Sheet metal brakes

[elevator joe]

Has any one built or bought a sheet metal brake for their garage? would like to have one but they're pricey. advice?

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Has any one built or bought a sheet metal brake for their garage? would like to have one but they're pricey. advice?

Working on mine right now. It's finished, operational. Just detailing it now. Check out the last couple pages n my garage build link below.

 

[muibubbles]

i got my tennsmith used off criagslist... paid about 270 for it... craigslist is your BEST friend, and estate sales... i got the brake and a stomp shear around the same time and have them in the garage. LOVE them to death.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

i got my tennsmith used off criagslist... paid about 270 for it... craigslist is your BEST friend, and estate sales... i got the brake and a stomp shear around the same time and have them in the garage. LOVE them to death.

+1 Tennsmith brake and Pexto shear

You're going to have to scour Craigslist and other sources....Ebay, going out of business sales by manufacturers, bodyshops, gov't auctions, etc. And when you find a good deal on one, be prepared to move quickly.

 

[elevator joe]

Nice job whats a guestamit costwise for material?

 

[Lump]

Joe, get a Niagara or Pexto used unit, if you can. Check to be sure that the leafs are not "sprung," by folding a full-length (full length of the brake) piece of light gage steel or aluminum to 90 degrees. Make sure you have adjusted the thickness correctly, and that the upper blade is adjusted correctly to clamp down tightly. Then, check to see if it folds less in the middle than it does on both ends. If it folds uniformly for the whole length, buy it.

Cheaply made units with little adjustment for thickness, etc, will just disappoint you.

On the other hand, if you will only use it rarely, consider taking your cut-out metal to a local shop, and get them to bend it for you. If everything is done but the bending, it won't take but a few minutes, and they won't charge much at all...or at least that is my experience.

Good luck.

 

[Dave Maxwell]

I've got a 48 inch box pan brake. Little over 2,000 if memory is correct. Bought it from mittler brothers

 

[bert.]

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/making-pan-brake-folder-fingers-home-45792/

dose not get any better than this for step by step diy

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Nice job whats a guestamit costwise for material?

Me? So far I've spent $105. I had a lot of the hardware and materials already (won't list) so just needed the major materials. Also got more than I need.

Bought 20' 3x3x1/4 = $75
Used 12'

Bought 4' 2x3/16 strap= $16
Used 4'

Bought 12' 1/2" black pipe = $14
Used 5'

Consider the use of your press brake - work or home use? It will help you determine if you should go up to a commercial unit or if a home built unit would work for you. Consider the space you have. They are wide. Do you have floor space? Consider the tools and capabilities you have. Can you build it without needing a pro to cut materials for you? Costs add up. Will you need to buy new tools or do you just need to factor in consumables/blades/bits?

I saw some used stuff on CL before I decided to build. Cheapest used brake I found was $250 and it was a HF unit. I did need a brake big enough for a 30" 16ga bend which bumped me up to looking at 36-48" units. They get pricey. Honestly I wasn't sold the cheap brands and I can't afford the industrial brands. After some thought I decided to go for it and build my own. The materials were affordable and I already have spent the money for everything else sitting on the shelf in the garage. I did take a gamble building mine in hopes it would eek out what I needed, with "I can groove my fold line" as my fall back plan. Right now according to my test bends it is working as I'll need. I'll be polishing it up and doing all the little details to the brake.

Anyway, I'm a big DIYer. I will put in the work and hassle for a lot of things. Analyze the entire thing for yourself to determine if you should build or buy. Either way you'll enjoy having a new toy

 

[TAftw]

I've often wanted to buy one, take it apart, copy the pieces or design, and sell it. I don't know how that would go over with copyright laws but it would be cheap. They seem expensive to buy but pretty easy to make.

 

[BBC71Nova]

I've often wanted to buy one, take it apart, copy the pieces or design, and sell it. I don't know how that would go over with copyright laws but it would be cheap. They seem expensive to buy but pretty easy to make.

That's only allowed if you stamp it "made in China"

 

[Tallboy]

....