Home built folder

JimM · Mar 8, 2008

I'm thinking about having a go at making a folder to help with forming car bodywork. I know the consensus is that these should be as beefy as possible but I've got some 50 x 50 x 3 angle iron knocking around and was hoping that I could get away with using this. Will I be wasting my time or will it cope with 1mm-ish sheet ?

Cheers

Jim

Wozzaaah · Mar 9, 2008

3mm will be a little too flexy Jim, look at welderpaul's folder in the tooling section and see how beefy it is, Ideally you'd want 5 or 6mm for something like that. I bought an 800mm length of 60x60x6 angle yesterday and it only cost me £4.63 + vat

. A full 6m length is only about £25 +vat.

snowcat · Mar 9, 2008

they have to be strong this was my take on it paul has another the hinged part was some 3/8mm angle with the hi flow cutter flashed over it for true most of the rest was made from 1" again flashed over to true.........as wozz says thin material will simply bend.

JimM · Mar 9, 2008

Thanks guys, thought 3mm might be pushing it but was hoping to avoid having to go out and get some steel. Just checked the suppliers thread and there's a company in Croydon that may be able to help, so not as bad a trip as I was expecting

Cheers

Jim

shenion · Mar 10, 2008

I made one out of 1.5 x 1/8" steel (38x3.1mm). I added a second 1.25x1/8" piece to the back. It still flexes on 1mm steel. Works ok but is a bear to start the bend.

If I build another one it will be probably 1/2" flat stock with a stiffener behind it. Flat stock would have sqiare corners, angle stock is rounded..

JimM · Mar 10, 2008

Hi guys

Looking at the pics of the various folders, I just want to check that the design I had in mind was correct as there appears to be various methods.

In the diagram the sheet is clamped between the top plate and angle B, angle A is then swung up to make the fold.

Is this the best way to go or is there a better method.

Thanks

Jim

snowcat · Mar 10, 2008

That to my mind will work fine, however Id V the top plate to about 20 degrees if posible as with 90 bends you need to over bend to allow for springback..

English Steve · Mar 11, 2008

Yep, as Snowcat said. Also, the distance from the front edge of the top plate to the centre of the pivot will control the radius of the finished bend. If you need a tight bend rad, the distance should be one material thickness. The other way to alter the rad is to raise or lower angle A in your diagram.

Steve

bigdavesproule · Mar 11, 2008

ive just made a workbench with a folder on one end, made using 50 x 50 heavy box with 50x50 x 4 angle iron welded on to give a square corner, the other side is 50x50x4 angle welded on the frame of the bench, my clamp is 50x25 channel section, clamped using 2 m12 bolts and wingnuts, i have spring to ensure the clamp raises itself when loosened, i have managed to fold 6mm steel with it no problem. i will post pictures later.

Philipl · Mar 5, 2010

Only two years late for this posting, but good plans in:

How to make a folding machine for sheet metal work
by Rob Hitchings

Copies for sale at http://www.alibris.co.uk/search/books/isbn/9780903031769

This is for a box folder, rather than just a simply straight folder.

Philip

Philipl · Mar 5, 2010

Only two years late for this posting, but good plans in:

How to make a folding machine for sheet metal work
by Rob Hitchings

Copies for sale at http://developmentbookshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=445

This is for a box folder, rather than just a simple straight folder.

There were a series of books written for the developing world ('Intermediate Technology') and this was one of them. Very good project - intend to make one soon myself.

Philip

Home built folder

JimM

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Wozzaaah

The wizard of woz

snowcat

back in black

JimM

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shenion

Tool Pack Rat

JimM

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snowcat

back in black

English Steve

Senior Bumpkin

bigdavesproule

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Philipl

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Philipl

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