mini sheet metal folder

[graffian]

I have made several over the years. I nearly always chop them up to use the metal for something else. If your after material for the clamping beam and bending leaf[thats what I call them] go into a scrap yard and persuade them to let you slice a big rsg up, well thats what I will do next time.

The last bender I made was nearly all bolted together, so it can easily be altered, and was made out of odd bits of scrap. It will bend 3mm 1 m wide, but you have to open the radius up, I folded up cross members for a range rover on it. I will probably make another to do 60 inches some time, I have never seen a proper one, I woudl liek to know how the fingers are held in place on a box pan folder? I really need to add bracing, but at the moment it has a work top fitted to it so the space isn't wasted. I have nicked the handles to use the tube for something else, I use a pair of mole wrenches as handles now;-)

You can get around the need for large clamping/folding beams by going the route the aussie people who make the magnetic clamping folder did.

 

[hotrodder]

Several different methods of retaining the fingers (and a couple of styles for the fingers themselves) on a box and pan brake. One method is a slotted clamping beam that the fingers slot into and are retained with set screws- fingers are simple steel plate with the hold down end machined to a suitable angle. Lightish duty only though as when the folder is being pushed to it's limits you can watch the fingers flex!

The other way is harder to explain but a quick google found this vid that shows plenty of detail

Another vid showing a third way of attaching the fingers (very light duty). Lots of faffing around but watch till the end. Probably best to avoid the authors work practices though- scribing bend lines and barefoot metal working

 

[Pete.]

Nice little one for sale here on page 2 - and a nice linisher too.

http://www.west-point.co.uk/zip files/Westpoint Summer 08.pdf

 

[wyn]

Nice link to that "toy shop", Pete.

 

[dannyweld]

yeah, nice one, will have to go and have a wander there some time, machines look well looked after.

 

[pickupminimad]

I've just finished making a folder too, used the plans from the miller project pages and adapted to what i needed. I have all the details and drawings here if someone wants them.

Has a capacity of 610mm, so far have bent a 600mm wide bit of 1mm mild steel and a 10x3mm flat bar without any struggle on my part or folder but need more metal to bend about and see what it can do. I've still got to reinforce a few parts but it works quite well so far!

 

[darren.a.roberts]

Welderpaul,

What kind of clearance do you have between the folding bar abd the rest of the folder prior to lifting the folding bar ?

cheers

Darren

 

[Welderpaul]

Welderpaul,

What kind of clearance do you have between the folding bar abd the rest of the folder prior to lifting the folding bar ?

cheers

Darren

Just a shade over the thickness of the sheet I am bending.

Tried it on 3mm thick x 450 wide the other week for an emergency job. Bent the angles

 

[Welderpaul]

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I found this under the bench the other day. Seing as we have a 100t press brake, i might as well sell it if there are any takers. Will put it in the for sale section later See if i can straighten the top angle

 

[weldingscotty803]

how much you wanting for it paul???? pm if you wish

 

[Cris B]

I had a good search on the forum for recommendations for a sheet metal folder and much as I appreciate the engineering that went into making the folder Paul designed, I just don't have the time to put something like that together at the moment.

Having looked at the offerings from the likes of Sealey etc and not being too impressed, I found this from Frost up in Rochdale. Thought I'd post up here in case it's useful as a reference point to anyone else looking at sheet metal folders in future.

 

[reno]

Cris, Have you brought that one? If so what do you think of it?

I saw one of those folders at the classic car show last November but thought it was a bit lightweight. I ended up getting one from another stall at the show but can't think of their name off hand. It wasn't much more than Frost's wanted and is a damn sight stronger than the machine mart/sealey one. If your still on the look out for one let me know and I'll get a pic of it and dig out their name.

Cheers, reno

 

[Shox Dr]

If you can find a Gabro Box and Pan folder, grab it with both hands. They are available in 600 and 1000mm versions. I have the 600mm and it the best little B&P folder I've used.

Can be found on you know where, for around 200-400quid


Here's a description of what it will do

 

[eil]

I bought a similar one fron MM ages ago (last century) and it said in the cataloge that it could bend 22mm (and it still does say that in the printed cataloge, not on line though) I took that to mean 2mm at the time, and duly tried to bend 2mm with it and bent it,the bender I mean not the sheet. It obviously means that its capacity is 22Ga so in reality over its limit for bending 1mm sheet across the full width. just keep an eye on the deflection that occurs on the clamp down angle arrangement or you will ****** it up in no time.

 

[Cris B]

Yes I've bought the Frost one above. It worked out cheapest for me as my missus was heading up to Leeds and was able to nip off at J21 and the staff at Frost even put it in the car for her as she had her hands full with the baby They're £60.

It's folded 1.6mm sheet without effort so far which is as much as I will be asking it to do and as much as I like the look of the more professional folders I don't need nor do I have the space for anything bigger.