Cheapo Sheet Metal Brake

[OkieXJ]

Has anyone ever used one of these?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CLK-GE2036/

I'm looking for something that can brake something 21" wide and 12 gauge and inexpensive. Everything I have found is either >$5k or can only do 22 gauge thicknesses. I'd love to buy this thing and try it out but I don't want to waste $250 if its absolute crap. Any insight is welcome.

 

[RCP Phx]

Might want to check these specs,it looks like the same brake.Width of material affects the thickness you can bend.
http://www.harborfreight.com/36-inch-metal-brake-with-stand-91012.html

 

[OkieXJ]

Cool, thanks for the link. They do look very similar. The other one didn't specify the width at different gauges so that might not be quite big enough. I'd still like to hear if anyone has any experience but I might have to be the first. I'd rather pick it up from HF than pay delivery from Summit so I appreciate your pointing that out.

 

[OkieXJ]

Found this thread on Pirate talking about the same brake:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=553583
I think I might pick one up and try it out. Then maybe see about modding it after I try some test bends on 12 gauge that is maybe 6" wide.

 

[OkieXJ]

Bought this brake. Not very happy. There is no way it can bend 12 gauge out of the box no matter how wide the sheet is. I'll have to heavily modify it to accomplish what I want. At least I only have $230 into it at this point.

 

[xcm]

after looking around at the options...i recently built a press-brake out of extra steel and 2 cheap bottle jacks.... works awesome. i WAS GOING TO buy the hf 20ton press, and swag offroad press brake kit... but realized the center mount jack will allways run into trouble on the wide bends. so i built one with 2 jacks, one on each side.

i'll post pics when its 100%, but im very excited about all my new capabilities that come with it!

 

[OkieXJ]

Yeah, I'd like to see what you came up with and what jack you used.

 

[xcm]

i shouldve gone to HF, and got their jacks (more toneage per $, and their jacks are fine). but i went to a local autoparts store for dual 6 tone'rs. in hindsight, shouldve gone more tons. dont mind the mess, or half done welds, or rusty uncleaned joints. its was a rainy day project.

 

[OkieXJ]

The only concern I would have is the jacks not moving the same distance per stroke of the handle. I guess even if that were the case it wouldn't matter too much. That is a pretty cool idea. I would really like to build something similar if I can come up with the time.

What is the heaviest and widest thing you have tried to bend yet?

 

[xcm]

i maxed it out on a peice of 1/8" x 14"x diamond plate.... wide enough for me! i need it for bending aluminum brake metal body panels, and its plenty for that, and narrow heavier stuff.

 

[bails85]

nice work on that xcm. ive been wondering how to go about making one. only thing is can u bend acute angles or only 90s wit it.

 

[Gold Cobra]

22" up to 3/8":

http://www.swagoffroad.com/20_Ton_Press_Brake.html

 

[RCP Phx]

22" up to 3/8":

http://www.swagoffroad.com/20_Ton_Press_Brake.html

Read all the info:

Max Bending Width 19.25"
Total width of the brake is 22.125" wide

It Is capable of bending mild steel in the following length and thickness.
15" in 1/4"
13" in 5/16"
11" in 3/8"
6" in 1/2"
3" in 5/8"

 

[GrimmJeeper]

I'm going to have to build one of these, I would love to be able to bend 1/4" bar stock instead of cutting it and welding.


Hmmm.... nice work xcm.

 

[pressbrake]

It Is capable of bending mild steel in the following length and thickness.