sheet metal brake for small auto interior projects

[mslim]

What small sheet metal brake would be good for creating small interior boxes and odd shaped consoles for race and street rod interiors?

I've seen this kind of fabrication in helicopter avionics and broadcast equipment interior consoles but I don't have any idea of what size or capability brake it would take. Would 16 gauge aluminum be the largest thickness sheet I would need?

Also is there a good book that I could study for this type of metal fab?

 

[karoc]

For what you are talking about you would need a finger break that is rated for the thickness of metal your planning on bending. To make boxes you will have to remove finger to allow you to make that box. Aluminum if to thick it will crack if your trying to bend a sharp 90* 16ga is pretty thick, 16 sheets equals 1" 12ga equals will take 12 sheets equal 1"

 

[mslim]

OK maybe 16 ga. is overkill. I saw a video where a guy made a transmission tunnel for his racecar out of 14. I'd guess maximum width at any one time would be 18-24" can you point be to a good quality finger brake. Would I go to Baleigh for something like that or is there a better source?

 

[pi_guy]

I bought the 12 inch 3in1 brake shear and roller. Works great for small projects.

 

[Tinner]

16ga is pretty thick, 16 sheets equals 1" 12ga equals will take 12 sheets equal 1"

No, that's not how it works.

https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/sheet-metal-gauge-chart/

 

[kabinenroller]

I bought the 12 inch 3in1 brake shear and roller. Works great for small projects.

I have one also, it works well for what it is and it’s cost. A throat less shear is also a good investment, mine is a Woodward Fab brand.

 

[HMCFab9]

16 gauge is on the heavier side for automotive body sheetmetal.
18 & 20 is pretty common.

I live about a half hour from Baileigh industrial & looked at their brakes.
The cheapest one is probably similar to what could be bought at harbor freight.
The next better one is built very nice & looks like it would work great, but was priced a little higher than what I wanted to spend.
I ended up buying the JET 4' 16 gauge & it's done what I need it to do. (that was approximately 8-10 years ago)

 

[04chase]

swag offroad has a 20 ton press kit that works decent and has finger break dies

 

[crguy]

Stay away from those crappy combination machines. Companies like DiAcro, Pexto, etc. make good box & pan brakes.

 

[Vvmvbb]

When I was building a lot of aluminum sheet metal parts, decades ago now, I found that the aluminum alloy choice made a big difference in how thick you could go without cracking. If only I could remember which alloys worked well...
But it is worth some effort selecting the right alloy.

 

[clubairth]

For a home guy I use the Harbor Freight 20T press upgraded with their air over hydraulic 20T jack. You will use the manual hand pump about one time before you realize what a mistake that was!

I also added a foot operated air valve which I share with my blast box so I did not need to buy another one. Used quick connects so it's just plug and unplug when moving the foot feed around. This is critical because you need both hands to guide and align things with your foot operating the press.

Added a knob on the bleed down valve so you can operate it with your hand. Again Swag has some nice knobs but it's an easy thing to add if you think about it. I just JB Welded a knob I had laying around onto the factory stub.

Finally I added casters as the press is a very large and awkward tool that is in the way when not in use. The casters just make it a breeze to move.

Hoping to add the Swag Off road finger brake in the future. The offset fingers are what you want for your application. Don't even consider anything but 20T and above for a shop press.
.
.
.