Press Brake Die Source?

[Trm303]

Hello guys, I was hoping to find some press brake owners to see where they get their dies from. I recently purchased a European style press brake that did not come with any tooling. I’ve tried used press brake dies in KY, Ebay, multiple machinery dealers, but no luck finding quick change rails or 2V dies for what I need in the quantity I need.

I found a Chinese manufacturer, Harsle, that seems very reasonable in pricing but have not found anyone mentioning them on the web and have not yet received a message back from my quote request. Alibaba seems to have vendors that will make what I need but I have not ordered from Alibaba before and don’t know how to avoid being scammed. Wilson here in the US seems to have everything I need to get set up but I will definitely be paying a premium.

Where do you guys buy your dies from or can you provide some recommendations? Thanks!

 

[cannuck]

I was lucky enough to get 4V bottom die and 3 top dies with my brake, all US style. You might try looking around Ontario as more Euro stuff in Canada than US. If you want premium stuff, suggest Amada https://www.amada.ca/press-brake-tooling. If and when I can afford it, want their lower swivelling wing dies for aluminum work (no scratching). Most such tools are made in one length and cut off to suit (if you hang around fab shops you will notice a lot of short bits for "box and pan" kinds of work). What length is your bed and what tonnage?

 

[4 FN 27]

Wilson Tool! You will not be disappointed. I/We have worked with them since 1968 on Punch Tooling and since 1997 on Press Brake Tooling.

Their tools hold up as long as they are not abused or you don't exceed the rated tonnage (don't get me wrong we push them to their limit.

80% of our Brake Tooling is Wilson. Their Press Brake Tooling Plant is about 6 miles from us. They use our shop for field testing on occasion. Their staff is very knowledgeable and willing to help.

Another option is Amada Tooling (the other 20%).

 

[Damon L.]

If you are looking for non-marking bottoms, Acrotech Inc. in MN has a bunch of urethane options.

 

[cannuck]

I usually use a bit of scrap when critical and not doing a bunch of critical stuff right now (big brake is in storage until I get new shop up).

TRM303: What a beautiful little brake. Not many small enough to fit into a home shop. Haven't see that tool mounting system before. Image did not come into my laptop this morning, but now on real computer. Can you shoot from the end to see the bed and top die mounting systems?

Just looking around....Amada is the distributor for Promecam so best source of information and tools.

 

[Trm303]

I was lucky enough to get 4V bottom die and 3 top dies with my brake, all US style. You might try looking around Ontario as more Euro stuff in Canada than US. If you want premium stuff, suggest Amada https://www.amada.ca/press-brake-tooling. If and when I can afford it, want their lower swivelling wing dies for aluminum work (no scratching). Most such tools are made in one length and cut off to suit (if you hang around fab shops you will notice a lot of short bits for "box and pan" kinds of work). What length is your bed and what tonnage?

8’ bed @70 tons, It also has a Hurco Autobend 7 3 axis unit. I will try looking up in the north as I have not tried that yet!

Wilson Tool! You will not be disappointed. I/We have worked with them since 1968 on Punch Tooling and since 1997 on Press Brake Tooling.

Their tools hold up as long as they are not abused or you don't exceed the rated tonnage (don't get me wrong we push them to their limit.

80% of our Brake Tooling is Wilson. Their Press Brake Tooling Plant is about 6 miles from us. They use our shop for field testing on occasion. Their staff is very knowledgeable and willing to help.

Another option is Amada Tooling (the other 20%).

Wilson is currently my top contender (other then finding them used) due to their legitimacy. I am just a small shop right now and buying this brake was almost on a whim in hopes that my current part production demand takes off (or atleast continues) so dropping another $3-4k in dies makes me feel a little less than comfortable. I’m sure it will pay off in the long run but I’m worried about return on investment taking into account the price of the brake.

I usually use a bit of scrap when critical and not doing a bunch of critical stuff right now (big brake is in storage until I get new shop up).

TRM303: What a beautiful little brake. Not many small enough to fit into a home shop. Haven't see that tool mounting system before. Image did not come into my laptop this morning, but now on real computer. Can you shoot from the end to see the bed and top die mounting systems?

Just looking around....Amada is the distributor for Promecam so best source of information and tools.

From my little research thus far, it appears to be the standard base. Either a 4 way can be a direct fit. A riser goes on top, then a quick change rail, then a die.

 

[Trm303]

I was lucky enough to get 4V bottom die and 3 top dies with my brake, all US style.

How do you like the 4V? I’ve read others find them restrictive when you start getting into more complex parts/bends? The 4v seems to be the most cost effective route for now.. but may cost me more in the long run when I have to buy rails and quick change dies if I get into more complex bends or acute angles

 

[Rccrawlerguy]

I've been buying from powerbrakedies.com

if you look at www.powerbrakedies.com/in-stock This is their short lengths and in stock tooling

 

[bb29510]

hgrinc.com

 

[matthew]

No recommendations, but two other possibilities for getting competitive quotes:

You might also look at RK.

I think Accurpress also sells tooling.

 

[cannuck]

My new-to-me is a 400 ton Accupress clone (maybe 300T tops) still in storage (bought it to get full sheet between columns) but have worked extensively with 4V dies over the years. They are universally used because they are the most flexible and convenient (due to ability for one person to roll by hand) for general work. When you get into something so complex (flanges either side needing clearance) you have to accept that you will need shorter top and bottom dies to get what you need. Real PITA for single custom jobs but essential for production stuff. If you have only one reversed flange you can slide the bottom die out the opposite end to handle the part. One must keep total gap and tooling size in mind in design phase, and plan bend sequences to do what is possible.

 

[IndyGarage]

At one time I had one, and I found some used dies to get started on Craigslist. I just did a quick search and found some available.

 

[Trm303]

No luck with RK and Accurpress, only American style available. Waiting to hear back from Wilson with a quote, but Power Brake Dies seems to be fairly affordable for new. two lengths of bottom 4 way is quoted at just over $1k. Goose neck punches in the $1400 area. I may just go with a 4way for the time being and pick up parts for the quick change as they show up on eBay.

Thanks Cannuck for the insight and thanks for everyones suggestions, definitely pointed me in the right direction

 

[cannuck]

No luck with RK and Accurpress,

Thanks Cannuck for the insight and thanks for everyones suggestions, definitely pointed me in the right direction

No joy on AMada (the distributor??)

 

[bb29510]

press brake stuff hgrinc.com the **** is dirt cheap

 

[Sweetcorn]

press brake stuff hgrinc.com the **** is dirt cheap

I just bought some press brake dies there about 2 months back. They had a bunch.

They were selling them for $1.99 a pound.

 

[crashmtb]

No joy on AMada (the distributor??)

looks like Amada punch holders to meee

 

[Trm303]

No joy on AMada (the distributor??)

To be honest, I was avoiding them because I was told they are spendy. It appears I can’t afford Wilson either. Their pricing seems to be be 1.5x what Powerbrakedies quoted me

I just bought some press brake dies there about 2 months back. They had a bunch.

They were selling them for $1.99 a pound.

Waiting on an email back from the rep but he didn’t even know what European tooling was