OK, other than taking it to a shop, how do you guys bend 3/16 plate fairly accurately?

Other than bending it on the rocks?

All I know of is a press brake. It couldn't cost more than a couple of bucks to have something bent at a local shop?

You should know someone that works at a large factory. Many have machine shops and you could ask your friend to have the machinist break it up for you.

Clamp it down and heat it with a Rose Bud and then BFH it.

A bench vice and some HEAT

I take a grinder or my table saw and cut it about half way thru, then bend it to where I want it. Once done, I lay a weld bead on the inside of the bend. Have done this up to 1/2" plate.
Jay

Originally posted by Old Scout
Clamp it down and heat it with a Rose Bud and then BFH it.

it works...:)

Originally posted by ROKTOY
I take a grinder or my table saw and cut it about half way thru, then bend it to where I want it. Once done, I lay a weld bead on the inside of the bend. Have done this up to 1/2" plate.
Jay

that how i do it as well. works great

Yep, I used the grinder/welder approach on my rocker panels. Works good, and you're sure to get the bend just where you want it. Ghetto-fab all the way.

Pete

Northern Hydo sells a small plate brake that goes into a hydro press. 26" wide bends 1/8 full with, 1/4 to something like 12" and so on.

I have one and it works well. They sell a slightly smaller one too.

Cost about $230 but you need to have a press as well. However, I just make a simple sqaure that is just big enough for a bottle jack and the brake.

Yup cut, heat, bend, weld....beats the $20 per bend the local supply outlet wants.
:beer: :beer:

I like to use a 400 ton 16' Accurpress :D :D :D
for 3/16"plate try a 2" V opening and a 1/8" radius punch

here's a link www.accurpress.com

Raider89, you're local... bring it to me. :)
As long as it's 2 feet wide or under, I can press-brake it to 90 degrees or so. Yeah, it's bringing it to a shop, but where else are you going to find a press brake?