I mounted mine to a piece of 2x6. Then installed a handle on the end. Now I hang it on the wall for storage. I used a lag bolt on the wall. I could have just bored a 1" hole in the board too. When I need it I just take from the wall and clamp it to my workbench.
I think I would have just used springs to lift the bending bar up instead of the wing nuts!! Of course too another thing to use to "tighten" the thing is use the quick release cams off a couple of bicycle seats to lock it down too!! No I am NOT an engineer.....but I have seen these cams used in other applications and think that is a better method then what you have here, BUT I do like the way you added the stress control for the center like you have, makes it far better than some of the ideas I have seen!!
instead of the lower wing nuts I would use a length of medium tension spring to push the upper angle iron up then you just have to use the upper wing nuts to tighten it down. Saves a little of time now that you do not have to constantly use thelower nuts
I looked around my shop and do not have a push style spring. Next time I get to the hardware store I will purchase a spring and try it out. Thanks for the comment.
I like what you've done, but I think I would have gone with heavier duty bolts for the clamping. I don't see how you can get a lot of clampdown force with thumb screws. But cool mod!
With your modifications, I noticed you were able to successfully bend a 4" wide piece of cardboard. Do you think with a thicker piece of angle on top you might be able to go up to a width of 7 inches of cardboard? Not corrugated of course, don't want to get unrealistic.
I was hoping that the bend brake was going to work with the thickness of cardboard when filming...Personally thought I was maxing out its capabilities...Since this video I installed spring to lift the bend bar for more ease of use. This unit is good for small gauge metal. I find that bending anything over 22/20 gauge is not safe without possibly breaking the machine. Nonetheless, thanks for the comment. I will now go try to bend a 7" piece of cardboard and make new modification to the brake if required. Thanks....
congrats! its good but is kind of complicated because of its multiple mechanics involved in its manufacturing process, performance, productivity and future maintenance intervals maybe you could came out with a single mechanism where you could use one single screw instead of so many expensive screws and operation i guess
The problem I see with your modification is *no ability to adjust the position the pressing plate/bar for the thickness of the metal*. To get a clean bend, that plate/bar must be moved forwards or backwards from the pivot point depending on what you're bending - closer to the pivot point for thin metal, further for thicker. Your bolts, locking that plate/bar in place, prevent that movement, removing that ability. Certainly not a good modification if you want to retain the flexibility of this tool.
Yes. I finally rummage through parts and put springs on both sides. So the bar rises once the wing nut is released. Also for thicker sheet metal. such as 20 gauge, still need to used a couple C-clamps to hold the bar down snug enough. Hay this is a HF product not a name brand with all the bells and whistles.
