Posted by TK Corporate | Posted in Tools | Posted on 06-07-2010
The sheet metal brake is one of the most common metalworking tools used by hobbyists and small businesses alike. It allows the user to bend steel and other metals along straight lines, and to angles ranging from very shallow to over 90 degrees. The uses of a tool like this are obvious if you regularly work with sheet metal. It can be used to make trays, racks, shelves, custom profiles for roofing and many other things. A very usable tool.
If you are wondering how to use one of these machines, I can tell you that it is very easy. You simply insert a piece of sheet metal in between the “jaws” of it (they are called the clamping leaf and the bed repectively), clamp the piece down with the pull of a lever, and bend the metal by pulling up on a steel bar in front of this jaw. It is exactly the process as you would do it if you were to try and bend sheet metal using a vice and a two-by-four, except that this is a much better sheet metal folder. You get the right results every time – and in no time. A thing to be aware of is that the smaller sheet metal benders will not be able to bend large pieces of sheet metal or heavy gauges. For that you need a larger model with a wide bed and heavy bending bar with counterweights attached. Otherwise you could end up having to use too much physical force – more than would be healthy in the long run (yes, you could injure yourself!).
How do you get your hands on a sheet metal bending brake then? You can buy them from new in most tool stores these days. A good one does not have to cost more than a few hundred dollars, and if you like, a used sheet metal brake can be an even better investment, since they are basically simple and solid machines that last for many years.