DIY Sheet Metal Brake

I have never worked with sheet metal before so don't take this as the gospel, but it worked for me.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Box and Pan Brake
• Brake Press Plans
• Homemade Brake Press
• Sheet Metal Fabrication
• Hand Brake
• SubmarineBoat

[10000jd]

Would the bender work as well if instead of clamping the pan to the table, clamp the portion of sheet metal to be bent up, directly to the angle iron portion of the table. You can still use any length angle iron you need to fit the job.

[submarineboat]

@10000jd I sure it would. The professional break presses don't have big tables. I just happen to have had a table to start from. It is handy not to have to hang onto a big piece while it gets clamped down.

[imbro84]

@submarineboat A really nice bender. I got some sheet metal to bend and need to build one too. Could you please tell how thick are those angles? In the movie you say they are 3/8 inch thick and 2 1/2 inch wide and in one of your posts you say they are 1/4". Of course thicker is better but my sheet metal is 16 gauge and i dont want to make this bender overpowered :)

[submarineboat]

@imbro84 They're 3/8" and 6.5 ft long. ...but you're right thicker is better especially if you're going to bend 6ft. Best of Luck

[Fire4FX]

What's the thickness of your sheet & what type of metal? I'm trying to bend 50" zincseal & having trouble with it atm. Using your same idea your angle is bigger & thicker than what I have & mine is bending in the middle rather than a clean line. I may have to Dremmel my line so it's thinner to bend.

[submarineboat]

@Fire4FX I think that is 18 gauge galvanized steel in the video but it works on heaver sheet too. The angles are 1/4" thick.  I'm never tried zincseal. I have cut grooves into aluminum to bend it and that works. Maybe you could heat it?

[bladder1010]

Very creative. Careful welding galvanized metal, though, if you value your braincells and major organs.

[Metalunique]

Great tutorial, I've learned more watching folks like you than what I'll ever learn from any school

[sisseeboy]

also try making an A frame on the top angle clamp to help stiffen it in the middle. that is the solution on most professional brakes for the issue of crisp bend throughout the entire length of a brake on larger pieces

[kingmike40]

The reason for the name "press brake" is the sheet metal is flat or a plane bending a plane you are braking the plane. And that is why it is called a press brake not press bend.

[soldier715]

Well done sir.

[Jes437]

Nice video sir, and well presented.

[TheBodvarg]

wear some gloves when handling this sheet metal beacuase you will get blood poisoning if you cut yourself

[strube1369]

Don't know how it could be simpler or more effective. Nice job. Thanks for sharing with us.

[PaulPreddy]

Brilliant & very well explained too. Thanks for uploading.

[bedofrazorsqwerty]

Harbor Freight clamps. My man!

[MrRichinil]

you gota love good ole yankee ingenuity,ive been wondering how to make a break and now i know..........thanks,good job