This may be a really basic question or I might be missing something but I'm pretty new to fabrication (just bought a drill press about a week ago). I bought a bunch of stock and sheet metal from Menard's to play around with and I'm curious as to how I should go about cutting thicker sheet metal (around 14 gauge) as well as how to bend it to make L-brackets, etc. I figure I'm going to need to buy some sort of tool to do this but I'm not sure what I should be looking for. Thanks in advance for the help.
Cutting and bending sheet metal
- Thread starter MrDomino
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targets from us
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- Dec 31, 2011
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You will need a brake to bend , it can be hard to find a brake to handle 14 ga that is inexpensive.
For cutting you have lots of options. Cut off wheel on a die grinder,Band saw,cut off wheel on a 4 1/2 grinder,jig saw and my favorite cnc plasma.
These work well and are available in air and electric. But again 14 ga is pushing it.
For cutting you have lots of options. Cut off wheel on a die grinder,Band saw,cut off wheel on a 4 1/2 grinder,jig saw and my favorite cnc plasma.
These work well and are available in air and electric. But again 14 ga is pushing it.
Jim Stabe
Well-known member
You can buy Kett shears similar to the one pictured above in various capacities all the way to 10 ga (I believe) 12 ga for sure. I have a 14 ga model that I have used for years cutting mostly 18 ga but I have done 14 ga successfully.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Most stomp/foot shears are good for up to maybe 16 gauge. Above that (below numerically) it will take air or hydraulic power.
The same is about true for a brake, maybe a bit less.
Both of these are expensive new, but you should be able find them used at reasonable prices, but you better know what you are buying !
The same is about true for a brake, maybe a bit less.
Both of these are expensive new, but you should be able find them used at reasonable prices, but you better know what you are buying !
nso123
Well-known member
Most nibblers are good up to 16 ga, so you might consider that. With some practice you can cut pretty good with a nibbler.
A vise, some lengths of 1/4-inch thick 1x1 or better yet 2x2 angle, and a hammer will let you bend 90-degree angles.
For cutting, a good set of Wiss tin snips will do it, and for thicker stuff I use a saber saw with a metal cutting blade.
-Brad
For cutting, a good set of Wiss tin snips will do it, and for thicker stuff I use a saber saw with a metal cutting blade.
-Brad
87FoRunner
Well-known member
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-1-4-quarter-inch-metal-cutting-circular-saw-8897.html
I have the northern version of the above. I love it, cuts through 1/4 and 5/16 like butter.
I plan on picking one of these up soon.
I have the northern version of the above. I love it, cuts through 1/4 and 5/16 like butter.
I plan on picking one of these up soon.
mrobins297aaa
Well-known member
unishear I think will cut to 14ga.........thats pushing it
bad_idea
Well-known member
RETURN IT NOW! Galvanized is some nasty stuff to weld on. The zinc in it causes some kind of sickness. You don't want to breath that stuff.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever
Flathead Red
Well-known member
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
Yup, ix nae on welding the galvanized-ae.
I cut 16ga with an abrasive blade in a circular saw. It wasn't the cleanest option but it did the job as I was only doing straight cuts. I bent the 16ga with a sheetmetal brake I built myself. If I were to do things different I would want to try nibblers or shears to cut the sheet. My sheet metal brake performed as I needed (though I'm doing modifications to it help with efficiency).
I cut 16ga with an abrasive blade in a circular saw. It wasn't the cleanest option but it did the job as I was only doing straight cuts. I bent the 16ga with a sheetmetal brake I built myself. If I were to do things different I would want to try nibblers or shears to cut the sheet. My sheet metal brake performed as I needed (though I'm doing modifications to it help with efficiency).
JayL
Well-known member
I use a Freud Steel Demon on a circular saw for straight cuts using a sled. I had 14 ga sheet and wanted to make drawers but didn't have a sheet metal brake so I just sliced and welded.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NJECWK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NJECWK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
On a 48 inch box pan industrial brake. 16 gauge. Can I bend a two foot piece of 14 gauge on it?
A hand shear or Milwaukee electric shear similar to the one pictured in an earlier post is how I used to handle sheet metal. Now that I have a plasma cutter, the plasma cutter and a straight edge gives the cleanest cuts of any other method available to me in my home shop/garage.
JayL
Well-known member
Does the plasma cutter warp the sheet in anyway? tks
No, the heat from a plasma cutter is concentrated into such a small area that if you keep the torch moving the surrounding metal does not get hot enough to cause any problems. When cutting painted 16 gauge the band of burned paint along the cut line is not very wide, maybe 3/4" probably less (cutting painted sheet metal is not recommended, but it is possible).
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
A jig saw with orbital blade action does a relatively good job of cutting sheet metal. A rubber mat laid on the part not being cut helps dampen the noise.
Alan Douglas
Well-known member
I bought a small bench shear from (probably) Enco some years ago and it does straight cuts very nicely. The Beverly throatless shear has been around for a long time and Harbor Freight sells knockoffs.
These work really well for the money.
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gau...ferralID=8557f012-502c-11e1-a1f9-001b2166c2c0
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gau...ferralID=8557f012-502c-11e1-a1f9-001b2166c2c0
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Something like this is a great beginners project ! Make it come out straight and square is harder than you think for a rookie.
danski0224
Well-known member
Depends.
No Way: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200423976_200423976
More than likely: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200418478_200418478
"Old" 16 ga box and pan brakes look a whole lot more like what is rated at 12 ga today.
You also usually need at least 1" of metal sticking out to be bent.
b-body-bob
Well-known member
I've got one of those and it'll slice through thin sheet like hot butter but can't get it to cut a straight line worth a dang. Not the tool's fault, I just haven't figured out how to hold my mouth right or something.
BWS
Well-known member
Looked for a Beverly throatless for way too long.........will keep looking.In the meantime,bought the ripoff from HF.I knew what the tool was designed for,but read some interesting reviews nevertherless.Like most things cheap/chinese,their quality control is all over the place.One major complaint was the blades being inproperly harden'd.....and thats a big "more or less".Some are'nt hard enough...some too hard.
So I knew enough to make a semi-qualified purchase.Threw it on a welded up Cragar SS,mag wheel based stand.And use it frequently enough that it has been a very handy tool.
About the only thing going for cheapo sheet metal equip,you know the type.....is that it will show you in time how valuable,or how much its being used.....so you can make a qualified purchase on a much better pce.Just don't F**K it up and it can usually be passed to someone you know.And really,in good concience.....they work,well not to advertized thickness capacity....but they do work on thinner chit.So you sell it recoup $$ and get a much better pce.IF....you're not usin it as planned then you don't need anything bigger anyoleways.BW,who you'll have to pry our Pexto equip from my cold,dead fingers!
So I knew enough to make a semi-qualified purchase.Threw it on a welded up Cragar SS,mag wheel based stand.And use it frequently enough that it has been a very handy tool.
About the only thing going for cheapo sheet metal equip,you know the type.....is that it will show you in time how valuable,or how much its being used.....so you can make a qualified purchase on a much better pce.Just don't F**K it up and it can usually be passed to someone you know.And really,in good concience.....they work,well not to advertized thickness capacity....but they do work on thinner chit.So you sell it recoup $$ and get a much better pce.IF....you're not usin it as planned then you don't need anything bigger anyoleways.BW,who you'll have to pry our Pexto equip from my cold,dead fingers!
I know it's hard to do w the allure of China Freight's cheap prices, but try to buy the highest quality tools possible. Also, check out your local scrap yard for stock, mine actually stocks new material & it's way cheaper than Menards.
rodknocker
Well-known member
Craigslist is your friend, Buy a 1940's American made tool, and it'll outlast anything in HF. Or expand your fabrication skills, and make your own tools, with very basic tools, there are all sorts of videos and forums that have great info, look under the fabrication forum on here too.
Iron-Iceberg
Well-known member
You want to bend 1/4" steel 10' long? Haha.
You will need brake about 150-175 tons
This might work http://www.ebay.com/itm/LVD-150-Ton...367?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c46d9807
But really this is a job to farm out to a shop with the equipment to do it. Unless you are going to do a lot of this type of fab and then you would already know what press you need.
Rated ///M
Well-known member
I may add a little word of advice as well.. Don't buy your metal from Menards... you are a paying nearly quadruple what you would pay at a metal supplier...
FWIW
FWIW
Tucko
Well-known member
crewchief888
Well-known member
kinda surprises me nobody mentioned using a 4 1/2" grinder with a cutoff wheel..
motobilt
Well-known member
kinda surprises me nobody mentioned using a 4 1/2" grinder with a cutoff wheel..
LOL I use both a CNC Laser and Plasma for making parts and still use an angle grinder to cut often. It is a must have tool in the shop. Makes for very fast modifications.
Dan DuBose
crewchief888
Well-known member
for me, especially in my craamped garage, a grinder is much more productive.
moving my plasma from it's "parking spot", hooking up air and power always seemed to take more time than the job at hand did.
i eventually sold my plasma for a nice profit
cutting;
World's best tin snips....
Thuillier-Lefrant and custom made ones by Pete Peterman
some PEXTO snips
and Wiss snips for the neighbors to use
Bosch saber saw
Bosch electric shear
Beverly B-2
Niagara 52" GAP shear (only 4' one I've ever seen)
roll shear it needs dies
bending;
Athol vise
home made lock seamer
PEXTO stakes
PEXTO 2"x36" roll
PEXTO bar folder
DiAcro box and pan
DiAcro press brake
Dies and Krump 52" 14ga leaf brake
World's best tin snips....
Thuillier-Lefrant and custom made ones by Pete Peterman
some PEXTO snips
and Wiss snips for the neighbors to use
Bosch saber saw
Bosch electric shear
Beverly B-2
Niagara 52" GAP shear (only 4' one I've ever seen)
roll shear it needs dies
bending;
Athol vise
home made lock seamer
PEXTO stakes
PEXTO 2"x36" roll
PEXTO bar folder
DiAcro box and pan
DiAcro press brake
Dies and Krump 52" 14ga leaf brake
what about bending 1/8 inch aluminum? would a manual brake work? I have been looking into some older 40s 50s units and their around 3000.00 for one in good condition. I plan to bend 4 ft wide pieces and was thinking an 8ft would do..what do you all think?
consult "Machinery's Handbook"
contact the manufacturers of the presses
watch the radius with aluminum depending on the hardness
e-tek
Well-known member
I've been doing this a long time and the best cutter, bare none, is this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gauge-sheet-metal-shear-92148.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gauge-sheet-metal-shear-92148.html
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