Metal brake?

[outcastrc]

Just wondering how many people use a metal brake for bending alum? I have been hunting for one for a long time and my local Princess Auto is putting there 18" Aluminum brake on sale.

http://www.donkihote.com/images15000000/14446303.jpg

Most of the ones I have seen are all 30" - 36" all steel construction brakes... WAY to big for the space I have available to me. The 18" is aluminum in construction, and while being light does have me worried about it not being strong enough for my needs. Hopefully it will be.

The days of a vice and hammer will soon be over!!! :banana:

[Froshmasta]

That looks like a nice piece of kit. I'm sure it'll bend some RC sized stuff no problem. Just don't go trying to shape rebar with it or anything :)

looovvvvvvvvve Princess Auto :chug:

[Etype R]

I use one like that from Harbor Feight, looks the same but it has black paint on it. They claim it can only handle up to 16 gauge steel. So I pushed it a little... And I keep pushing it. I bend 1/8" aluminum in it all the time. I have bent all of my TLT top axle link mounts on it. A couple chassis parts, and some braces as well. Its never happy when I bend aluminum, but it has not broke yet. Just make sure you bolt it down to a bench, or clamp it down. And you will need a handful of c-clamps for holding the top bar on top of your part.

[davkin]

I have one of those as well and use it for 1/16" aluminum and even steel all the time. I've never tried 1/8" aluminum, I'm very suprised it works.

David

[outcastrc]

Originally posted by Etype R@Aug 21 2005, 07:35 AM
I use one like that from Harbor Feight, looks the same but it has black paint on it. They claim it can only handle up to 16 gauge steel. So I pushed it a little... And I keep pushing it. I bend 1/8" aluminum in it all the time. I have bent all of my TLT top axle link mounts on it. A couple chassis parts, and some braces as well. Its never happy when I bend aluminum, but it has not broke yet. Just make sure you bolt it down to a bench, or clamp it down. And you will need a handful of c-clamps for holding the top bar on top of your part.
1/8th eh? wow! Is yours made of alum or steel? I was figuring 1/16th would be the best bends I would get out of it.

I always figured I would just make one out of steel one day. But I don't have much access to welders and such to make one. I was kinda thinking if I like this one I would just copy it in steel, and bolt the whole thing together. Or even just replace the weaker parts with steel versions to make it stronger. Time will tell I guess...

[Rikpal]

mhhhh .... errre.... what is metal brake? :blink:

[Spoon37]

its a bending brake - it allows you to bend flat sheet metal in a reasonably precise radius. it grips the sheet below and above the area to bend, and the levers allow you to pivot the top half which forms the bend...

that make sense? :blink:

I need one too..... :lol:

:banana:

[Rikpal]

mhhhh .... errre.... what is metal brake? :blink:

[Etype R]

Mine is steel, if the one you can get locally is aluminum then you might want to order one from harbor freight. I think they are about $22.

And Ripkal, just think of it as a metal folding machine. A metal brake like this can make bends just past 90*.

[outcastrc]

Well this week Princess Auto has them on for 15 Can! Sale starts tomarrow. And I plan on being there when they open!

Rikpal: Maybe it'll help if I explain it thus...

Its a Folding Figger Ma Giget.

You clamp the alum sheet onto the bootm plate. Its sandwiched between to thick plates to hold it still. Then you grab the levers and bend up. the alum is force to bend in a pradicatable manner. Simply because it has no choice. Whit this type of machine you can even make a metal box. Pretty neet. Not that I need to make one.

What I like is I will be able to make predictable bends everytime.

Heres a better picture of it doing its thing:

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/15105_lg.jpg

[Rikpal]

Clear now thanks ;)
I'd love to have one.

[outcastrc]

Well I grabbed mine today for a grand ol 15 bucks Canadian! I grabbed a bunch of quick clamps while I was at it. Heres a quik run thru in pictures of a bend...

http://www.outcastrc.com/craig/posts/2005-08-23,10.jpg

http://www.outcastrc.com/craig/posts/2005-08-23,09.jpg

http://www.outcastrc.com/craig/posts/2005-08-23,08.jpg

http://www.outcastrc.com/craig/posts/2005-08-23,07.jpg

http://www.outcastrc.com/craig/posts/2005-08-23,06.jpg

http://www.outcastrc.com/craig/posts/2005-08-23,05.jpg

http://www.outcastrc.com/craig/posts/2005-08-23,03.jpg

[Kmot]

Very nice! Especially for the price. $15 Canadian is like what, $3 US? :lol:

[Jchung]

Oh man...I need one of those too! I just bend some small pieces of aluminum today. First one came out alright, second one was...not so great :lol: . I used a vice and a rubber mallet. :banana:

I have a question, is it a must to lock/screw is down onto a platform?

[outcastrc]

Would all depend on what your bending. I would imagine 1/8 needs to be bolted down, 1/16th would be done with it clamped down, less hand down. That alum peice was just a quick picture event. Its only 1/32 or something. Could have done it by hand...

The reason a metal brake is so important is that you can do many bends and they are all the same. One day I will make a better one but this will do me just fine for now.

[Rikpal]

I NEED ONE!!!!!!
Nice hint OC ;)

[Kmot]

I checked out Princess Auto online. It is a very nice store.

They have virtually all the same products that here in the US the Harbor Freight stores have.

[outcastrc]

Originally posted by Kmot@Aug 24 2005, 10:00 AM
I checked out Princess Auto online. It is a very nice store.

They have virtually all the same products that here in the US the Harbor Freight stores have.
The only problem is they don't get into bigger tools. I would love it if they would start carrying lathes and mills. Maybe time will tell...

Still I am there every week to grab something. This week was a 15 buck brake, and 8 $2 buck clamps! :banana: Great store. I buy EVERYTHING there. And if it breaks I upgrade that tool for a higher quality one. 95% of the time I don't have to upgrade...