Z-Studios

• Independently owned and operated by fabricator and sculptor Zach Zaus.
• In continuous production in Brooklyn for around two decades.
• Built around personal attention, exacting standards, and hands-on oversight of every project.

What we focus on

• High-precision, high-finish metal fabrication rather than high-volume structural steel.
• Typical materials: stainless steel, brass, aluminum, and other architectural metals.
• Work that benefits from an artist's eye for form, finish, and creative problem-solving.

Who we work with

• Architects and architecture firms.
• Interior designers and design studios.
• General contractors and builders.
• Artists, galleries, museums, and creative studios.
• Entrepreneurs and prototypers developing custom products.

Not a structural steel shop

• Z-Studios focuses on precision and finish quality, not commodity structural steel.
• Projects are usually custom, high-detail, and design-driven.

Environmental approach

• Committed to non-toxic processes throughout the shop.
• Able to support projects with LEED and other green building requirements.

Selected client types and sectors

Z-Studios has completed work for a wide range of well-known brands, including:

• Luxury retail, fashion, and hospitality brands.
• Major corporations, airlines, financial institutions, and technology companies.
• Prominent museums, galleries, and cultural institutions.
• Film, TV, and entertainment productions.

(For specific client names or reference projects, please contact the shop directly.)

• CNC lathe and milling are available in-house in Brooklyn, including a full 5-axis CNC mill.
• Suitable for one-off custom parts and short production runs.
• Focus on tight tolerances and complex part geometry.

Equipment and approximate capacities

CNC lathe

• Approximate capacity around 6" diameter by 20" length.
• Used for cylindrical and rotational parts such as spindles, pins, custom hardware, bushings, and similar components.

CNC mills

• Bridgeport-style CNC mill for 2.5D work (CNC-controlled X and Y, manual Z).
• Additional CNC vertical machining center and full 5-axis mill.
• Approximate 5-axis work envelope around 12" × 16".
• Well suited to complex 3D geometry, multi-face machining, and contoured surfaces.

(Exact capacity for a specific part depends on its geometry and setup; contact the shop with drawings to confirm.)

Typical materials

Commonly machined materials include:

• Aluminum.
• Stainless steel.
• Mild steel.
• Brass and copper.
• Plastics and composites.

Other materials may be possible on request.

Example applications

CNC machining and turning are used for:

• Custom brackets, fixtures, and hardware.
• Architectural and decorative components that require precise drilling or milling.
• Mechanical assemblies and industrial parts.
• Prototypes and specialty one-off pieces.

Part of a full-service shop

• Machined components can move directly into waterjet cutting, press brake forming, rolling, or finishing within the same Brooklyn shop.
• This reduces handling, shortens timelines, and helps maintain consistent quality across all stages.

Checking feasibility and getting numbers

• CNC capacity depends on the exact operation and geometry of the part.
• The fastest way to confirm feasibility is to send drawings or models to the shop for review.
• Once details are provided, Z-Studios can respond with feasibility guidance and a formal quote.

Z-Studios is a full-service precision metal fabrication shop in Brooklyn, NY. Many stages of a metal project can be handled under one roof.

Core capabilities

Waterjet cutting

• Any material, any shape, up to approximately 5 inches thick (greater thickness sometimes possible with special setups).
• Long-running experience on a Mitsubishi waterjet, handling thousands of jobs across many materials and tolerances.
• Suited to intricate shapes, custom parts, and architectural components.

Press brake forming

• Custom-built press brake, larger and more capable than typical industry machines.
• Approximately 220 tons of pressing force with over 13 feet of bending length.
• Extended vertical opening and generous space between housings for deeper bends and taller tooling.
• Used for bending and forming sheet and plate into precise, repeatable geometries.

Sheet and plate rolling

• Powered rolling with digital readouts for accurate, repeatable arcs and cylinders.
• Handles sheet and plate up to around 1/8" thickness and 48–51" width (depending on setup and material).

General precision fabrication

• Projects typically span from initial cutting through forming, machining, and finishing.
• Emphasis on tight tolerances, clean fit-up, and high-finish work in stainless, brass, and aluminum.

Finishing coordination ("Beyond the Cut")

Where many fabricators stop at raw parts, Z-Studios can coordinate finishing as part of a complete project scope. Common finishes include:

• Powder coating.
• Blackened steel and patina finishes.
• Electroplating.
• Anodizing.
• Mechanical polishing.

Finishing work is coordinated through trusted partners and delivered as part of the overall project.

Value engineering and problem-solving

• Z-Studios frequently works with clients to find practical, buildable solutions to challenging custom forms.
• Can suggest design adjustments that reduce unnecessary cost and help avoid mid-project surprises.

Fabrication consultation

• Consultation is available before drawings and budgets are finalized.
• Intended to answer questions about what is buildable, how to approach a design, and what fabrication methods make sense.
• Consultations are billable professional services and are typically arranged after an initial conversation about the project.

Typical project types

Projects often include:

• Custom architectural metalwork and built-ins.
• Storefront and interior retail elements.
• Hospitality, bar, and restaurant features.
• Sculptural and artistic installations.
• Precision components and specialty hardware.

If you have a project in mind and are unsure whether it fits these capabilities, the shop can review drawings or concepts and advise on feasibility.

• General inquiries and project questions can be sent via the contact form on the website.
• Fabrication drawings and plans can be emailed to the shop at: [email protected]
• The owner, Zach, is available to speak directly about potential projects before anything is finalized.

Phone

• Main shop phone: 347-512-4210

Address

• Z-Studios

134 Hinsdale St Brooklyn, NY 11207 United States

A Google Maps link and directions are available from the contact page of the website.

Shop hours

• Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Tuesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Wednesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

Hours are for the fabrication shop. For time-sensitive or after-hours needs, contact the shop in advance to discuss options.

Waterjet quotes

• Dedicated waterjet RFQ form available via the "Waterjet Quote" link on the contact page.
• The form collects material, thickness, quantity, and file format so the shop can provide an accurate quote.

Fabrication consultations

• If you are not sure whether a project is buildable, you can request a fabrication consultation.
• Consultations are arranged via the general contact form or by phone and are typically scheduled as a billable professional conversation before drawings and budgets are finalized.

• Mitsubishi DX-510 with GRS.
• Approximate cutting envelope: 72" × 132" × 5" thick (thicker possible with special setup, depending on material and geometry).
• KMT 60K intensifier pump.
• ITC taper control system for improved edge quality and accuracy.

Press brake forming

• Bystronic Xpert 200/4100 press brake.
• Bending length around 13.5 feet.
• Pressing force around 220 tons.
• Approximately 24" vertical opening.
• Around 12 feet between housings.
• Independent 3-axis back gauge arms with up to roughly 40" of Z-axis travel.

Shearing

• Cincinnati Model 1810 shear.
• Capacity around 1/4" mild steel at 10 feet.
• Back gauge to approximately 26" with tight tolerance over full length.

Sheet metal rolling

• GMC PBR-0412E powered roll.
• Capacity around 51" wide × 1/8" thick on mild steel.
• Digital readout on radius adjustment for repeatable arcs.

Profile rolling

• Eagle Z-302 profile roller.
• Handles a range of square, round, and rectangular solids and tubes in mild steel and aluminum (sizes vary by material and section).

CNC machining and turning

• CNC lathe (e.g., Prototrak 1630), approximately 16" swing × 30" length, with tool changer.
• CNC mills including a 3-axis vertical machining center and a 2-axis knee mill, covering a range of part sizes and operations.

Surface finishing equipment

• Wet drum sander for flat surface finishing (up to around 52" width).
• Sandblasting cabinet for controlled abrasive blasting of small to medium components.
• Vibratory tumbler with ceramic media for deburring and edge conditioning.

General fabrication and handling

• MIG and TIG welding on a range of alloys.
• Saw cutting, manual machining, and general metalworking support equipment.
• Overhead gantry crane (approximately 5-ton capacity), forklifts, and a scissor lift for handling and positioning materials and assemblies.

These specifications are intended to help engineers, architects, and fabricators evaluate whether a project fits within Z-Studios' in-house capacity. For edge cases or unusual requirements, contact the shop with details to confirm feasibility.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.