HF Sheet Metal Brake

Sheet Metal Fabrication techniques, questions and help. "Tricks of the Trade"

Moderators: GlennW, Harold_V

Post Reply
deltaenterprizes
Posts: 42
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:16 pm
Location: longvew,tx

HF Sheet Metal Brake

Post by deltaenterprizes »

I bought a HF sheet metal brake and I am making fingers to make a more versatile.
I bought some 3”d1/2” flat bar at the scrap yard and would like to know what sizes would be best to make the fingers.
The total width is 30”, I have made 1,2,3,4,5,6,12 & 14 inch pieces so far.
The fingers will be held with “C” clamps like the pice that comes with the brake.
J.Ramsey
Posts: 147
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:19 pm
Location: S/E Kansas

Re: HF Sheet Metal Brake

Post by J.Ramsey »

Make them in sizes that you think you will need.
My 4ft.Tennsmith has five 2",six-3" and five-4''
User avatar
BadDog
Posts: 5131
Joined: Wed May 17, 2006 8:21 pm
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Re: HF Sheet Metal Brake

Post by BadDog »

I would say make them in stacking cumulative sizes kinda like very coarse gage blocks.

1", 2", 4, 8, etc.

That allows all widths from 1 to 15 by increments of 1" with no redundancy. Wouldn't be as rigid/strong, but maybe throw in a 1/2" if desired for very light work that doesn't work out to integral inches.
Russ
Master Floor Sweeper
User avatar
SteveHGraham
Posts: 7788
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:55 pm
Location: Florida

Re: HF Sheet Metal Brake

Post by SteveHGraham »

If the widths are all integral multiples of one inch, it will be impossible to make things like a 4.5"-wide box.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
J.Ramsey
Posts: 147
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:19 pm
Location: S/E Kansas

Re: HF Sheet Metal Brake

Post by J.Ramsey »

A 4" finger will make a 4-1/2" wide box just fine, I you are that worried use two 2 inchers spaced apart .
Besides you cannot make a 4-1/2" box with a 4-1/2" finger it will be oversize by the material thickness.
User avatar
SteveHGraham
Posts: 7788
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:55 pm
Location: Florida

Re: HF Sheet Metal Brake

Post by SteveHGraham »

You are going to be better off with pressure on every part of the crease.

I think we all knew that material has thickness, and I didn't say "4.5" outside width."
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
J.Ramsey
Posts: 147
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:19 pm
Location: S/E Kansas

Re: HF Sheet Metal Brake

Post by J.Ramsey »

SteveHGraham wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2019 9:11 am You are going to be better off with pressure on every part of the crease.
Well,I guess I've been doing it all wrong for the last 45 years thanks for pointing that out.
Attachments
Tennsmith.jpg
RoperWhitney.jpg
Pexto (Small).jpg
beadrollers.JPG
beverly ss3.jpg
User avatar
SteveHGraham
Posts: 7788
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:55 pm
Location: Florida

Re: HF Sheet Metal Brake

Post by SteveHGraham »

Always nice to wake up to a polite and patient response.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
b4autodark
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:06 am

Re: HF Sheet Metal Brake

Post by b4autodark »

Nice clean shop with a nice layout of equipment Mr. Ramsey!
Post Reply