Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT Kwik Fab's Small Shop
- Thread starter KwikFab
- Start date
Workspaces sized between 265 and 485 squarefeet.
larry4406
Well-known member
Lot of neat stuff in that small space!
I really like your presses! I believe you have a SWAG on a larger HF press and then the smaller one.
I really like your presses! I believe you have a SWAG on a larger HF press and then the smaller one.
I *used* to have the heavy duty, finger brake kit from SWAG a few years ago.
You probably saw it in the 'Garage' thread where I posted it bending 1/4" plate for that skid plate I made.
I got rid of it as it was a real disappointment trying to make any real bends.
Even with stacking angle iron, and making my own punches, I could not get a respectable bend radius on thinner material.
This is an older video, but you can see how my smaller press brake can knock out a short flange on thick material like 3/16".
For bends where small flanges, or tight corners aren't necessary, the SWAG kit is ok. But for the stuff I do, it is not acceptable at all.
Ok I think I'm done for today 
Anyone who has a significant other that loves anything pumpkin-related would understand lol and owning all this equipment, I can't go without making my wife at least Something.
Customer needs to pick up his goodies, the dog sign needs to get shipped, and I'll need to work on getting the sign primered then painted.
Anyone who has a significant other that loves anything pumpkin-related would understand lol and owning all this equipment, I can't go without making my wife at least Something.
Customer needs to pick up his goodies, the dog sign needs to get shipped, and I'll need to work on getting the sign primered then painted.
bugnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Really liking the work you do. The Pumpkin would go well at my home!
Thanks!
We've got pumpkin kitchen towels, kitchen floor mats, decorations, and more
This sign will go up front as you walk up to the door of the house - the two holes shown there are for bolting on some "legs" I'll cut out later. I did this for two reasons; the first is so that I don't have a large cutout on my steel sheet which limits what I cut next (due to the gap left between the legs), and two so that I can just unbolt the legs and store it away easily.
Dunno what other holidays/seasons you decorate for. You could make the legs permanent and swap out the sign for other holidays.
Initially my idea was to paint the letters and bottom edge black, and for some reason I just told myself to paint the letters orange with the pumpkin.
This was mainly due to the odd transition from black to orange at the end of the last 'e'.
After running black on the bottom, I'm thinking I should've stuck with my initial idea
I hate painting and I'm absolutely terrible at it so we'll see how it comes out.
The top left portion that's covered will get hit with green.
This was mainly due to the odd transition from black to orange at the end of the last 'e'.
After running black on the bottom, I'm thinking I should've stuck with my initial idea
I hate painting and I'm absolutely terrible at it so we'll see how it comes out.
The top left portion that's covered will get hit with green.
Another option is to make it all black, and make a bottom layer that is color-appropriate (orange for the pumpkin side and green on the upper left).
That'd mean trashing the current one due to the layers of paint already on it...
*Edit*
And I'm ******* painting it all black now
That'd mean trashing the current one due to the layers of paint already on it...
*Edit*
And I'm ******* painting it all black now
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Wrench97
Well-known member
Very nice!!Drew up and cut out that internal piece I mentioned.
First coat of paint, before following up with another 2 light layers.
The green about to be added to the top layer.
And now, we let the paint and glue cure!
After the above two tone paint, and visualizing it, I was unhappy with how the end result would come out which prompted me to draw up that background piece.
For the second layer just draw an outline within the original piece itself on its own sketch and export that DXF alone.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Looks awesome
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Subscribed. Great workmanship and missed this thread from the beginning.
JSGAuto
Well-known member
What are you using for a press brake now?
I was fairly sold on the SWAG one, didn't see many more options out there.
I was fairly sold on the SWAG one, didn't see many more options out there.
Use COR-TEN or an equivalent? No painting!
A small bend press.
Best option is a used, light industrial setup or a DIY setup using the punch and die setup of your choice.
I'll be going DIY at some later point, but the SWAG I'd say is for someone bending larger parts, doesn't care about having an appropriate bend radius, and doesn't mind being forced to a larger flange.
Use COR-TEN or an equivalent? No painting!
That and shipping!
Shipping is a huge deal breaker for me, both in time and money.
U-line is a good supplier for shipping goods but you need to commit to the large quantity and hope you have enough orders to make up the cost of said shipping goods.
Everything I make fits into boxes with larger volumes.
JSGAuto
Well-known member
I work in a shop with pro equipment, so very aware of capability. I am really looking for an at home solution for projects that you need something on site. And I am sure the guys at work are tired of hearing me ask for favors!
Just trying to understand the limitations. Tough to find honest reviews from an actual user. So the SWAG is limited due to the bottom tool selection? (I guess if you can call angle iron a tool....) Did you try any other bottom tools with it?
The Bend press looks nice, and that it solves the radii/flange issue. But the bend length looks small for my applications.
Also....love seeing pics of you work!
@JSGAuto
Just a few examples of stuff I would not be able to perform on the Swag kit, whether it's due to the need of a tight bend radius (in relation to material thickness), or just too short of a flange.
This part here, was an actual request for 4 pieces. I didn't even charge the person that ordered them.
Another person needed some brackets to hang a wood sign on his wall with the sign sitting in the "U" shaped opening.
And this needed some small bends to follow the contours of a center console rear.
And lastly, these kits I make often. You can see the short flange that's needed, and it's 3/16" thick which would easily deform on the SWAG kit.
Just a few examples of stuff I would not be able to perform on the Swag kit, whether it's due to the need of a tight bend radius (in relation to material thickness), or just too short of a flange.
This part here, was an actual request for 4 pieces. I didn't even charge the person that ordered them.
Another person needed some brackets to hang a wood sign on his wall with the sign sitting in the "U" shaped opening.
And this needed some small bends to follow the contours of a center console rear.
And lastly, these kits I make often. You can see the short flange that's needed, and it's 3/16" thick which would easily deform on the SWAG kit.
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Oops, I posted those pictures right when you posted!
Yes, I went as far as cutting my own punches on my CNC table and welding them up for a custom punch although the punch selection isn't all too bad from SWAG alone.
The die indeed is a huge limitation, and yes I also made my own reinforced bottom setups in an attempt to bend parts with smaller flanges.
(Old pics)
Seeing as how you already have experience, you'll be disappointed with the SWAG kit unless you fully understand its limitations.
Me, I'm self-taught and knew nothing about bending metal until I got into it some 3 years ago.
And in a short time, I was already running into the SWAG's limitations even with my extremely limited production. I'd call it a hobbyist setup for sure whereas now I can offer what look like professional bends (in a limited width and/or setup).
JSGAuto
Well-known member
Those bends are impressive. Thank you for sharing that.
That's disappointing about the Swag kit. Maybe their new "Pro" kit would fix the issues, but that price point is a bit much for what you get.
I guess I will have to keep looking, or maybe consider designing my own. I have seen lots of American style tools come up cheap on facebook/ebay. Just what I need....another project.
Also...check this out. I am sure you've come across similar, but I use it as a quick reference. Lots of info on one chart.
Jim
That's disappointing about the Swag kit. Maybe their new "Pro" kit would fix the issues, but that price point is a bit much for what you get.
I guess I will have to keep looking, or maybe consider designing my own. I have seen lots of American style tools come up cheap on facebook/ebay. Just what I need....another project.
Also...check this out. I am sure you've come across similar, but I use it as a quick reference. Lots of info on one chart.
Jim
Those bends are impressive. Thank you for sharing that.
That's disappointing about the Swag kit. Maybe their new "Pro" kit would fix the issues, but that price point is a bit much for what you get.
I guess I will have to keep looking, or maybe consider designing my own. I have seen lots of American style tools come up cheap on facebook/ebay. Just what I need....another project.
Also...check this out. I am sure you've come across similar, but I use it as a quick reference. Lots of info on one chart.
Jim
Now you see why I got rid of it lol
I told SWAG for several years to create such a kit as one user in Europe was successfully selling them on Ebay for some time.
Thing is, his setup is meant for Amada tooling which is much more popular there, naturally.
Then bam, the Pro kit finally releases and makes use of American tooling with punches and dies using a 1/2" tang. Not to mention the bottom is adjustable for using custom V blocks in a variety of sizes.
I'd buy the Pro kit myself but I'm too poor
Does your work do air bending or bottom bending (coining)?
@zmotorsports
Subscribed to your Youtube channel!
Looking forward to your content. I've got the tiniest one myself but it's more like a placeholder for videos I share with others that need help from time to time
Subscribed to your Youtube channel!
Looking forward to your content. I've got the tiniest one myself but it's more like a placeholder for videos I share with others that need help from time to time
JSGAuto
Well-known member
We are mostly a prototype shop, air bending is most of the work due to the flexability with flange/radii/materials ect. We do have to occasional application that we do coining. Mostly custom-project specific stuff that warrants the investment.
Tell me you guys rock some Rolla V dies?
Those are so badass - it's crazy to know that Send Cut Send doesn't use them which raises a whole issue when people need specific parts bent, but don't understand the need to incorporate reliefs in their CAD files where a Rolla V solves that issue at times.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
@zmotorsports
Subscribed to your Youtube channel!
Looking forward to your content. I've got the tiniest one myself but it's more like a placeholder for videos I share with others that need help from time to time
Thank you. I'll have to check yours out as well.
Drew up that last part and cut her up.
I went with 11 gauge for a solid foundation vs the 16 gauge I used for each layer on the sign itself.
Paint was going well as I was able to cover the backside until I flipped it over to the front - I ran out of paint so I had to use my hammered texture finish.
Least she's all done!
Not meant to be a huge sign as it's still very noticeable when you're at the foot of the driveway.
It's approximately 17.5" wide and about that high off the ground as shown.
I went with 11 gauge for a solid foundation vs the 16 gauge I used for each layer on the sign itself.
Paint was going well as I was able to cover the backside until I flipped it over to the front - I ran out of paint so I had to use my hammered texture finish.
Least she's all done!
Not meant to be a huge sign as it's still very noticeable when you're at the foot of the driveway.
It's approximately 17.5" wide and about that high off the ground as shown.
They aren't!
I've got a bundle of medium and large flat rate boxes along with some small ones as I use them a lot (paired with Pirateship).
Signs are altogether difficult as many are larger than any flat rate box available.
I flat package whatever signs I have made in the past, using super thick cardboard I've hoarded away (recently used the box from our patio furniture). But you gotta do it just right otherwise it can get bent.
I've even used 1/8" in the form of a cross but now you're talking a higher cost to myself just for packaging
But really, Etsy sellers have ruined that market years ago. The worst part? They often use thinner gauge material and their work is a cookie cutter pattern of a file everyone else already owns.
You should see the complaints new owners have on the FB groups!
What I did sell a lot of were 3D weld-it-yourself dinosaurs. I still have a few boxes left but man I sold these all over the country (including multiple to Canada).
Haven't made one of these all year this year, but I did sell them locally already welded up.
This is another one I did for a little while.
I even toyed with different sizes.
My old welding table...that thing was a beast.
Anyway, that far left one was a big one I made for myself.
About 3' tall and over 5' long.
Someone wanted it so bad I sold it.
Last time I actually did shipped signage was about 11 months ago now that I went through my pics!
These were for a big get together in Arkansas - Razorback Ramble
I recall many of the proceeds going towards funding scholarships and other things, a huge deal really so I was glad to have made all the signs for them.
I sent them raw but they got them powdercoated later before the actual event (May or June of this year).
They were raffled off and everyone loved them I heard.
These were for a big get together in Arkansas - Razorback Ramble
I recall many of the proceeds going towards funding scholarships and other things, a huge deal really so I was glad to have made all the signs for them.
I sent them raw but they got them powdercoated later before the actual event (May or June of this year).
They were raffled off and everyone loved them I heard.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
I’ve been looking at that razorback for way too long trying to figure out what the hell it says in the circle? lol
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I can teach you to paint like Stevie Wonder.Thanks!
If I was into making signs I'd make more to sell for sure! But painting is my achilles heel.
That and patience when waiting for things to cure
JSGAuto
Well-known member
Of course. The first segmented set I bought was painful. The results were so nice we invested in segmented sets for several sizes. They get used all the time.
I've had send-cut no quote some of my projects as well. It's more frustrating when you know it can be done!