Stumbled across this at Tractor Supply tonight:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/welding-metalworking/other-metalworking-tools-accessories/clarke-metal-brake-with-stand-36-in-3805140
Clarke brand, looks pretty stout w/ good onsite reviews. (Max. bend angle of 20 deg. should be 120 deg. per other sites) HF, Northern have the same or similar +/- price, but w/ TS pickup no added freight charge.
This would bend 90% + of what I generally need. I have access to wider and heavier gauge brakes including box/ pan but for lighter stuff I just use clamps and angle iron or sq. tubing on the bench.
Granted, it's mostly convenience but at $249 it's no big cost, could always resell when upgrading. Anybody have experience w/ this brake?
i have it, got it on sale for around $210 a few yrs ago. i love it, i made bends in some really thick material for my old truck floor. i would definitely recommend it, but i am thinking of making a single handle for locking(tie both sides together) and adding some length to the handles used for bending
YaNi
Reader
5/3/11 10:18 a.m.
That looks the same as my Horrible Freight brake. I'm no expert, but it has worked pretty well for some cancer surgery. I'd bolt it down and add an angle gauge if I used it more often.
dude....make one...
http://www.ch601.org/tools/bendbrake/brakeplans.pdf
http://www.millerwelds.com/interests/projects/bending-brake/
http://www.majorleagueduning.com/tech/Brake/Brake.htm
If I had a 4' brake similar to the ones linked to by Grtechguy, I could turn out Europa frames easy. Maybe next time. This one is a space frame because that's what I'm familiar with and it's 75% done.
