Metal Brake / Sheet Bender

having searched, I'm overwhelmed with options for benders; some using door hinges, others making their own hinges, all of them in imperial measurements, and I'm finding the calculations a bit tough to follow for my metric mind.

So what's the best current design for a home sheet metal bender? Only needs to be about 50cm wide.

One of the best home made ones I've seen was by 'welderpaul' on here,

scroll down a bit for pics......

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3710

yeah, saw the pics, but couldn't really work it out in my head. I can tell it's based on the Gingery plan, but I don't get the point of the rear bolts on the back of the top bow. And while it looks slick, it's making my own hinges that worries me the most, because this'll be one of my first metalworking projects.

I think the bolts on the back adjust for different thicknesses of sheet.

as for the hinges, could you not get a local workshop to make some to your spec?

For bending lighter materials you could try this idea, this one is 800mm wide and was specially made for one job, hence the shallow top beam, the hinges are just solid bar drilled to take a 5/8" bolt, no machining required at all.

I made a very similar one to TIG Paul, I saw pics of his and liked the simple to make hinges especially as I already had the metal lying around so did something very similar indeed!

Grrrmachine said:

having searched, I'm overwhelmed with options for benders; some using door hinges, others making their own hinges, all of them in imperial measurements, and I'm finding the calculations a bit tough to follow for my metric mind.

So what's the best current design for a home sheet metal bender? Only needs to be about 50cm wide.

Click to expand...

Can you post some of your links to Imperial designed benders please??

Chickenjohn said:

Can you post some of your links to Imperial designed benders please??

Click to expand...

What happens if you can only get metric sheet?

graffian said:

What happens if you can only get metric sheet?

Click to expand...

its close enough, or if your that fussed mark it with an imperial tape measure and trim it

If I buy steel plate/sheet, it comes metric. If I get plywood, it comes in metric, BUT they are imperial sizes converted. A result of the machines sold around the world from UK (and US) that were (and are in the US) imperial based. Ply is still 8x 4 and 10x5 ft, just measured in metric.
KF

My other hobby is boats....

More on the subject.. I have made two benders, both 1 mt wide. One from channel, the other from RSJ. Both from three lengths. Two to clamp the sheet, the third to fold. Hinges out of flat bar and 20mm round, with the centre line exactly on the bend line. Door hinges? Only if you are folding paper..
The two I made happily fold 1mm to 90 deg. With a fairly constant edge.
I do a bit of work for a local artist. And she really wants sharp edges. But accepts that there are limits related to thickness.
KF

bigbadbugga said:

One of the best home made ones I've seen was by 'welderpaul' on here,

scroll down a bit for pics......

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3710

Click to expand...

Logged in and can not view thread, regards

graffian said:

What happens if you can only get metric sheet?

Click to expand...

theres an adaptor kit available ,,,,

it only takes 3 feet of 40x40x3mm box to make.