Sheet metal brake
Good thinking Charlie, Dont know why I didnt think about it...Here is only pic I have saved of the Fab process for the brake I will get you guys some pics of it in morning of what it looks like completed and in action....I wanted to build it very strong and wide so i used 1/4 angle iron and hinged 2 pieces togeather with several heavy duty hinges and welded them togeather. for the top of the brake i just welded some 3/16 flat stock only reason i used that was because the angle iron didnt have sharp enough edges/corners to give a nice clean crisp bend like i want. And how it actually works is pretty simple drilled hole on each end and took a 3rd piece of 1/4 angle and clamp sheet metal or work piece to top of brake with couple large bolts one on each end..It can be a pain though setting it up as far as clamping the peice in but for how often i will use it, it isn't too bad at all..I have about 35-40.00 invested in it with some scrap steel i had laying around my shop and it works just as good as the 1500.00 brake we use at our shop at work...So spending the extra 2-3 mins to get it set up and clamp the sheet metal down tight is well worth it to me then a high doller fancy one.. I used to just use coulple small pieces of angle in a bench vise for small work but this 5 ft one allows me to bend bigger sheets not to mention I bended some 12ga steel on it and worked with ease so i know it will tackle anything between 16-22 ga very easily... Sorry this isn't the best pic of it, in this pic i didnt have the two arms/handles welded on yet and i didnt have the legs finished yet...Oh speaking of legs i used 2/3 1/4inch box tubeing for legs and feet of it which will allow me to bolt to floor..you dont have to use the box tubeing but i had it extra laying around and it was some thick 1/4 steel so i knew would be plenty strong. Again I will post some better pics Tommorow of it and bend a piece of steel so I can show you guys how crisp it bends..also i can bend anywhere from 0-140 degrees but most of any bends i make useually range from 0-90 degrees