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Fancy Bendy Machine

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by PieLut, Oct 10, 2011.

  1. Oct 10, 2011
    PieLut

    PieLut Member

    Glendale, Arizona
    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2010
    Messages:
    464
    I decided to make a sheet metal brake. Long gone are the days of using a vice and hammer to contort pieces of steel into Jeep parts. Now keep in mind that for $200 and change you can buy a Harbor Freight bendy machine. I on the other hand, did not want to purchase anything and I had all the steel in my shop. I would estimate that the cost of the steel for this build would be in the $50-75 range, maybe cheaper if you have some steel already or bought remnants from the steel yard. The main parts are two pieces of channel iron, each 30" long. If you where to make this contraption, you can make it however long you desire. Next you have two pieces of angle iron also 30" long. I made a simple hinge from 1/2" thick by 2" wide plate. The round part of the hinge is 3/4" diameter solid steel. This design allows the user to mount it to a table or clamp it in a vice like I have. With the 30" design I could bend a piece that is 27" maximum width. It's heavy but you want it to be that way and the results were very good. I was able to produce some nice bends with a smooth and uniform radius :)

    I bent a piece of 1.250" round tubing for a handle...you could make it out of anything really.
    [​IMG]

    Hinge closeup
    [​IMG]

    I added the adjustment bolts on each end to help keep the clamping bar even.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Picture with brake at 90 degree position
    [​IMG]

    Backside
    [​IMG]

    I made the holes for the clamping bar elongated to allow for different material thickness when bending
    [​IMG]

    Bottom side of the elongated holes. I used 7/16" bolts and trapped the nuts with small plates on each side. This allows for movement forward and back and the ability to tighten the clamping bar
    [​IMG]

    First part to be bent.
    [​IMG]

    Results.
    [​IMG]

    And a custom T-handle completes the bendy machine.
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Oct 10, 2011
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    Nice. Looks good.
     
  3. Oct 10, 2011
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,466
    Looks nice - I want to build one some day as well (still using clamped angle on a steel bench with hammer and dolly). Do you have some pics of the side as that looks very much like what I want to make.

    I got McRuff's plans for the heavy stuff on the press - hope to have both made for next year when I start building boxes and such from AL for the jeeps.
     
  4. Oct 10, 2011
    PieLut

    PieLut Member

    Glendale, Arizona
    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2010
    Messages:
    464
    Chuck, what detail are you looking for. I can take as many pics as you need and or dimensions.

    Press brake is really nice for thick plate. I need one of those too.
     
  5. Oct 10, 2011
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,466
    Mostly the side and how you put the bed on with the angle for the (I am assuming here) back plane. Dimensions for the adjustments and such would be real nice too.

    I will probably put it in a CAD package or Google Draw to build it as I am just not that sure of brakes and thier designs. I spent all my time in Welding in and not 'shop' in HS :)
     
  6. Oct 10, 2011
    Farmer Mike

    Farmer Mike Member

    Butte City, Ca
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    Messages:
    121
    Your TIG...is it water cooled?
     
  7. Oct 11, 2011
    PieLut

    PieLut Member

    Glendale, Arizona
    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2010
    Messages:
    464
    Yes Sir, It is a Miller Syncrowave 250 with Benard water cooler.
     
  8. Oct 11, 2011
    Farmer Mike

    Farmer Mike Member

    Butte City, Ca
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    Messages:
    121
    Ya thats a little newer than the one I have. I have thought about updating but it still works fine. Although I could probably afford it just selling the copper out if it. I hate rolling it around in the shop.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Oct 11, 2011
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,466
    Stop it :) After building my first gas tank with my TIG, I found a 'need' for a water cooled torch... Just can't 'justify' it yet ;)
     
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