OX Tools Roofing Tools
OX roofing tools are built for slate, tile and felt work where clean cuts, solid fixing and quick repairs matter more than fancy extras.
When you're up on a roof, the last thing you need is kit that slips, flexes or makes a simple repair drag on. OX roofers tools cover the proper basics like slate rippers, slate cutters, roofing hammers and felt knives, so you can strip broken pieces, trim clean and fix back in without fighting the tool. If you're already using OX trade tools, this is the roofing kit to match.
What Are OX Roofing Tools Used For?
- Replacing cracked or slipped slates is where an OX slate ripper earns its keep, letting you cut or pull old fixings from under the course above without wrecking the surrounding roof.
- Cutting slate to size on repair jobs or fresh runs is quicker with an OX slate cutter, especially when you need repeatable edges that sit right without endless fettling.
- Fixing battens, dressing in details and general pitched roof work all call for an OX roofing hammer that gives you proper control rather than a claw hammer that is doing the wrong job.
- Trimming felt clean around edges, valleys and awkward penetrations is exactly what an OX felt knife is for, saving you from ragged cuts that leave the job looking rushed.
- Sorting out small repair kits for van stock makes sense with OX roofing kit, because these are the bits roofers actually reach for when a callout turns into more than one broken slate.
Choosing the Right OX Roofing Tools
Sorting the right one is simple: match the tool to the roofing task, because forcing one bit of kit to do three jobs usually ends in wasted time or broken slate.
1. Repair Work vs Full Roofing Runs
If you are mainly doing repair callouts, start with an OX slate ripper, an OX roofing hammer and an OX felt knife. If you are regularly cutting fresh slate for bigger runs, add an OX slate cutter straight away or you will lose time trying to trim by hand.
2. Slate Tools Need Clean Access
If your work is mostly slate, buy the proper tools for slate and leave general demolition tools in the van. A dedicated ripper gets under fixings cleanly, and a proper cutter gives neater edges that sit better once fixed.
3. Felt and Membrane Work
If you are trimming felt around eaves, abutments or roof penetrations, do not make do with a blunt site knife. A proper felt knife is easier to control and leaves cleaner edges, which matters when you are trying to keep the finish tidy and watertight.
4. Build a Van Kit That Covers the Basics
If you want a practical OX roofing kit, cover removal, cutting, fixing and trimming first. That means ripper, cutter, hammer and knife before you start adding anything else.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Roofers are the obvious users, especially for slate repairs, strip and re-lay work, and felt trimming where the wrong hand tool can turn a ten minute fix into a proper nuisance.
- Builders and maintenance teams keep ox roofing tools handy for patch jobs, garage roofs and snagging work where carrying full roofing plant would be overkill.
- Heritage and refurbishment trades swear by slate rippers and cutters because they let you remove and shape individual pieces without disturbing half the roof around them.
- General trades doing external works often pair these with OX chalk lines and plumb bobs when they need straight set-out on battens and courses before fixing starts.
Extra OX Kit That Helps on Roofing Jobs
A few supporting bits make roofing work quicker, neater and less of a faff when you are measuring, marking and trimming on the go.
1. OX Tape Measures
Keep OX tape measures in the bag for checking gauge, batten spacing and replacement pieces. It saves you guessing sizes, cutting twice and coming down off the roof with the wrong slate in your hand.
2. OX Snips and Shears
A set of OX snips and shears is worth having when lead, flashing or thin sheet needs trimming cleanly. Much better than chewing edges up with the wrong cutter and trying to dress the mess afterwards.
3. OX Hand Saws
Keep OX hand saws nearby for battens, small timber trims and quick cuts where dragging up bigger kit makes no sense. Handy when a minor adjustment turns up halfway through a repair.
Choose the Right OX Roofing Tools for the Job
If you know the roofing job in front of you, picking the right tool is straightforward.
| Your Job | Category or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Removing one broken slate without disturbing the roof around it | OX Slate Ripper | Long reach under courses, pulls or cuts fixings, better control in tight repair spots |
| Cutting replacement slate to fit on site | OX Slate Cutter | Clean trimming, repeatable sizing, neater edges for visible repair work |
| General pitched roofing and fixing work | OX Roofing Hammer | Balanced striking, better fixing control, suited to regular roof work rather than general site use |
| Trimming felt around eaves, valleys and penetrations | OX Felt Knife | Cleaner cuts, easier control, less tearing and snagging on membrane |
| Stocking the van for mixed repair callouts | OX Roofing Kit | Covers removal, fixing and trimming so you are not caught short on small but awkward jobs |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying a general hammer instead of a proper roofing hammer usually means poorer control and more chance of damaging surrounding slate or tile. Match the hammer to the job if roofing is regular work for you.
- Trying to pull broken slate out without a slate ripper often turns a simple repair into a bigger patch. Use the right ripper to reach fixings cleanly from underneath.
- Using a blunt knife on felt leaves ragged cuts and slows everything down. Keep a proper felt knife sharp and ready if you are working membranes and edges all day.
- Choosing a slate cutter too late in the job wastes time on repeated trimming and poor fit. If you are cutting more than the odd one-off piece, get the proper cutter from the start.
- Treating roofing hand tools like general site beaters shortens their life. Clean them off, dry them down and do not leave edges knocking about loose in the van.
Slate Rippers vs Slate Cutters vs Roofing Hammers
OX Slate Ripper
Best for repair work where you need to remove a damaged slate and deal with hidden fixings under the course above. It is not a cutting tool, but for careful strip-out work it is the bit you need first.
OX Slate Cutter
Best when you are shaping replacement slates or cutting fresh pieces for a run. It gives a cleaner, more consistent finish than trying to improvise with general hand tools.
OX Roofing Hammer
Best for fixing and general roofing work where balance and control matter. It will not replace a ripper or cutter, but it is the everyday hand tool most roofers keep closest.
OX Felt Knife
Best for membrane and felt trimming, especially around awkward edges and details. It is the right choice when you need clean cuts and less drag through roofing felt.
Maintenance and Care
Clean Off Grit and Bitumen
Roofing work leaves dust, grit and sticky residue on tools, especially knives and cutters. Wipe them down after use so edges stay usable and moving parts do not gum up.
Dry Tools Before Van Storage
Do not throw wet tools straight into the box after a rainy day. Drying them first helps stop rust, keeps handles in better nick and prevents a whole kit bag full of damp gear.
Keep Cutting Edges Serviceable
A felt knife or slate cutter only works properly when the edge is sound. If the blade is worn or damaged, sort it before the next job rather than forcing rough cuts all day.
Check for Bends and Damage
Slate rippers and similar tools need to stay straight enough to reach where they should. If a tool is bent, cracked or loose, replace it before it causes damage on a live repair.
Store Sharp Tools Properly
Keep knives and cutters protected in a pouch, wrap or dedicated section of the bag. It stops edge damage and saves you grabbing hold of the wrong end when you are in a rush.
Why Shop for OX Roofing Tools at ITS?
Whether you need an OX slate ripper for repair work, an OX slate cutter for fresh trimming, or a full OX roofing kit for the van, we stock the proper range in one place. That means the OX roofers tools you actually use on site are in our own warehouse, in stock, and ready for next day delivery.
OX Roofing Tools FAQs
What tools do roofers need?
For hand tool basics, most roofers want a proper roofing hammer, slate ripper, slate cutter and felt knife covered first. That gives you what you need for fixing, removing broken slates, trimming replacements and cutting felt cleanly without bodging it with general site tools.
What is a slate ripper used for?
A slate ripper is used to remove damaged slates by reaching underneath and dealing with the nails or fixings holding them in place. It is the proper tool for repair work because it helps you get one piece out without wrecking the surrounding roof.
Are OX roofing tools any good?
Yes, OX roofing tools are a solid choice for regular trade use. They are built around the jobs roofers actually do, not just general hand tool shapes rebadged for roofing, so things like grip, control and job fit make more sense on site.
What hammer is best for roofing?
A proper roofing hammer is the best choice if you are doing roofing work regularly. It gives you better balance and control for fixing and detail work than a standard site hammer, which is fine for general tasks but not ideal when working on slates and roof details.
What is a slate cutter?
A slate cutter is used to trim slate down to the size you need for repairs, edges and awkward roof sections. It gives a cleaner and more repeatable cut than trying to snap or shape slate with the wrong hand tool.
Is an OX felt knife worth carrying if I already have a site knife?
Yes, if you cut felt or membrane often enough. A felt knife is easier to guide through roofing material and gives a cleaner finish, especially around edges and penetrations where a rough cut can leave the job looking untidy.
