peddinghaus, CST, Edwards, Scotchman, and Piranha.
• Picket Tooling Specialized tooling for ornamental iron picket work including picket tips and holders compatible with 219 and 228 punch styles.
• Pipe Notcher Tooling Pipe notcher housings and dies for notching pipe and tube materials in sizes from 1/2 inch to 2 inches, compatible with standard and turret pipe notcher configurations.
• Coupling Nuts Quick change adaptors and coupling nuts for various punch styles including 219 and 228, compatible with multiple ironworker brands.
• Oversized Attachment Attachments enabling oversized punching capabilities beyond standard punch capacities, available for various tonnage machines from 25 to 100 tons.
• CST 55 Ton Ironworker 4-station ironworker with 55 ton capacity at 65,000 psi tensile strength, featuring punch station, angle shear, 14 inch flat bar shear, and open station for attachments. Weighs 2,480 lbs.
• CST 65 Ton Ironworker 5-station ironworker with 65 ton capacity, featuring punch station with pedestal die table, angle shear, up to 24 inch flat bar shear, and dedicated coper notcher. Weighs 4,750 lbs.
• CST 100 Ton Ironworker High-capacity ironworker with 100 ton capacity, 11 inch throat depth, and 17 gallon hydraulic reservoir for maximum productivity. Weighs 4,650 lbs.
• CST 120 Ton Ironworker Highest capacity ironworker with 120 ton capacity, 10 HP motor, capable of punching 1-1/2 inch diameter holes through 1 inch plate. Weighs 5,500 lbs.
• Shop Presses Hydraulic shop presses available in 20, 40, 60, and 110 ton capacities for pressing, bending, and straightening operations.
• Porta-Punch Portable Punching Unit Portable punching unit capable of punching up to 13/16 inch round holes in 1/2 inch thick mild steel with maximum tensile strength of 65,000 psi, for field applications.
• Nitto Kohki Punching Units Professional portable punching units from Nitto Kohki for field metal fabrication and hole punching applications.
• Annular Cutters Annular cutters in high speed steel and carbide tipped variants available in fractional and metric sizes, designed for magnetic drill applications.
• Magnetic Drills Portable magnetic drills including E5000AUTO automatic magnetic drill, S28MAG, EVOMAG42, and E5000LP low-profile models for hole making in metal fabrications.
• Steel Saws and Saw Blades Steel saws from 7-1/4 inch to 15 inch and replacement saw blades for metal cutting applications.
• Custom Manufacturing Services CNC machining services including CNC milling and CNC turning, custom metal fabrication, die sets, and custom tooling manufacturing from customer drawings or samples.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% of orders ship within 24 hours, including custom orders
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Enerpac: Enerpac is a large established hydraulic tools and shop press manufacturer; CST carries competing shop presses and benefits from Enerpac's brand category creation, while Enerpac's hydraulic portfolio overlaps CST's press and tooling line in industrial accounts.
• JET Tools (JPW Industries): JET Tools sells metalworking bandsaws, drill presses, and grinding machines through industrial distribution; an established broad-line incumbent competing with CST's steel saws and portable drilling equipment for shop-equipment budgets.

Direct peers

• GEKA (Geka Ironworker's Group): GEKA manufactures ironworker machines and a full line of punches, dies, and coper blades; CST distributes and cross-references GEKA tooling while also competing against it for the same structural steel and ornamental iron end markets.
• Baileigh Industrial: Baileigh Industrial sells metalworking machinery (ironworkers, band saws, presses, drills) and consumable tooling through a direct e-commerce channel that mirrors CST's go-to-market, serving the same small-shop and SMB fabrication buyer.
• Marvel Manufacturing: Marvel Manufacturing produces vertical metal-cutting band saws and blades for industrial fabricators, overlapping CST's steel saws and saw blades product line within the same customer base.
• Nitto Kohki: Nitto Kohki builds portable punching units and air-powered tools; CST resells Nitto Kohki punching units alongside its own Porta-Punch, making them partial partners and direct competitors in the portable holemaking category.
• Piranha (Peddinghaus): Piranha (a Peddinghaus brand) builds ironworker machines and punches/dies used by structural steel and shipbuilding fabricators; CST offers Piranha-compatible tool packs and competes directly in the same heavy-fabrication tooling category.
• Edwards Manufacturing: Edwards Manufacturing makes ironworker machines and replacement punches, dies, shear blades, and tooling that compete head-to-head with CST's CST 55-120 Ton ironworkers and consumable line; both vendors sell universal-fit aftermarket tooling for each other's machines.
• Hougen Manufacturing: Hougen makes magnetic drills and annular cutters, the categories where CST has built its E5000/S28MAG/EVOMAG42 product family; both companies supply shops needing portable holemaking with comparable price points and channel structures.
• Scotchman Industries: Scotchman Industries builds ironworker machines (40-110 ton) along with punches, dies, and shear blades; CST sells tool packs branded for Scotchman machines and competes for the same fabrication shop purchase order.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUy58dxtgHrFmW1UU7fmHOQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/clevelandsteeltool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clevelandsteeltool
• Instagraminstagram.com/clevelandsteeltool
• Xx.com/CLEsteeltool

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cleveland Steel Tool