Press brake

[Ram48]

I just checked-out the video for the "Press brake kit". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vwacbaOXjU I don't think I would need the rear fence set-up, but the rest is doable. I'll have to think about the 60deg top die. Maybe just a fairly thick piece of flat stock and a radius-ed edge.??

I did not get the back and side stops as my press is fairly close to a wall and I do all one off stuff. I may do it five times but its still one off with four Aw ####s
I think the 60 deg angle is important for gettin in excess of 90 deg of bend to allow for spring back and also to keep the radius of the bend tight as possible. I priced just the steel for a top die and it was $80.00 and thats when I decided to fo with the kit, I also neeeded to buy all the rest of the 1/4 inch steel, round bar and springs which added up to more then The pre fabbed kit cost me.

[dirtyfarmer]

I'm going to scrounge through my brothers scrap metal pile. I'm thinking a piece of round bar stock, around 1/4" or 5/16", welded to the bottom edge of the top die stock and an in between piece also. Then grind some of the edges off. Still thinking.

[Ram48]

I'm going to scrounge through my brothers scrap metal pile. I'm thinking a piece of round bar stock, around 1/4" or 5/16", welded to the bottom edge of the top die stock and an in between piece also. Then grind some of the edges off. Still thinking.

Its worth a shot especially if the material is free.
A friend of mine made one using1/2 or 3/4 square stock with one edge welded to 5/8 flat bar so it formed a 90 deg included angle on the business edge. It worked pretty good for most stuff. Some times it would not yield a 90 deg. bend because of material spring back.

[kenwhite]

Ram48, thanks for the post. I saw that item on his site a while ago and thought about getting one, and now that you have posted some real world experience, I think I will order the HD version.

[Ram48]

Ram48, thanks for the post. I saw that item on his site a while ago and thought about getting one, and now that you have posted some real world experience, I think I will order the HD version.

Ken
Give Troy at Swag off Road a call he will give you all the information you need on both the regulad and HD version. A real good guy to talk with. I got mine without the stops and saved a few dollars. Do you know what SWAG stands for?

[kenwhite]

Ken
Give Troy at Swag off Road a call he will give you all the information you need on both the regulad and HD version. A real good guy to talk with. I got mine without the stops and saved a few dollars. Do you know what SWAG stands for?

Scientific Wild A$$ Guess, or at least that is what we defined it as in the military...

[Ram48]

exactly Right That's how I do most of my fabrication details SWAG

[kenwhite]

exactly Right That's how I do most of my fabrication details SWAG

That is exactly how many engineers do it too since many mathematical models are estimates at best...

[Ram48]

That is exactly how many engineers do it too since many mathematical models are estimates at best...

Damn Ken I wish you didn't tell me that, now I need to find a different way. I worked my entire live in electrical construction and learned to barely tolerate engineers. It should be a requirement for engineers to spend at least a year in the field installing stuff other engineers and architects come up with. Just because it looks good on paper doesn't mean it will work in the field.

[dirtyfarmer]

Don't knock the engineers!! Would you like the Laborers to rule the world! I thought not.

[kenwhite]

Damn Ken I wish you didn't tell me that, now I need to find a different way. I worked my entire live in electrical construction and learned to barely tolerate engineers. It should be a requirement for engineers to spend at least a year in the field installing stuff other engineers and architects come up with. Just because it looks good on paper doesn't mean it will work in the field.

I agree...

[Ram48]

Quote from Dirty farmer Don't knock the engineers!! Would you like the Laborers to rule the world! I thought not.


Being a retired construction electrician. I beg to differ.
If it wasn't for the laborers and construction, and plant workers. all you would have is a stack of prints and drawings

[ScratchStart]

and having spent 2 years in an engineering program.... I have seen some absolute idiots that could pass the tests. there is a difference between an engineer, and an engineer that knows what he is doing... look at a chevy s-10 blazer.... engineer. a land rover... engineer that knows what he is doing...LOL

the more i think about it the more it seems like the more educated you THINK you are, the easier it is to outsmart your common sense

[dirtyfarmer]

I was a laborer (Laborer's Union) for three years before my 34 years with the UAW and we all worked hard for our money. I just meant that I don't want to "rule the world". My son's an Engineer, trying to become an architect. He can if he wants to try.

[Ram48]

I was a laborer (Laborer's Union) for three years before my 34 years with the UAW and we all worked hard for our money. I just meant that I don't want to "rule the world". My son's an Engineer, trying to become an architect. He can if he wants to try.

Tony I was just having some fun.
I was a union (IBEW LU #3) electrician in NYC for 27 years before I tore up my back.
If it wasn't for Engineers and Architects I would have had nothing to build. But I do believe if both spent a year in the field working on real construction projects they would become better at their profession. Good luck to your son in his quest.
Ray