petawawarace
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2010
- Messages
- 50
Anyone ever done this? I've got the opportunity to get a solid brake and have an idea how to convert it over, but wondering if anyone here has seen this done before?
Convert a straight brake into a box and pan
- Thread starter petawawarace
- Start date
tgb
Well-known member
I suppose it could be done but why don't you just buy a box and pan break instead of investing a couple of hundred hours in to this.
gilwest
Active member
I'm interested in seeing if it can be done without a ton of trouble since I have a straight brake and sure wish it was a box one.
Techie1961
Well-known member
It is going to be a lot of work. I haven't done it as mine is a box and pan but looking at it, I can't imagine ripping a standard brake apart to convert it. The upper is completely different.
Might not be that difficult. Take a look here, the good stuff starts on pg #8.
http://rick.sparber.org/smfb.pdf
http://rick.sparber.org/smfb.pdf
yes, a waste of time and money
WTF!? He didnt even mention a cost for the brake? What if the brake is free and is the style that would be easy to convert? His time is his time? Damn! Did you even read the post?!
Some brakes could be converted with nothing but a bandsaw!
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SM Racing
Well-known member
The most expensive ____________ was free.
randydupree
Well-known member
a standard break can be used for making shallow sided box bends.
all you need is some imagination..
all you need is some imagination..
volleyball
Well-known member
Or sell the brake for a profit and use that money towards getting the right tool.
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POS Racing
Well-known member
Depending on the Brake you could always get it box forming tooling.
motobilt
Well-known member
Personally for the time and coin involved I would simply buy one. My time has value. I would rather be building parts that make money.
Dan
Dan
Techie1961
Well-known member
Depending on the Brake you could always get it box forming tooling.
I think that the OP has a bending brake and not a press brake.
bimmer1980
Well-known member
Frankly, I think you are better off buying one ready to go...
For what it is worth, I bought a Roper Whitney combination box and brake last summer for about $1300. This is a 412 model which means it is good for 12 gauge at 4'. This is a stout brake.
It has the neat feature in that it can be a finger brake or a straight brake. The fingers clamp to the straight part of the brake. FYI--you do not want to cut into the straight part of a brake as you will greatly weaken it.
In order for this to work, the "base table" and folding apron all lower down. Then the top apron is moved back by large acme screws. Then the fingers can be attached to the top apron part....
check out the pictures.... I don't have a good picture that shows how the fingers attach, but hopefully you get the gist of it...
For what it is worth, I bought a Roper Whitney combination box and brake last summer for about $1300. This is a 412 model which means it is good for 12 gauge at 4'. This is a stout brake.
It has the neat feature in that it can be a finger brake or a straight brake. The fingers clamp to the straight part of the brake. FYI--you do not want to cut into the straight part of a brake as you will greatly weaken it.
In order for this to work, the "base table" and folding apron all lower down. Then the top apron is moved back by large acme screws. Then the fingers can be attached to the top apron part....
check out the pictures.... I don't have a good picture that shows how the fingers attach, but hopefully you get the gist of it...
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danski0224
Well-known member
Haven't done it, but am very familiar with straight and box/pan apron brakes.
"Conversion", with the exception of the likely exceedingly rare PEXTO mentioned above in this thread, will not be practical.
Best course of action is to obtain a box and pan brake.
If you can get the straight brake for free/cheap, use the sale proceeds towards the correct tool.
Check local used prices first.
Richard D
Well-known member
Magnetic brake would be even better.
exactly.....never seen one like Brad's either
DiAcro press brake, box and pan, Chicago '4 leaf brake
Niagara '4 gap shear
danski0224
Well-known member
I'd venture to say that brake qualifies for a you ****.
There is a 6' model on eBay for $5k.
Brandy new Chinese 48" "16ga" models are ~$1200 and Chinese "14ga" are ~$3k.
Yours probably does 6" deep boxes too.
It's not *that* old because it has hex fasteners.
willymakeit
Well-known member
I still kick myself for turning down a 48'' box and pan for 150.00 , don't remember the brand but know it was a good one. I'm such a dumb *** at times.