Need new sheer and box brake

[RANGER295]

I am I'm a high school or shop teacher and I need to replace our sheet metal shear and get a box break. I have been pretty much dead set on US made because I have the money available and I want something that is going to last.

I was looking at the 6 ft heavy duty 12 gauge pan break made by National and the 52-in 12 gauge hydraulic shear also by National. Problem is, they are supposedly really hard to get and can take 6 to 12 months.

One vendor is pushing GMC but they are Taiwanese and don't look like they are any better than grizzly or any of the other importers.

I looked at the Pexto/Tensmith/Roper-Whitney line up and they definitely do not have a sheer will do what I want. They have one break that looks like it may meet my expectations.

I'm kind of at a loss as to where to go from here. I want something that will hold up to a lot of use for the next at least 18 years until I retire. I may have to wait for a national if I cannot find something else. Does anyone have any ideas? Thank you

 

[readhead]

Are you dealing with equipment suppliers? Most will source what what you want and even deliver. By doing this on your own you may miss a lot of things you may not be aware of. There are a lot of good machines especially out of Europe.

 

[cvairwerks]

Do you actually need the 12 gauge capacity? When I was in high school metal shop, any work in heavier than 16 gauge was super rare. These days, for the heavier materials, most shops probably have plasma cutter capability.

 

[dr_clyde]

What's your budget? If you're hamstrung by a low budget that will make it harder to find a good machine, especially brand new.

There are lots of vendors and manufacturers that make what you're looking for, but you might need to look outside the ductwork/hvac industry.

Accurshear, Cincinnati, and Chicago are where I'd look for a shear. Hydraulic is the way to go, avoid air or stomp. Mechanical shears are hard to find new, if any are made anymore.

Box and pan brakes are a bit easier to find, National or Chicago is where I'd start.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have done really well with our Craigslist. That relationship died an untimely death when covid hit, I bought my PEXTO box brake a few years ago. There is a nice NIAGARA shear close to me.
I feel strongly that the old made in North America machines are so much better than what we are burdened with in 2024.
i am entering into the shade of 80 years old, so I am not buying machines for myself, now. My 2 kids will use the tools.

 

[RANGER295]

Are you dealing with equipment suppliers? Most will source what what you want and even deliver. By doing this on your own you may miss a lot of things you may not be aware of. There are a lot of good machines especially out of Europe.

I have two local vendors I work with looking for solutions right now. So far they keep suggesting Chinese options. They are looking more still. The problem is, one of the vendors is a welding supply place and they really do not deal with this type of equipment much. The other one is our local hardware store and he is reaching out to all of his vendors to see if any of them can help us.

Do you actually need the 12 gauge capacity? When I was in high school metal shop, any work in heavier than 16 gauge was super rare. These days, for the heavier materials, most shops probably have plasma cutter capability.

If I could go up to 10 gauge without taking a major jump in price I would do that. To be honest, we could probably get by with the lighter weight sheer but the break I really need the heavier capacity. You are right that we have a plasma table. In fact, with the same grant money that is buying this equipment, I am buying a $75,000 plasma table as an upgrade to the one we have now which is kind of worn out. The funny thing is, I rarely work with anything under 14 gauge. We do more heavy fabrication though I would like to get back into some basic sheet metal work. With the brake we bend 14 gauge for barbecues and fire pits. Honestly I would probably be better suited with a press break but it is not really in the budget and I would have to bring electricity over to where I want to put it. I'm starting to run out of room for big equipment.

What's your budget? If you're hamstrung by a low budget that will make it harder to find a good machine, especially brand new.

There are lots of vendors and manufacturers that make what you're looking for, but you might need to look outside the ductwork/hvac industry.

Accurshear, Cincinnati, and Chicago are where I'd look for a shear. Hydraulic is the way to go, avoid air or stomp. Mechanical shears are hard to find new, if any are made anymore.

Box and pan brakes are a bit easier to find, National or Chicago is where I'd start.

I will check out chicago and the others you mentioned. As far as the budget goes, I have a little wiggle room that I could probably divert more money towards it but it is going to mean cutting something else. I have I think $9,000 budgeted for the brake and $14,000 budgeted for the shear.

I have done really well with our Craigslist. That relationship died an untimely death when covid hit, I bought my PEXTO box brake a few years ago. There is a nice NIAGARA shear close to me.
I feel strongly that the old made in North America machines are so much better than what we are burdened with in 2024.
i am entering into the shade of 80 years old, so I am not buying machines for myself, now. My 2 kids will use the tools.

I totally agree with you. This is how I have outfitted my shop at home but being that it is still a school I have to buy new. One of the worst things we did in some ways was to get rid of all the 1940s woodworking equipment and put brand new Taiwanese powermatic stuff in there. That was before I was in charge though so I really do not have any say in the matter. I recently picked up a South Bend lathe from the 50s for my shop at home.

 

[dr_clyde]

This is a local dealer that I have used several times in the past. They've always done right by me. If you give Andy a call I'm sure they will ship to California, they send machines all around the world.

Shears - Vander Ziel Machinery Sales

vanderzielmachinery.com

Brakes Hand - Vander Ziel Machinery Sales

VanderZiel Machinery sales offers a wide selection of new hand brakes. We have straight brakes and box and pan brakes with fingers in a wide selection of capacities.

vanderzielmachinery.com

 

[readhead]

You need to be talking to actual sheet metal equipment suppliers. A lot of them will also handle used and reconditioned equipment.

 

[RANGER295]

I thought I'd give an update. It looks like I am going to end up with a Tennsmith shear. I'm getting one that's only rated for 16 gauge. Anything lighter than that I decided can go on the plasma table no problem. I found a place that the sheet metal tooling about 45 minutes away that actually has one in stock so I can get that quickly.


The brake is turning into more of a challenge. No one has what I'm looking for actually in stock and I have called all over the place. One place told me they called National and National guarantee that they would have it by the end of the fiscal year but the vendor said that they have had them promise a certain lead time and then not deliver on time. If I don't spend it by the end of the fiscal year I lose it so that's not a good option. Even the Tennsmith I was looking at no one can guarantee I can get within a year. I just find that mind-boggling. The only piece of equipment that everyone seems to agree on being quality that I can get quickly is the Chicago. It is made in Taiwan which bothers me but I am being told it is still a solid piece of equipment that will not let me down. It is looking like I may be forced to go that direction. Next week I am driving about an hour to go look at the 4 ft version of what I would be getting. If I like it I will probably go that direction. I'm told the 8-ft Chicago can be delivered by late October.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Maybe shoot a PM to Pat. @4 FN 27 and see if any of his suppliers have a line on anything. He's in the (semi-retired) commercial sheet metal business.

 

[dr_clyde]

The problem is OP is riding that fine line where he wants high end light duty equipment. The demand really isn't there for it so most manufacturer's don't stock a lot of it.

Heavy industrial work, no problem. Cheap hobby stuff, same deal. The problem is when you want something that is too small or light duty for real work but too heavy or expensive for hobby work.

Most shops I see want a shear that will do 10 feet of 1/4", so OP's class of equipment is out. Same with a brake.

 

[ZRX61]

I thought I'd give an update. It looks like I am going to end up with a Tennsmith shear. I'm getting one that's only rated for 16 gauge. Anything lighter than that I decided can go on the plasma table no problem. I found a place that the sheet metal tooling about 45 minutes away that actually has one in stock so I can get that quickly.


The brake is turning into more of a challenge. No one has what I'm looking for actually in stock and I have called all over the place. One place told me they called National and National guarantee that they would have it by the end of the fiscal year but the vendor said that they have had them promise a certain lead time and then not deliver on time. If I don't spend it by the end of the fiscal year I lose it so that's not a good option. Even the Tennsmith I was looking at no one can guarantee I can get within a year. I just find that mind-boggling. The only piece of equipment that everyone seems to agree on being quality that I can get quickly is the Chicago. It is made in Taiwan which bothers me but I am being told it is still a solid piece of equipment that will not let me down. It is looking like I may be forced to go that direction. Next week I am driving about an hour to go look at the 4 ft version of what I would be getting. If I like it I will probably go that direction. I'm told the 8-ft Chicago can be delivered by late October.

Not sure what part of California you're in, but you need to be looking at used equipment stores in areas where there used to be aerospace companies. There are a couple around SFV, but I forget the names, one is in Chatsworth

 

[ZRX61]

Google brings up four:

Wheeler Machinery Sales

Find LATHES, GRINDERS, SAWS, MILLING MACHINES, PRESSES and other equipment for sale at Wheeler Machinery Sales.

www.wheelermachinery.com

Amiron Machinery | We Buy Used Machinery In Any Condition, Location, or Price Range!

www.amiron.com

Used Metalworking Equipment Dealer | Industrial Assets Machinery

Used Machinery Dealer in Los Angeles California, We Buy Sell Lease Trade Auction Finance and Appraise all used machines and equipment.

www.iamachinery.com

Used Industrial Machinery | Buy & Sell | Los Angeles, CA

Buy, sell, or trade all types of industrial machinery at Mid-City Machinery Exchange. View our different types of used machinery. Call 310-650-0069.

www.midcitymachineryexchange.com

 

[Southernbuild]

It feels like you're pushing the limits of manual equipment / typical "sheet metal" gauges...

Anyway, check out Trick-tools.com they've got a ton of sheet metal fab equipment, including US made stuff. I've bought from them with good experience.

 

[Jim greengo]

I'd try an equipment auction myself.