Thread: Question on Metal Bending

Hi I'm new to working with metal and have to bend .02 in thick metal to 80 degrees. I want to know what would be the best way to go about doing it and what tools would be needed. I need a easy method that I could do consistently with many pieces. Thanks for the help in advance!

How wide is the metal? 0.02" is fairly light gauge so a few options to get the tight form from hand benders to presses but will depend on width and grade of material

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Hi
The width will be around 8-9 inches and as for the grade I'm not completely sure yet, but I am planing on using copper, brass, aluminum, and stainless steel.

Depending on the sharpness of the corner you are after, a simple hand fold or pan brake with an adjustable stop should be adequate. What quantity

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I'm not looking for a sharp bend a curved one is fine but the quantity would be 1000+ so I wanted a very easy method that is consistent and leaves the rest of the metal unscathed. While looking into it I read about bottom bending but couldn't figure out if that was a good method and if so what supplies I would need. I don't think hand folding would be the best option at the quantity I need, but I don't know if pan folding would be a better option than things like bottom bending. Thanks!

Do you have a budget in mind

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I would like to stick as low as possible but I know that I will be needing to do this for many pieces over a long span of time so I wanted to see the different options and prices to decided what is best for me. I would hope to stay under $300 but I will go up if it would make the process a lot faster and easier. Thanks!

Hydraulic press will be best option in the long run but talking a few thousand for something along those lines. Maybe start with a manual unit and incorporate an automation function either hydraulic or pneumatic to speed things up.

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0.020" (0.5mm for those watching in colour ) metal, 8" or 9" (200-225mm) wide? I would have thought an arbor press would handle that and be much quicker than hydraulic.

I have never used a pnuematic/hydraulic jack, but my brother bought a long ram type, found it was as slow as a wet weekend and took it back to swap for a manual version. I don't know if this is typical.

I would play with some steel plate and a welder to come up with a press die that provides the right angles. Cover the die surfaces with HDPE or such, once the design is worked out.

Dean

I'd agree. An arbor or fly press would be the go over hydraulic.

Michael

Would something like this not work ?
S249 | PB-24 Manual Panbrake | For Sale Sydney Brisbane Melbourne Perth | Buy Workshop Equipment & Machinery online at machineryhouse.com.au
if you wanting to do 1000 pieces just set up stops to locate the material and stop the bend at the right angle (make it adjustable so you can adjust for spring back)

As MasterSpoon has suggested for the budget you've allowed, that would be the cheapest option, it would allow you to do 3 X 8" or 2 X 9" units at a time.
For an extra $600, you could have this one, which will alloy you to bend 6 X 8" or 5 X 9" units at a time, which will be a lot quicker again.
http://images.machineryhouse.com.au/...0/700/Main.jpg

With a bit of work you could modify it with an air cylinder, so that you don't have to pull the handle., just using a foot valve.
Kryn

Um, he is not in Oz land. Be the other HF store in his country.

DD

Thanks DD, didn't see he's in the USA . The thought was there of a similar item that could be purchased over there, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Kryn