Bending 1/4 inch steel

[bluedog225]

I’m taking a new approach on making my metal brackets. Is there any real downside to bending 1/4 inch x 2” flat bar into 90 degree angles?

Specificallly, will a single field bend appreciably weaken the steel? And would heating red hot then bending help, or hurt, in terms of final strength? Quench or no?

I’ve got the material to make a bending jig with a long lever arm.

Thanks

 

[ATC]

Bend away. What are the brackets for?

I use a brake that fits the HF 20-ton shop press. It’s awesome for stuff like that.

 

[gmcgeo]

I have a 20ton HF press also. I change to a pneumatic 20 ton bottle jack. makes it easier to operate

 

[crazylunker]

I made a couple brakes for my press several years ago. I have no problem doing a crisp bend in 1/4 up to 8" wide. The first brake was just made from scraps and had had a ton of use which shows but it still works great

 

[ATC]

SWAG 20 TON Press Brake DIY Builder Kit

20 TON Press Brake DIY Builder Kit Press Brake kit comes unassembled, you do the final assembly and welding.Designed to fit the Harbor Freight 20 ton hydraulic press Item # 32879, 60603 & 70603.Press brake kit includes an adjustable back stop for accurate and repeatable bends. Max Bending Radius...

www.swagoffroad.com

 

[gmcgeo]

SWAG 20 TON Press Brake DIY Builder Kit

20 TON Press Brake DIY Builder Kit Press Brake kit comes unassembled, you do the final assembly and welding.Designed to fit the Harbor Freight 20 ton hydraulic press Item # 32879, 60603 & 70603.Press brake kit includes an adjustable back stop for accurate and repeatable bends. Max Bending Radius...

www.swagoffroad.com

I purchased the finger brake set off of them, best purchase i made all year

 

[bluedog225]

They are some heavy brackets to hold some 16” beams together.

Thanks all.

 

[welder4956]

Specificallly, will a single field bend appreciably weaken the steel? And would heating red hot then bending help, or hurt, in terms of final strength? Quench or no?

If this is just ASTM A36 mild steel, a hot bend will not cause any significant reduction in strength. There might be some minor change in grain size if it is heated above the lower transformation temperature (1335 F), so keep it in the 1100-1200 range using a temperature crayon (Tempilstik) or a infrared thermometer. Quenching won't restore any strength because of the low carbon content of mild steel (0.30% or less), but shouldn't hurt either if you just need to cool it down after bending.

 

[jack stand]

I didn't mention it on your first post, but a box (50) of appropriate structural screws is more than enough to make both ply's to work as one beyond your steel wrap-brackets effort. A zig zag pattern, opposite on each side is what's recommended.
Look for either of these.

You may want a 3 1/2" to not blow out the back side.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Best to keep the inside radius equal or greater than the material thickness. Sharper bends may cause fractures.

 

[tester19]

Every time I see that SWAG finger brake I wonder why I don't have one!
Not one complaint from anyone.
So useful too.

I have the 20T HF press and upgraded that to a 20T air over hydraulic jack and one of the best things I did was to go to a foot valve to operate the press. Leaves both hands free to guide things and much safer as you can stand to side of the press while operating it. Also added casters for easy moving.
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[619DioFan]

I use my press for bending and I also have the floor mount bender from HF. I really like the hf bender as it can do curved bends as well. It will barely accept 2 inch flat stock, nothing wider.

 

[bluedog225]

Close enough for my purposes. I’m wanting to tie those 16” lvl’s to the top plate and to the triple lvl.

Of course, the drill press switch broke on the first hole.

Thanks all!

 

[jack stand]

Am I looking at "Paralam" studs? ...on like 6 or 8" centers? Holy cow man, we need the back story!

 

[bluedog225]

It’s a tall structure. The engineer was well seasoned. And thought those timberstrand studs would run true. The framers hated them because the nails wouldn’t sink. I bumped the 1/2” ply to 3/4 back when it was $22 per sheet. 10d hot dipped ring shank on 4”-6” centers. The framers also hated that.

 

[nadogail]

I am guessing your Framers did not like driving those nails.

That is why pneumatic nailers are made.

 

[jack stand]

"Engineered lumber" is a **** ton harder than regular KD and it's not unusual to have to finish setting nails flush.

 

[kwb]

It’s a tall structure. The engineer was well seasoned. And thought those timberstrand studs would run true. The framers hated them because the nails wouldn’t sink. I bumped the 1/2” ply to 3/4 back when it was $22 per sheet. 10d hot dipped ring shank on 4”-6” centers. The framers also hated that.

Now I need even more info. That door and lack of a drive really begs some questions.

If there is a whole lot of piles and steel pan to pour a deck/driveway now I am really going to be interested.