Press brake

[Ram48]

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

[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.

[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.

[Ram48]

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.

[SeanMurphy265]

I have looked at that kit several times, seems like a nice kit.

[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

[Wookie]

what degree angle is the plate cut at ?

[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

[SeanMurphy265]

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.

[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.

[dirtyfarmer]

Seeing your idea gives me a reason to pick-up that HF 20ton press, the next time it's offered on sale.

[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

[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.

[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.

[Ram48]

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.

[Ram48]

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.

[dirtyfarmer]

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.

[dirtyfarmer]

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.

[Ram48]

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

[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.??