Press brake for modified HF shop press

[Scooter]

I found lots pictures on line of different style press brakes so I thought I would make one too. The dies are 15" wide, the bottom is made from 1/2" plate with three pieces of 2x2x1/4" angle for the bottom die, the top plate is 3/4" X 4" flat bar that I ground a 60 degree angle on. I also added support under the base plate.
Attachment 1922Attachment 1921Attachment 1920Attachment 1919

[Scooter]

Here are some pictures of the brake sitting on the press

Attachment 1923Attachment 1924Attachment 1925Attachment 1926

[Scooter]

The first time I used the brake I decided it needed a small outlet table with a movable guide to keep the bends square, so this is what I came up with.
Scooter

Attachment 1928Attachment 1927Attachment 1929

[geezer]

Scooter, I have been thinking of that guide strip to keep it at 90 degrees, make a mark on it and then you could use it to reference your bend point, say the bend is like at 3 inches on the metal and the mark is 2 more inches, so all 3 inch bends get marked at 5 inches, you wouldn't need a back stop that way. An idea anyhow.

[everlastsupport]

Scooter.

Did you plasma cut then grind, or all grinding on the 3/4" top plate ? What made you go with 60 degrees? Read somewhere 80 is the magic number for 90 bend. Where you going for more than 90? HF has a 20 ton on sale for $169 again and it keeps getting my eye. Though I have some "I" beams I can cut up and the jack is like $50..

[Scooter]

Mike, I did not have the plasma cutter when I did this, I put a new disc on the 9" Milwaukee grinder, laid it flat at the angle I needed and just kept going back and forth, then finished it off with a big file. I used 60 degrees because thats what most people were using when I read about press breaks. I bent some 1/4" and it will bend a little more than 90 degrees, I was not sure how much the work piece would spring back if any? I plan on getting a 20 ton air over hyd jack for it someday. I probably should have just built the press after everything I did to it?

[Scooter]

Scooter, I have been thinking of that guide strip to keep it at 90 degrees, make a mark on it and then you could use it to reference your bend point, say the bend is like at 3 inches on the metal and the mark is 2 more inches, so all 3 inch bends get marked at 5 inches, you wouldn't need a back stop that way. An idea anyhow.

Geezer, good idea, mind if I borrow it?

[Scooter]

Thanks Ken, I have only bent one piece so far and then I added the outlet table and have not used it since? I have been building stuff for the last couple of weeks that I sketched up over the winter. Most of it has just been upgrading my tools. The next project is a set of equipment style ramps for the trailer.

[geezer]

Very nice work Scooter, I like your use of plug welds, that's something I use quite a bit myself. question,,,where did you get those nice springs. I haven't done much on my own build, been too busy on other things, I stole /borrowed some idea's from Ram48 and I can see some idea's on your build that I would like to use.
Like the guide to keep the bend square, that's a smart feature.

[Scooter]

Thanks Geezer, I got the springs at Tractor Supply they have all different sizes and they are normally on the end of an isle back by the chain and cable area.

[DavidShearer]

Very creative idea for the bottom die. I'm impressed! What has been the maximum tonnage it's been put under, and how is it holding up? I guess my concern is what happens if the welds fail at high pressure and the work piece or pieces of the die escapes at high velocity. Just wondering.

FYI: Two more sources for all things "springy" McMaster Carr at http://www.mcmaster.com/, and Reid Supply at http://www.reidsupply.com/

[geezer]

Thanks David for the info, as far as a velocity concern on failure, I don't see that as much of an issue, failure would most likely involve some creaking, bending and a possible bang, but no serious movement, similar to concrete cylinder breaking or elongation testing for bolts or wire, a bang and some movement but no flying debris.

[Scooter]

David, like Geezer said I don't think there is much of a chance of the brake coming apart, I would never try to bend any type of hardened steel so the work piece won't be a problem either. With only a 20 ton jack the worst thing that will happen is the jack will run out of force and stop.