Thread: ebay sheetmetal benders

Has anyone got one of these, what do you think of them

30" bender

18" bender

Heavy shears

Hi Bob,

I don't-own/haven't-seen these items in the flesh, but I have very serious reservations about their usefulness. Unless you have *very* low expectations of the benders I think that the price couldn't be low enough to make them worthwhile. Apart from the lack of proper clamping arrangements, and the apparent (almost certain) lack of bending-radius adjustment, the deflections that would occur when trying to bend anything more than a few inches width of jam-tin-thickness tinplate will make any attempt at accuracy futile. It may be possible to weld a decent piece of steel to the moving angle so that you get a reasonable section-depth. That would allow you to bend material thicker than tinplate, but then the other missing attributes (clamping and bending radius adj.) become more important.

The shears look like a good idea that needs to be better engineered. The arm holding the lower blade will be subject to large bending and torsional forces, and I doubt that the arm itself or its attachment to the main body are up to the task. I think that the suggestion of 3.2mm steel is laughable, and even 2mm would be seriously straining the friendship. I would expect that even with thin material you will finish up with a razor-sharp lip on the underside of the cut. But, if you only want to cut very thin material, and if you keep the cutting inserts sharp, and if ...

Just my opinion, Bob. But if your actual requirements are right down at the bottom end of the claimed capabilities, then they may be useful.

Incidentally, I did a quick Google for the shears. http://www.diytools.com.au/ have them for $59.90. Compare that to the e-bay page that has a Buy-it-now price of $105.00, and the so-called RRP of $279. What a farce!

Roger

Those bending brakes just look too light to do anything other than extremely light material. I think they are taking some liberties suggesting that 17 gauge is remotely possible in any sort of useable width.

So I would say fairly limited usefulness in anything other than very thin materials.

Maybe you can tell us what you are thinking of using them for?

I wouldnt buy any of them.

What do you want to bend Bob?

There was a thread on this BB a few months ago with very complete drawings, photos & instructions on making your own 'bullet proof' heavy duty bender.

The 'things' on that e-bay site look like they'd have a hard time bending a coke can.

Bit sad there are no end user comments yet!

I want to install a swampy so i need to make up distribution box and roof flashings etc.

Originally Posted by echnidna

Bit sad there are no end user comments yet!

I want to install a swampy so i need to make up distribution box and roof flashings etc.

Itd be cheaper just to buy the parts Bob..

Maybe there are no end user..?

they sell regularly so there must be end users.

buyin the bits'd be easier,

but I like to increase the number of tools in the shed

Just picked up the shears on ebay for $30 so they're worth a try.

Pity the folders are all Buy It Now stuff and not auction lines or I'd snavel a cheapy

Bob
If you get some 2" angle iron you should be able to bend up the flashing over it. (Ref pic)

If all else fails you can ask a local sheetmetal shop if they can bend up the bits and pieces for you,

As for the shears I personally like the metal shears rather than the nibbler type that punches out the sheetmetal pieces as it cuts. I dont know how good that particular model shear that is on ebay is but can tell you that both the Makita and Hitachi metal shears are excellent having used both.

Originally Posted by echnidna

Bit sad there are no end user comments yet!

I want to install a swampy so I need to make up distribution box and roof flashings etc.

OK! Its not a flame but a perhaps a explanation of why information has been so slow in coming.

It has applied to many new subscribers, and I included my self in this category.

You may have obtained much more information and a whole lot sooner, had you taken the trouble to tell the members specifically what you wanted to achieve in the first place.
Opinions can be much better given on the basis of considering all of the information available.

By their nature, many people want to help , but soon tire of trying extract information in bits and pieces.

Without some engineering expertise I realise some Ebay purchases are a gamble.
The moral of the story is if you have a query it can nearly always be answered swiftly if you give enough background info on what you need to do.

My opinion is that the tools are inadequate (far too light and non adjustable) for their intended purpose.

Grahame

G'day.
I've had a pair of the shears for 12 months now. They are great. Colourbond sheeting, corragated iron, car body. gal sheeting, no worries. cutting blades are lasting fine.

The 18" bender on the other hand is a piece of krap. nothing more than some 2" angle iron. Severe flex while bending. utterly useless.

Originally Posted by glock40sw

The 18" bender on the other hand is a piece of krap. nothing more than some 2" angle iron. Severe flex while bending. utterly useless.

So there you are Bob a satisfied customer....

Thanks Glock,

now what about the 30" bender?

Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

You may have obtained much more information and a whole lot sooner, had you taken the trouble to tell the members specifically what you wanted to achieve in the first place.
Opinions can be much better given on the basis of considering all of the information available.

By their nature, many people want to help , but soon tire of trying extract information in bits and pieces.

Grahame, I can't be sure, but I think Bob was referring to end user comments of previous purchasers.