Metal Brake Question Dave, Matt, somebody?

Post by **Greg D** » August 25, 2009, 4:14 pm

I need to make a bunch of small patch pieces for my Uni so I bought a Harbor Freight 18" Brake. The specs say up to 16ga. Would I be correct that I could likely use it for 14ga too bending maybe 6 - 10" sections if I placed the clamps close to the work stock? After all the 16ga spec would be for the full 18" of width and it should take less force to brake the thicker metal in a much smaller width, right? I am only going up one size in thickness and it's all mild steel.

MattsIASlickShop · Post by **MattsIASlickShop** » August 25, 2009, 4:17 pm

It would work ok, the bend might not be as sharp as is will be with 16 gauge. On 6" or so you wouldn't even notice it.

Post by **Greg D** » August 25, 2009, 6:01 pm

Thanks Matt!
I kinda planned on the bend being a little "softer". The bend won't need to be as sharp on the 14ga anyway, it's to finish out the gussets on my cab mounts I made.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » August 25, 2009, 7:37 pm

Greg.
The only problem you would have would be the brittleness of the metal at the bend.
Not a problem with steel so much, but could be with aluminum because of the radius of the bend.
One way to mitigate this problem is to put a "spacer" under the material being bent so you get a longer radius.
Skip

willy3486 · Post by **willy3486** » August 25, 2009, 7:42 pm

While were posting on metal brakes if you are looking for a production type metal tools check out Tennsmith. They are down the road from me and as far as I know the products are all made here in the USA. The people who started the company in the 60s started it after they sold powermatic. That company was started almost 100 years ago. I have nothing to gain at all but I am sick of seeing the companies around me getting sold out and taken over seas. So if you are looking into a really good production type machine check them out. I used one of their brakes and also a notcher years ago when I worked in maintainence in a factory, they really were nice products.

They are at http://tennsmith.com/

DCarr · Post by **DCarr** » August 25, 2009, 9:56 pm

Greg,I have used the HF brake myself the way you describe. Just clamp the bar real well
as close as you can to the bend and it should work.

BMJ's 65 · Post by **BMJ's 65** » August 26, 2009, 7:17 am

Greg, I agree with these guys, as long as you are clamped up rigid, it shouldn't be a problem.

36truck · Post by **36truck** » August 26, 2009, 9:47 am

I have a 4' Tennsmith bender that I bought years ago works great. I've used it for many bending projects.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » August 26, 2009, 11:20 am

Dave's not here!

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » August 26, 2009, 2:19 pm

JC
I got it.
But I guess you had to be there.
Ear ache my eye.
ROTFLMAO
U@ss

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » August 26, 2009, 2:22 pm

try clicking on that post's blue writing Skip!