Using Metal Break To Bend Sheet Metal

There are lots of other ways to bend sheet metal especially if it s a smaller piece.

Using metal break to bend sheet metal. A sheet metal brake is a tool used to bend various types of metal. There are many ways to get the job done without having all of the tools. It can easily bend sheet steel or aluminum. Fabrication basics tips on how to bend metal on a brake.

Determine the angle at which you want to brake the metal and mark it on the protractor. To remove irregularity or improve uneven bends place a hardwood piece lengthwise along the bend and hit the bend with increased strength using a heavy duty hammer or mallet. Portable units can be rented at home improvement or hardware stores for about 70 00 per day. Any time a different thickness of sheet metal needs to be formed or when a different radius is required to form the part the operator needs to adjust the sheet metal brake before the brake is used to form the part.

For this example an l channel made from 2024 t3 aluminum alloy that is 0 032 inch thick will be bent. Video tutorial includes cutting the sheetmetal template and bending the pieces on my 24 grizzly box pan b. Creating a 22 gauge sheetmetal box from scratch. Not everything requires a brake.

Cut the section of metal out or otherwise prepare the metal to be bent by removing any burrs or sharp edges. You will use the protractor to gauge the brake as you bend the metal little by little. One way that i often work with sheet metal for automotive panels is to sandwich 2 4 s in a vise with the workpiece in the middle then work the metal with a rubber mallet. They are also used in the heating and cooling industry for forming duct work.

I have never tried this method but if you don t have a metal brake this may work fine. Stacey demonstrates a technique of how to bend a sheet of metal using a vise and 2 4 s.