Login Register Sign up for the GRM e-newsletter

Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » sheet metal brake
  • May 2, 2011 8:54 p.m. fasted58 Reader

    Stumbled across this at Tractor Supply tonight:

    http://www.tractorsupply.com/welding-metalworking/other-metalworking-tools-accesso...

    Clarke brand, looks pretty stout w/ good onsite reviews. (Max. bend angle of 20 deg. should be 120 deg. per other sites) HF, Northern have the same or similar +/- price, but w/ TS pickup no added freight charge.

    This would bend 90% + of what I generally need. I have access to wider and heavier gauge brakes including box/ pan but for lighter stuff I just use clamps and angle iron or sq. tubing on the bench.

    Granted, it's mostly convenience but at $249 it's no big cost, could always resell when upgrading. Anybody have experience w/ this brake?

  • patgizz

    May 2, 2011 9:23 p.m. patgizz SuperDork

    i have it, got it on sale for around $210 a few yrs ago. i love it, i made bends in some really thick material for my old truck floor. i would definitely recommend it, but i am thinking of making a single handle for locking(tie both sides together) and adding some length to the handles used for bending

  • YaNi

    May 3, 2011 10:18 a.m. YaNi Reader

    That looks the same as my Horrible Freight brake. I'm no expert, but it has worked pretty well for some cancer surgery. I'd bolt it down and add an angle gauge if I used it more often.

  • Grtechguy

    May 3, 2011 12:23 p.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

    dude....make one...

    http://www.ch601.org/tools/bendbrake/brakeplans.pdf

    http://www.millerwelds.com/interests/projects/bending-brake/

    http://www.majorleagueduning.com/tech/Brake/Brake.htm

  • Dr. Hess

    May 3, 2011 2:01 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

    If I had a 4' brake similar to the ones linked to by Grtechguy, I could turn out Europa frames easy. Maybe next time. This one is a space frame because that's what I'm familiar with and it's 75% done.

 
Tire Rack- Revolutionizing Tire Buying

You'll need to log in to post.