Shopping for a Box & Pan Brake…

[lilscorpion]

so I’m in the market…looking for a 24” long one for making smaller brackets and parts. Used to have a 48” unit, it was too big and I never needed more than half for what I do typically…so 24” is good. Would like capacity of 16ga x 24.

Found this one, pricy but has a lot of features.

2800-24-16-R, Mittler Bros Ultimate Box and Pan Brake, Radius Fingers

Mittler Bros Ultimate Box and Pan Brake features removable upper and lower fingers. This brake is equipped with radius fingers, ideal for aluminum work.

www.trick-tools.com

Amy recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[dr_clyde]

You’re looking for new?

 

[lilscorpion]

You’re looking for new?

Not necessarily. That said, if it’s used, probably needs to be (somewhat) local. Shipping ends up stupid otherwise.

You gotta lead?!?

 

[jeepinerdeep]

That MB one was the only realistic solution when I did an extensive search. You can get the straight finger and do .125" too.

I plan to buy in May of next year.

 

[GeoBruin]

I feel like pexto and diacro b&p brakes show up on Craigslist around here (Los Angeles Area) all the time. I'd pick one up in a heart beat if I had room. But the one you linked looks nice too if you've got the coin.

 

[GeoBruin]

Disregard.

 

[SM Racing]

What a fantastic thread. I am also kicking around buying one of these. I have modified my Horror Freight POS enough, but its only 36in wide and I seem to constantly need a 4ft break for car work.

Like the radius fingers, give the aluminum a nicer look without worrying about cracking. The big question, is the MB box and pan 2K more better than the similar units from Tennsmith and others? Will the MB actually do a full width piece of 16ga?

 

[rsanter]

In my experience all of the China made ones are over-rated.
By that I mean if it says 16ga then you can only count on it making good clean bends in 18ga at full width or even close to full width.

Look also at something called a “folder”
They are bench mount and not as popular/expensive

Depending on what you are trying to do you can also look at one of those press brake kits that can go into a hydrolic press.

Just some thoughts