Methods and apparatuses for mechanically opening and closing one or more longitudinal seams

A handheld tool for opening and closing seams of duct assemblies, comprising:

• an opening portion including a latching portion and an opening channel recessed into the latching portion, the opening channel being configured to receive and retain a protrusional tab of a first sheet metal portion having a female component of a longitudinal straight seam;
• and
• a closing portion including an interior block portion, an exterior block portion, and a closing channel formed between the interior block portion and the exterior block portion, the interior block portion being configured to contact a second sheet metal portion having a male component of the longitudinal straight seam and the closing channel being configured to extend over the protrusional tab when the interior block portion is in contact with the second sheet metal portion,
• wherein the opening portion is at a first end of the handheld tool and the closing portion is at a second end of the handheld tool, the second end being opposite to the first end, and
• wherein the opening channel extends in a first direction and the closing channel extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.