Buying a used Sheet Metal brake, what to look for.

[oldgoaly]

OK Gang!

This has been my idea to do a series of tool buying guides, lets start with the brake, all types. In this thread everyone is invited to add, then when we get a good bunch of pics and info. We can clean it up and put it in the read only "keeper" threads. Now that I've typed this out heck we need to do a keeper thread "How to to make _____ using the sheet metal brake"

Thing to look for wear in the pivot pins



Is the leaf sprung?



any signs of abused like nicks in the leafs or fingers?



Thanks for helping out, it a group effort! tt

[CARS]

Great idea. Could you (or someone) explain the different types of brakes? Box and Pan, Leaf, Apron, etc. Pics and a brief listing of what their proper uses are maybe??

[red baron]

I know that I could benefit from this, as I know very little about them!

[oldgoaly]

Chris,
this about the best info on brake out there http://www.sterlingmachinery.com/db-...20brochure.pdf if that don't answer your question, I'll try to. There are bar folders and sign makers/ letter brakes that are sometimes called sheet metal brakes.

[CARS]

Originally Posted by oldgoaly

Chris,
this about the best info on brake out there http://www.sterlingmachinery.com/db-...20brochure.pdf if that don't answer your question, I'll try to. There are bar folders and sign makers/ letter brakes that are sometimes called sheet metal brakes.

that does answer many questions Terry, but I think it should be added to your idea of a "sticky". If you're going to tackle this, you may as well give ALL the information on brakes that you can. I assume a press brake is hydraulically powered?? See, I don't know.

[whateg01]

Originally Posted by CARS

...I assume a press brake is hydraulically powered?? ...

They can be. Don't have to be, though. You can buy a "press brake" from Harbor Freight that fits in the jaws of your bench vise.

The difference in an apron/leaf brake and a press brake is that a press brake forces the middle of the bend "down" between two straddling surfaces, thus bending the material. An apron/leaf brake, on the other hand, folds part of the metal around the clamping bar.

Many press brakes are mechanical. In fact, while searching for the Sterling link earlier today, I ran across a 750T mechanical press brake. It uses an eccentric and a bunch of reduction to turn the rotational force of a motor of some sort into linear motion of the upper die.

Dave

[oldgoaly]

Chris, press brake can be air or hydraulic, or even a combination of the two. Well let's do the sheet metal hand brakes, then maybe we can do presses, then include press brakes? Like working sheet metal there are more than one way to do it and there is no wrong way. tt

[CARS]

See, A discussion has begun.

I use (and have only ever used) a box/pan brake. I want to see all the varieties available. I noticed on the Chicago link Terry posted, one of their "pitches" was that their "Universal Brake" did "90%" manual sheet metal bending.

I've actually never seen a machine like that in person. So, what is the other 10% that it can't do???

[wallace]

Hi, I just joined this site and wanted to say very excited to have found this forum. I am going to look at a used box/pan brake and a stomp shear. Both are 48" capacity and the owner thinks they are 16 ga capacity. The shear is a Pexto he did not recall the brake manufacturer. From the pictures he provided both units have been outdoors and have some rust on them. Is the rust a problem? Anything I need to look for as far as wear or obvious signs the equipment is used up or in disrepair would be great. I saw on the brake to look for wear in the pivots and check the leaf for bowing. Any information would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time.

[oldgoaly]

Welcome Wallace!

Rust on the table easily cleaned off, but rust on the shear blade tends to dull them, If it was mine I'd take the blades off, note the position and if the should be any shims. Clean them carefully with a rust remover, rinse and coat with oil. Now check all the edges, they are usually made to be reversed for a new cutting edge. Reinstall then we will need to find you the gap settings so it will cut right. Don't forget to lube every pivot point and blade holder slides. don't need to make it any harder. Looks like we need to start a shear thread! tt