36" HF metal brake modification

[yager]

Figured id post this here as im sure a bunch have this brake.. Its the 36" harbor freight metal brake.. (I got mine at tractor supply on sale)

The brake claims to be rated for 12ga steel, imho thats pushing it without some modifications.. I'm bending some ~.120 aluminum and when I did a 10" wide piece it started pushing hard on the rear cast piece that is used to adjust the top 'jaw'... Even with it gaped properly for the thickness it twisted/pushed the brackets allowing for the jaw to slide back.. There is only 1 bolt holding that piece on and no guides to keep it aligned. I added a small piece of some 2" channel under the bracket and drilled/slotted. Then drilled the bracket for an extra 5/16" hole.. Just enough to keep it from twisting with the extra strain..

the pics..
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[chumly2071]

I bought that same HF brake last year to bend some 1/8" aluminum as well. After I got it home and set up, I tried it out only to find the same issues you are having. Looking into it more, the brake is rated for 12 ga at only 12" or 18", and 16 ga for the whole width. even at 12", the attempt to bend 12 ga failed. Since it was no higher capacity than my box/pan brake, I sold it to a neighbor who was bulding some replacement floor panels for a street rod project. For his needs and the price, he was content with it.

[yager]

Where did you find that detailed of specification for it ? It simply said 12ga.. and i figured alum be easier.. :) I'm gonna attempt to bend a 36" wide piece of alum. for my gas tank today... I'll post back with the results hehehe

[yager]

Excelent !!! Those were a few other other problem areas I saw as well.. I hand't considered the adjuster bolt brace but it makes sense.. I think ill add similer mods before mine gets tweeked... Thanks for posting the pics!!

[chumly2071]

Where did you find that detailed of specification for it ? It simply said 12ga.. and i figured alum be easier.. :)


http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals/91000-91999/91012.pdf


there is a table with capacities in the user's manual. I had downloaded it originally to verify the beam adjustment procedure.

[SSSRodeo]

Now that's some good tech there. I just bought one of those last weekend and other than bending a 2" light switch bracket for a buddys motorcycle, I have yet to look at it. I think I'll do the same mods for mine before I even start with it. I'm hard on tools and this one promises to get the same treatment.

Damn. I hate to ruin a perfectly good paint job though. Mine doesn't have a scratch on it yet. :shaking: Oh well......
That's one thing I like about Harbor Freight Tools... You don't mind welding on their junky tools before you even use them. Kinda like the silk purse out of the sows ears thing Huh?

I added stud type ball rollers to the bottom of my stand and it made it nice to be able to store it out of the way.

Curtis

[yager]

I did the front. I added some 1.5"x.120 box to the front edge.. I did the front flat bar a little different. I had some 4"x.25 so i used that.. I welded a nut on the backside and cut a notch for the bolt to clear .. I'm letting the bolt push directly on the flat plat to help keep the lower so i can still do some fold overs..

I welded on some 1"x.120 tube for longer handles, Ill do the other stuff tomorrow..

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[pickupmn172000]

do you guys think that thing will bend 11 gauge? I have about 10 4'x5' sheets and no way to bend them. I found a link on an OFN forum about a light duty 6' brake I'll see if I can find the link.

[pickupmn172000]

Please note I found this on another forum and am just passing it on...
thought beefing for 11 gauge? I wanna build a flat bed, tool boxes, etc.
anyways heres the link:

http://team-asol.com/Sheet%20Metal%20Bending%20plans.pdf

[yager]

MigMiester said above he can do a full 36" wide 1/8" I have done a 10" wide piece with no mods and thats what lead me to start looking to beef it up.. I think with these basic mods it will work just fine..

i just looked at the brake in that link, IMHO it won't stand up to 11ga without beefing it up.. 3".25 angle seems strong but without reinforcments it wont hold up over the full span..

and 11ga over a 6' brake ? your talking a big brake... you'd have to watch the brake during a bend to really see/understand how it stresses the components to see how that would increase dramaticlally over a wider distance.. Not saying you couldn't make somthing, it just would have to be pretty beefy..

[yager]

quick update, migmiester has deleted his posts but from his advise I did add a reinforment strap to help support the bolt/stud that holds the adjustable link, It dies make it a pain to remove the clamp bar as you now have to unthread it.. I think a different design might help. But its definilt y needed as the whole thing flexs a good bit with load on it..

Also not show are the 1"x.120 tube extention on the pull handles..

I have sucessfully bent 1/8" alum 36" wide (My fuel cell)
12ga steel.

Both really required 2 people to do the bend. 1 could do it, but I just don't have enough ass. So with each person standing on the bottom leg and pulling up it works easily..

My advise is beef it up before you tweek it..

[PAToyota]

So, why is MigMiester a HGTD? :flipoff2:

[jpmassey]

I've done these same mods. The brake is worthless without them. Do the chinese actually use these tools before they rate them? :shaking:

[yager]

So, why is MigMiester a HGTD? :flipoff2:

Fuck if i know ! We compared notes and were both doing mods to address the problem areas.. So we traded some ideas..

I haven't seen this kind of HGTD-ing in some time...

BTW: That's Homo Gay Thread Deleter for you new folks.. Thats why everyone quotes everyone else so much..