Sheet Metal Brake - recommendations

[mburch]

Originally Posted by ZephyrSurfer

How does that thing work? How do you create bend radiuses on it? I thought it was really just for air-conditioning duct, gutters, and things like that. And you can only bend something in one plane, right? Like a Z, but maybe not a U.

It can bend whatever the radius is that I used when:

Originally Posted by mburch

The only thing I changed was to radius the nose piece

A very simple device, but in my experience adequate for typical RV fabrication.

[ZephyrSurfer]

You know, I'm kind of liking this Swag product. I've already got the HF 12-ton press that this is designed for.

https://www.swagoffroad.com/products...iy-builder-kit

[fl-mike]

Originally Posted by Freemasm

Anyone recognize this make? Available pretty cheap but don't want a 100 mile round trip hassle is it's a POS.

Looks like a Tennsmith or clone. A finger brake (box/pan) is more useful.

[Freemasm]

Originally Posted by fl-mike

Looks like a Tennsmith or clone. A finger brake (box/pan) is more useful.

Yes but for $450, I’ll get my money back almost guaranteed.

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by Freemasm

Yes but for $450, I’ll get my money back almost guaranteed.

As long as the lip is not damaged, that's a steal.

[Freemasm]

Yes. Price alone does NOT help a case of the Tool Whoredom.

[Stewbronco]

Could you share the bend templates?

[ZephyrSurfer]

I ended up snagging this Kaka ($750 retail) for $400 from the dealer as a demo. I asked about bend radius and he said the cam that holds the fingers is eccentric so you can move the fingers back and forth. No idea what this means. Yet... (Time to learn)

[Freemasm]

Originally Posted by ZephyrSurfer

I ended up snagging this Kaka ($750 retail) for $400 from the dealer as a demo. I asked about bend radius and he said the cam that holds the fingers is eccentric so you can move the fingers back and forth. No idea what this means. Yet... (Time to learn)

I'm not the guy here but can share the lesson taught to me and since experienced. He's talking setting the distance between the finger radius/bed contact point and the apron bend point/axis. Setting a bigger gap will widen the bend radius. Chances are, the bend radius will not be exactly constant. A machinist might notice but probably no one else unless you making a relatively large radius that way. Enjoy the new toy.

[gyoung]

Originally Posted by ZephyrSurfer

I asked about bend radius and he said the cam that holds the fingers is eccentric so you can move the fingers back and forth. No idea what this means. Yet... (Time to learn)

You need to move the fingers back the thickness of the material for a zero radius bend, assuming no radius on the fingers. Imagine the hinged portion swinging up on a 90 deg bend. The material has to fit between that and the fingers. If you need a bigger radius than the fingers provide, insert a shim between the material and fingers. Move the fingers back further to accommodate this new thickness.