Is this a hand brake?

[k p]

Anybody know what brand/model this little guy is? It's advertised as a hand brake but I don't know if that's accurate. (I'm a newb when it comes to sheet metal so I can't tell what this would be used for)

 

[justanengineer]

Its a bar folder, not a brake. Similar, but not the same and not nearly as useful. Ive got a Pexto sitting in a corner now awaiting resto, think I paid ~$50 for it, might be able to flip it for $100 on a good day.

 

[k p]

Its a bar folder, not a brake. Similar, but not the same and not nearly as useful. Ive got a Pexto sitting in a corner now awaiting resto, think I paid ~$50 for it, might be able to flip it for $100 on a good day.

Excuse my ignorance but what exactly is the difference?

 

[rsanter]

Functionally there is not much difference but the smaller ones like that are called folders

Technically a brake has some height tp the top fingers so you could put something in there that has some depth like you were making a box.
That one dosent

Bob

 

[roalco]

Semantics. When I was doing aircraft sheet metal we called them "plain" brakes and "box and pan" brakes.

 

[k p]

Interesting. So it's not a "brake" but it has the same functions as a brake, minus the ability to bend metal with any height (eg. a box). Sound right?

 

[Stephenw]

A bar folder has an adjustable depth stop. Unlike a brake, you cannot slide a piece all the way through.

 

[Outlawmws]

It is generally for folding a hem on an edge of smaller pieces, or for the same on box patterns that have not yet been folded into a box shape.

Make the initial bend, pull it out, lay the started hem on top, and repeat to flatten it.

It won't take longer pieces and it uses the stops so its good for what back in the day would have been production work.