Modifications for a 30" Bending Brake - Harbor Freight / Central Machinery 

Thanks for your comment. Makes it worth putting in the time to create a video if/when the next modification/fabrication crosses my path. :)

Great to hear. Thanks for your comment and best to your garage project!

Thanks for your comment! Much appreciated.

That is a GREAT modification option! Wish I had thought of incorporating that initially. Hopefully those who view this build have an opportunity to review your comment.

Thanks Jonathan. Appreciate your comment. One of the earlier comments requested an item list that was shared. If you run into any questions, post up and I'll get back as soon as I see your message. Best to ya!

Appreciate your comment. Best to your build!

Appreciate the compliment. Best with your modification.

Thanks. Appreciate it.

Great to hear! Thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated.

Thanks. Appreciate your comment.

Thanks. Appreciate your comment.

Thank you Larry. Hope it works well for you. Other great RU-vids offer variations of this setting that might further enhance the practical use of a bare basic bending brake. Wish you the best and appreciate your comment!

Appreciate your comment. Makes the time editing video, etc worth knowing it's held some value for others. Best of success to you and your build projects.

Thanks for your comment! Supports the time spent futz-ing with crafting, editing, and publishing the video.

i was thinking slotted holes also to adjust for thicknesses.

Thanks for your compliment. :) I've considered the adjustable stop though the design intent for myself would never exceed my max 100* (approx) angle bend with the thickness the unit can handle which imo, 18 guage is max. I like having a bit of extra for the angle to bend a tad beyond 90*. The metal would have to incredibly thick for a fixed to not be capable of a 90* bend. Again, imo - far too thick for the 30" to accommodate. I'm no expert. I'm a hobbiest and could be completely wrong though that's my reasoning for keeping it fixed vs adjustable. Thanks again for your comment and share if you find it more valuable w/adjustable. :)

Thanks for your comment. I'm not sure how to add a picture to the comment section or if I'm able to edit the initial description with a picture. I'll see what I can do tomorrow.

Have the photos though have not found a method to post the pics. Still working on it. If I'm unable, view the video. At the ends, backside, close to the "coupling" nuts used to tighten the 3' angle iron, the small 1/2 inch angle used as a stop is tack welded to the bending break frame ends (2).

I believe it was 1/2".

Thanks. Appreciate it.

16g would be tough, imo. May work if the body that moves/raises was reinforced with a similar piece of angle iron. Stock build has a very thin gauge square tube steel. When I've bent 18g, that portion flexes in the center slightly, though noticable. I believe it states rated up to 18g. The space between the break bar and the point it bends is 1/8". It's worked great w/o any additional modifications. I saw one recent RU-vid where someone added a small bolt to each of the 1/2" angle "guides" that would thread horizontally - adjusting the gap spaces mentioned earlier. I've not found a need for it though - worth viewing if interested. Best to your build! Thanks for your comment.

Hi Darrell, The small angle iron pieces were tacked on to act as a guide so the brake bar that rises and falls on the springs would stay at the same position each time I tightened the bar down. Without the angle iron guides, I would have to adjust the bar to be lined up so the sheet metal would bend along my intended location.

Appreciate your comment. They sell an amazingly basic setting that hinders the sheet size based on where clamps are placed, time, etc! Inspiration to create the modifications. Thanks again.

I viewed your video and passed a thumbs up when crafting my setup. I believe your video may have been the one that inspired the addition of the springs. If I was to add one additional modification, another 1/4 2x2 angle iron piece in place of the default square tube for the body that raises to bend the sheet metal. Bending 18 gauge does not maintain a consistent even edge with the stock square tubing they slapped on for support. After completing this fun project, considering time and additional item expense; I would've been better off paying for a quality bending brake vs HB. However, where's the fun in that? Haha! I viewed your channel cutting unit converted from a laminate cutter. Thats a great conversion! Very nice! I'm curious though, is the added bead weld necessary for your tool holding display? Agree, if for heavy use. Thanks for your comment!

@@chaztaz6562 Welding is probably not necessary, but makes the end product a bit nicer looking when painted and finished. The slot when bent, however is not as rigid. and might crack with use. These were mill tool holders to be wall mounted so old saying-- " flap wheel, primer and paint make u the welder u ain't" I picked up a small 110v stick unit, and the 125 flux core wire feed from HF, and they work well enough to learn on.

I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier. I'll have to see if there's a way to be notified if a comment is made. I'd imagine you've created your own setup however, in the event others are interested; --2 carriage bolts 1/2", 6" long. 4 standard nuts, 2 2" coupling nuts, 6 washers large enough for the spring to press against. I chopped the base washer to make room as the hole placement necessary was too close to the base mount's pre-set hole. --4 carriage bolts 1/2", 3" long w/ 4 washers, 4 nuts. --1 Door Spring (I cut in half and used for both bolts). --1 Angle Iron 2" x 36" --1 2x10 x 36" wood --2 Angle Iron 1/4" x 4-1/4" I believe that covers all the items purchased... Again apologies for not seeing your question earlier.

Hmmm. I've not tried and the only stock I have are angled/channel aluminum. My thoughts... with the added 2" steel angle on top, the only other weak point is the handle attached body that forces the sheet to flex/bend. I've replaced the chinchy frail thin tubing they used as support on the handle body to another piece of 2" angle iron. I've not tried though, if the 30" is secured, I don't see why it would have a problem with 16g steel... and if that's the case, aluminum should be a safe bet to bend.

1/2". As mentioned in my reply to speed2529, I apologize for not seeing your question earlier. I imagine you've figured a size that fit for your use by now. Again, apologies.

I hear what you're sharing. Reason I did not: 1.) My intent is not beyond 20g sheet 2.) Swapping the angle direction blocks my ability to perform two and three bends, as the angle permits, My addition that strengthens the heck out of the unit was to pull off that flat out garbage, foil thin tube on the back of the levered portion and replaced it with another 1/4" angle. If one needs to bend beyond 1/4 angle on both sides of the break point - I don't know what to say.

Apologies, in order for the angle iron, that's welded to the stock bar, to extend beyond the body of the unit, the height you mentioned had to be ground down on both sides. If the sides are not ground down, the angle would not sit flush on the stock bar. Thanks for your observation.

I'll keep that in mind for future videos. Thanks for your comment and wish you the best for your modification to this tool.