Press brake

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03-08-2011, 06:00 PM
Ram48

6 Attachment(s)

Press brake

It is the SWAG off road kit. I have to modify it for my press by extending the tabs you see on the front and re welding the clamping ears. (it seems to work fine without them so we will see if I need to do that) the HF 20 ton has 4 inch side beams and my Arcan has 7 inch wide rails and is rated for 30 ton even though it had a 20 ton jack, I added the 20 ton Air over Hydraulic you see in the picture.
Please give me feedback on the welds as I'm still learning
I mig 200
1/4 mild steel
175 amps
22 volts
0.35 solid wire
75 / 25 mix
The test bends were on 3/16 mild steel and there was no resistance at all. I like this tool.
Ray
03-08-2011, 06:08 PM
ScratchStart

Looks like it makes a good bend. Your welds should b fine for this project, dosen't look to me like the welds are really under any stress, they more or less just hold things straight and allow the spring to return the wedge. I'm no expert welder either, but looks like you may have been a little cold/ moving too fast. the first thing I always do before I weld is get comfortable, make a dry pass with your welder down the weld and pay attention to your angle/stick out. If you are comfortable for the length of the weld, burn it in.

I'll b interested to see how you like the little press brake, been thinking about getting one myself.
03-08-2011, 06:18 PM
geezer

looks good, I have the same thing in mind as I recently picked up a 20 ton air over hydraulic to add to my cheap little press, I will steal a few ideas from your build if you don't mind.
03-08-2011, 06:22 PM
Ram48

Quote:

Originally Posted by geezer

looks good, I have the same thing in mind as I recently picked up a 20 ton air over hydraulic to add to my cheap little press, I will steal a few ideas from your build if you don't mind.

Be my guest Geezer.
03-08-2011, 09:41 PM
SeanMurphy265

I have looked at that kit several times, seems like a nice kit.
03-09-2011, 12:39 AM
Ram48

Sean
I decided to get that kit when I priced out the steel to make one from scratch, it came to more then the kit and a lot of what was already done is cleaner then I could do in my shop. I am not bad but no match for cnc bending and laser cnc cutting. I have only made three test bends but it is solid and precise even whit my Noob welds holding it together
03-19-2011, 09:32 PM
Wookie

what degree angle is the plate cut at ?
03-20-2011, 01:06 PM
Ram48

I am guessing you mean the top die that does the bending. It is cut at a 60 Deg. included angle with about a .100 flat at the tip
03-24-2011, 11:45 PM
SeanMurphy265

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram48

Sean
I decided to get that kit when I priced out the steel to make one from scratch, it came to more then the kit and a lot of what was already done is cleaner then I could do in my shop. I am not bad but no match for cnc bending and laser cnc cutting. I have only made three test bends but it is solid and precise even whit my Noob welds holding it together

The price of the steel has been what is holding me back. I was curious of the cost of the kit versus buying the steel. I really do not have a need for it, but would like to have it. I would like to have something that would bend 1/8 - 12 gauge sheet metal around 4' long.
03-24-2011, 11:54 PM
Ram48

Sean.

Bending 1/8 x 48 inches long steel will take a lot of pressure, Im not sure a 30 ton manual press will do that. And the inside width of a 30 ton is only 29 inches or so.
03-25-2011, 01:36 AM
dirtyfarmer

Seeing your idea gives me a reason to pick-up that HF 20ton press, the next time it's offered on sale.
03-25-2011, 11:50 AM
Ram48

Tony
I was at HF yesterday to get a trin router that I want to turn into a tungston sharpener for my tig welder and they put a flier in the bag
The 20 ton press is on sale for $169.99 with a super coupon, you cant use the 20% coupon with that anymore but it is still a great price.
The coupon is good until 4/4/11
03-26-2011, 01:39 AM
dirtyfarmer

I think that all HF stores do not have the same special sales going on in all areas at the same time. I've been watching the fliers and don't see it. It was on special about a month or so ago. I can wait until it comes up again near me.
03-26-2011, 01:56 AM
SeanMurphy265

I've been looking playing around with some designs using a press idea, but not actually a shop press. 1/8 is about the largest I work with, I mostly use 12 gauge, I have a brake that is rated for 12 gauge, but it was over-rated. A brake is just out of my price range, plus I have no way to handle something that heavy.
03-26-2011, 02:01 AM
Ram48

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtyfarmer

I think that all HF stores do not have the same special sales going on in all areas at the same time. I've been watching the fliers and don't see it. It was on special about a month or so ago. I can wait until it comes up again near me.

Tony
It is a super coupon. If you like just PM me your address and I wil mail it to you it is good for a while.
till mid april I think.
03-26-2011, 02:04 AM
Ram48

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanMurphy265

I've been looking playing around with some designs using a press idea, but not actually a shop press. 1/8 is about the largest I work with, I mostly use 12 gauge, I have a brake that is rated for 12 gauge, but it was over-rated. A brake is just out of my price range, plus I have no way to handle something that heavy.

I know what you mean about over rating brakes. My 48 inch box and pan brake is rated to 16 Ga and it wil bend 16 Ga but only to a 24 inch width not the complete 48.
03-26-2011, 01:29 PM
dirtyfarmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram48

Tony
It is a super coupon. If you like just PM me your address and I wil mail it to you it is good for a while.
till mid april I think.

Thanks for the offer, but I just realized something. The current price for their 20ton press is $199.99. If I use a 20% off super coupon, I can get it for $160. I still think I saw it for $149 back in February.
03-26-2011, 08:34 PM
dirtyfarmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram48

Tony
It is a super coupon. If you like just PM me your address and I wil mail it to you it is good for a while.
till mid april I think.

I just came back inside after putting together and testing my new HF 20ton press. I knew that I saw it for $149 and after looking thru my latest fliers, found a super coupon, good thru 4/24/11 for that press at $149. It is really well made for the money. Now I need to see what I might have around to make that brake kit.
03-26-2011, 10:50 PM
Ram48

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtyfarmer

I just came back inside after putting together and testing my new HF 20ton press. I knew that I saw it for $149 and after looking thru my latest fliers, found a super coupon, good thru 4/24/11 for that press at $149. It is really well made for the money. Now I need to see what I might have around to make that brake kit.

Thats great Tony
You will love having the press in the shop, and adding a press break to it will add to its versatility. If you have any questions on the press brake just ask and leep me posted on the build.
Ray
03-27-2011, 01:16 AM
dirtyfarmer

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.??
03-27-2011, 12:57 PM
Ram48

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtyfarmer

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.
03-27-2011, 02:02 PM
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.
03-27-2011, 02:32 PM
Ram48

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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.
03-27-2011, 03:05 PM
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.

:)
03-27-2011, 04:53 PM
Ram48

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

:)

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?
03-27-2011, 06:52 PM
kenwhite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram48

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...

:)
03-27-2011, 07:16 PM
Ram48

exactly Right That's how I do most of my fabrication details SWAG :O
03-27-2011, 11:47 PM
kenwhite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram48

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

That is exactly how many engineers do it too since many mathematical models are estimates at best...
03-28-2011, 01:00 AM
Ram48

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenwhite

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.
03-28-2011, 01:25 AM
dirtyfarmer

Don't knock the engineers!! Would you like the Laborers to rule the world! I thought not.
03-28-2011, 10:48 AM
kenwhite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram48

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... :O

;)
03-28-2011, 11:15 AM
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 ;)
03-28-2011, 01:09 PM
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
03-28-2011, 01:16 PM
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.
03-28-2011, 02:55 PM
Ram48

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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