Question About Pan & Box Brakes

[superskaterxes]

so ive read a few threads on here about different box brakes but i am still unsure about the difference in quality between some of the units out there. I am currently looking for something between 36" and 48" to do ~16GA steel.

Ive come across the tennsmith model HBU48-16

http://www.tennsmith.com/bench-top-hand-brakes.html

and the grizzly G5769

http://www.grizzly.com/products/48-Pan-Box-Brake-16-Gauge/G5769?utm_campaign=zPage

the tennsmith is about 2x the price but doesent seem to offer much more than a 1" increase in box depth.

This will mostly be used for home hobby use and i will rarely bend anything wider than say 12". Does anyone have any input? My budget is around $600 and ive been scouring CL but havent found much.

Also, if the brake is rated for 16ga at full width, does that mean i could do like a 2" piece @ 12ga?

 

[rmack898]

I have that Tennsmith brake and I'm pretty happy with it. I work mostly with aluminum and I can bend 1/8" at full width. You can bend thicker material in reduced width but make sure that you adjust for thickness and offset.
I bought mine used for a good price but if I ever come across a good deal on a Chicago or Pexto, I'll upgrade. I do however believe that the Tennsmith is built a little bit heavier than the Grizzly.

 

[LXCam]

I have th enco version of the grizzly. I think whomever wrote the specs was a bit of a dreamer. Ya it'll bend a full width piece of 16 gauge, but there's just enough flex I always need to work the center a bit to get a full 90 bend. For your 12" width, it'll do that just fine. I have also bent 6" width of 1/8" flat bar, but she didn't like it. It's not something I would suggest trying. All in all for the cost I can't complain but I would like to upgrade some day to a better brake.

 

[crguy]

Just like with a lot of tools - you get what you pay for. The only way to get a good 36-48" brake for $600. is to find somebody giving one away.
I paid $600. for my Diacro 24" box/pan and figured it was a good deal.

 

[astroracer]

If you don't do huge stuff think about getting a big hydraulic press and setting it up with the big finger brake kit from Swag Offroad. I have a 30 ton press with the Swag bender in it and it will do anything from 5/8th's plate down to any sheet metal thickness you need. This gets you set up for big and small stuff all in one package.
The Harbor Freight 20 t Press gets good revues. you could have this set up and working for < 500 bills.
Mark

 

[superskaterxes]

If you don't do huge stuff think about getting a big hydraulic press and setting it up with the big finger brake kit from Swag Offroad. I have a 30 ton press with the Swag bender in it and it will do anything from 5/8th's plate down to any sheet metal thickness you need. This gets you set up for big and small stuff all in one package.
The Harbor Freight 20 t Press gets good revues. you could have this set up and working for < 500 bills.
Mark

hmm this is an interesting idea i just worry that im going to be limited by the press's width if i ever HAVE to do anything a little longer. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[astroracer]

hmm this is an interesting idea i just worry that im going to be limited by the press's width if i ever HAVE to do anything a little longer. Thanks for the suggestion!

Agreed, BUT I do a lot less big stuff then I do smaller and the Swag bender was an excellent buy. I ALSO have one of the Harbor Freight 3 in Combos, roll, brake, shear and that usually gets me by for bigger projects. I do a lot of floor panels for cars I am working on and I can count on two fingers of one hand when I had to do a bend in a panel over 32" wide. That also brings up the 3 in 1. That may be a better option but it is limited to about 18ga in smaller widths.
Mark