Interested in getting a sheet metal brake that can bend up to 16 gauge steel to maybe 36" wide.
I would not be using it all the time so don't want to spend big bucks on a production style brake.
I see lots of low-buck options, ready-to-go and plans available to build your own.

Anyone have any experience with such an animal?

Appreciate any info.
Jay

I bought one yesterday from House of Tools, $100 us. ($160.00 cdn)

It's 30" wide, made of aluminum.

I did a couple tests one it, the bends are fairly crisp, certainly not what you get from a prefessional brake.

However, I only need to build a centre cowl for my shifters, and a few other odds and ends.

I'm not usually one to buy cheap tools, but I only needed a few bends.

Jay,
Later tonight I will post a pic here of a brake I made. It's 4ft , and although semi light it'll do the 16g. I dont use brakes very often which is why I decided to make one instead of buy a big bad boy. As soon as I finished it I made money with it making machines hoods for a local power plant owned by ENRON!:eek: this was back in 99 so I got paid!!! For a cheap ass break it works really well. I have made several aluminum boxes with it as well 1/8 6061 diamond plate what a bitch that stuff is actually really hard to bend but it'll do it. By using heavier material on the upper & lower supports, and maybe pillow block bearings for rotating assembly, and even conterweights on the arms you could probably make it bad ass. I plan on making a 6 or 8ft next time , and will probably wait until I have a small mill so I can make it a finger brake.
weldpro

Here's the pics Jay ( a day late-sorry)
The first shows it with a stainless top so I actually use it as a tranny bench, and the top portion of the brake is underneath. The bolts that run through the springs Make them as big as you can 3/4 would work well, as would any spring that is tall enough (valve springs?). The bed of the brake is 2x4x .188 that has 3/16 angle on each side of the tube to make the corners of it square. This thing is soooooooo simple to make it'll take only a few hours , and you could make it so much better if you used even thicker materials, and bigger bolts, etc. Oh the swinging portion rides on brass bushings 5/8 diameter but again go as big as you can.

#2

Thanks.
Jay

Nice job on that brake! I don't have any pics, but the garage where I work on my Jeep at has a 8' brake. It is so nice being able to bend what ever you want when ever you want. It helps too that the owner and I have worked in the sheetmetal industry before. I have fabed so many parts for my Jeep including a dash, hood, overhead counsel, and we even made two sets of side body panels. One for a wrangler that we lengthed and Jason Paules rock buggy. Get one and you will love it.


Later,

Erin