Best brake/shear/roller - combo or buy individually

[matttys]

I'm in the process of building a street tracker [link to pictures] in my garage and I'm finally to the breaking point of needing some real fabricating tools. I have a Thermal Arc 185 TIG, a 14" cold chop saw and a bunch of hand tools, but I have yet to get a real shear, brake or roller. Lucky for me I have a buddy with a full fab shop. . . although it's not fun to pack everything up and move work to his shop just to make a simple part. My garage is small and I don't have tons of room, what's a guy to do?

So the question is do I buy a combo shear/brake/roller or do I buy each individually?

I've got the 25% HF coupon and THIS is in the super price at $675, but I'll probably have to fix it before I use it and it may work well.

What about something like THIS? It looks to be of higher quality, but of similar HF design. $2,000.

I'm most interested in the brake and shear. . . so do I just buy those separately?

Are there any units that good [possibly domestic], but won't break the bank? I'd be in the range of a 30-50" unit. Thanks for the help!

 

[PCO6]

First, that is one neat looking bike!

I'm curious about this too. I have been tempted to buy a 3 in 1 machine but I've always been told that you can get a better brake, a better slip roller and a better shear. I agree on 2 of those. I have a better brake and a better roller but I have yet to find a decent shear for hobbiest use. I have even thought of buying one of these and canabalizing it just for the shear.

I like the space saving aspect of the 3 in 1 machines but I have read comments by people who generally say they not happy with them.

 

[matttys]

I've got the bike in pieces now and I'm doing the finishing welding. Just wait for the old school color scheme like on this Porsche:

 

[burlybrute]

I was wondering the same thing about the Harbor Freight unit. Does anyone have the 40" unit? I know "old american tools" would be better but not everyone has the space for that kind of tooling. Not trying to jack your thread here but would like to see some factual responses. Didn't Harbor Freight use to have a 52" 3 in 1 before, don't find it on the website any where?

 

[Ign]

I'm most interested in the brake and shear. . . so do I just buy those separately?

Are there any units that good [possibly domestic], but won't break the bank? I'd be in the range of a 30-50" unit. Thanks for the help!

What sheetmetal gauge will you most be working with? Or what's the maximum you wish to do and will be irritated/inconvenienced if the machine can't pull it off?

 

[matttys]

Not trying to jack your thread here but would like to see some factual responses. Didn't Harbor Freight use to have a 52" 3 in 1 before, don't find it on the website any where?

Agreed. I've checked out the 3-in-1 a couple times at HF and it just looked sooooo crappy!

Even the Jet 3-in-1 looks like it comes from the same overseas manufacturer. The larger Jet 40" looks to possibly be of better quality?

Or can someone recommend a shear and brake (not all-in-1) that are worth the money?

 

[matttys]

What sheetmetal gauge will you most be working with? Or what's the maximum you wish to do and will be irritated/inconvenienced if the machine can't pull it off?

It would be less for sheet metal and more for 16 ga steel and aluminum. Possibly thicker materials, but they would be in short (coulpe inch) lengths.

 

[Ign]

Wow! In that case I wouldn't consider anything less than the Baleigh or 3 separate machines. 16ga is way up there in the world of no-name imports, esp 3-in-1's

I've found some interesting stuff by searching my CL tool section for just "roll" or "slip."

 

[Outlawmws]

For bending 16 ga and thicker you are probably looking at using a press and a set of brake dies for it. The trick there is getting sufficient width. I don't think anyone makes a 3 in 1 that goes even close to 16 ga. Even shearing you are looking at a power shear for any significant width. (the wider the sheared cut the stronger the shear has to be..)

Any number of people have made there own simple brakes, and you could build one beefed up, but it had better have hydraulic assist or be anchored well and have a long handle for over 16 ga.

 

[matttys]

Wow! In that case I wouldn't consider anything less than the Baleigh or 3 separate machines.

That's what I'm thinking as using a 'real' brake and shear is so easy. . . the 3-in-1 looks like it would be a compromise for everything. Space is the real issue with a small 2 car garage and bunch of motorcycles and storage equipment in there [I park both cars in the driveway]/

 

[Jim Stabe]

I bought a HF 3 in 1 unit several years ago and it struggled on 20 ga at anything over 50% of the available span. One of the side castings broke but HF replaced it on warranty. I sold it right after that. All the ones that look the same ARE the same regardless of what color they are painted. HF has a nice brake that can handle 16 ga but probably not full width, it was a lot less expensive when I bought it http://www.harborfreight.com/40-inch-bending-brake-46508.html

If you want to bend short pieces of heavy material you could make something like this easily



You could also make something like these for use in a press

 

[matttys]

You could also make something like these for use in a press

That's what I'm thinking. There are lots of plans online to make brakes (non-press operated) that look easy enough. Problem is at some point it is more cost effective to buy one than it does to fab something up that takes 15 hours to make.

This is domestic . . . and $100.

And this is domestic.

 

[rsanter]

a friend has one and uses it with good results
he is only doing aluminum that is not very thick
the aluminum is not 'hard' material

he said the roll works pretty well
the brake fingers were too sharp and were damaging the material so they had to be resharpened with a slightly rounded edge
and the shear is only good on this stuff and had to be tweaked/adjusted to work well

in general I have noticed that the chineese stuff is only good enough for the guage below what it is rated at the most if you are doing full width.
half width you may get good results with the rated guage

those combo machines are only rated for this stuff that is generally too thin for many automotive applications. read the ratings and see what will work for you

bob

 

[matttys]

This looks to be automotive and is constructed in a similar fashion to the DIY brakes - and they are the manufacturer. I think for smaller sections it should work. I'm in Ohio and they aren't too far away. Looks like you could mount this thing to the work bench to save some space.

 

[PCO6]

I have both of the brakes shown below from Princess Auto. They are often on sale for about $50 - $100 less than what they list at. Both do pretty much what they say they will do and have been fine for my fabrication and auto projects.

Even though the description limits the "blue" box and pan brake to 20 - 24 guage I have been able to bend 18 guage with no problem. I know it comes in 12" and 36" models as well (but not at PA). Regarding the "red" one, if you go on line you can find all kinds of suggestions on how to beef it up. For my hobbiest needs these have been fine.

Blue ...
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8279713/Metal-Benders/24"-Pan-and-Box-Brake

Red ...
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8043690/Metal-Benders/36-in.-Metal-Brake-with-Stand

 

[Ign]

This brake from Enco is fairly well regarded, and it will do 16ga at full 48" width
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=130-5061&PMPXNO=9179518&PARTPG=INLMK3

Once in awhile they'll do free shipping; otherwise the freight can hurt.

They claim sale of $550 right now, but keep in mind you're getting a finger brake, which, IMO, is so much more versatile for a home garage.

Just like the other imports if it looks the same, it is. MSC sells the same brake for ~$100 more. Based upon the photo I'd almost bet my life this Grizzly unit is identical at $700
http://www.grizzly.com/products/48-Pan-Box-Brake-16-Gauge/G5769

at least Grizzly's freight is reasonable at $100

But if you know you don't want a finger brake I don't mean to hijack....

 

[matttys]

I know this one is HF, but with my 25% off Easter coupon it may be worth it. . . $170.

 

[PCO6]

I know this one is HF, but with my 25% off Easter coupon it may be worth it. . . $170.

It is.

 

[BD1]

I know this one is HF, but with my 25% off Easter coupon it may be worth it. . . $170.

I have it. Bought it from a guy that used it 6 times for $75.00. Just made some fenders for trailer. It is ONLY A BRAKE. NOT FINGER TYPE. Made solid and cam type lock features work well. I mounted it to work bench. The furnished stand was too short for me. I figured that there can't be too much that could go wrong on the single brake. I too was gonna get it this weekend with coupon. I feel I would have more money invested in time and material than the coupon cost. I looked at USA older ones but were all $400 or more. This cheapy works fine.

 

[Flathead Red]

I have to agree with the HF brake. For hobby use and the price, it's awesome.
Red

 

[BD1]

Well did you buy the HF one today ????

 

[PCO6]

.. I mounted it to work bench. The furnished stand was too short for me.

I put casters on mine and raised it by 6.75". It made it quite easy to pull it away from the wall when I use it. I'm 5'9". If you're about 6'4" that might work for you.

 

[matttys]

Well did you buy the HF one today ????

Ha - if it were only that easy! I called my local HF on Saturday and they said I could phone in my credit card and coupon as I would be out of town on Easter visiting the family. Sunday comes and they won't do CC transactions over the phone. Call the 3 HF's around my family and brakes are out of stock.

So I missed out on saving $50, but the brake is still on sale locally for $219. At that price I think I'm willing to take a risk.

 

[BD1]

Sorry, do you have a 20% off coupon ?? only loss is $11.00 ? Get rain check. If you don't have any coupon PM me and I'll send some !