Building sheet metal brake - hinge question

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Hi,I am looking to build a small bending brake,usual design with hinged angle as the bending part.Is it necessary for the hinge axle center to be dead center with the bend point ?thx,LMM 180
Reply:Yes sirIf you don’t have it there the bend will not be sharp.  To far back and you won’t be able to lift the lower part up and to far forward and the bend will be rounded.Have funTom
Reply:thanks, didn't feel like thinking it throughMM 180
Reply:Originally Posted by lennykthanks, didn't feel like thinking it through
Reply:couple  more questions,I guess that there needs to be a tiny little gap between the angles which will facilitatethe thickness of the material or should the clamp be slightly offset from the hinge line ?Also for a 24" brake would 3/16" angle be able to bend 18ga ?Last edited by lennyk; 09-17-2011 at 02:44 PM.MM 180
Reply:Here is one I'm planning on making http://www.majorleagueduning.com/tech/Brake/brake1.htmHe has nice picture to guide you.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:the hinge point needs to be centered at both corners of the angle when the angles are butted together..you can make a positioning jig with a piece of stock for a spacer block and a couple short pieces of angle iron..  the jig i made basically looked somewhat like a T-square with a notch in the T corner of it..  when you make your hinges, make the centerline of your hinge the same length as the angle you will use for the brake itself...  if your using 2inch angle make the centerline of the hinge to the back edge  of the hinge 2inches, then all you do is use a straight edge to bump up to the edge of the 2inch angle..  then the other direction you just use a piece of flat stock the correct thickness to get to the centerline of the hinge from the top and clamp to it...tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Here's my sheet metal break:  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...618#post554618I'm going to go for 16ga.  If it's having trouble I'll score a fold line.  Also considering the top plate support.  I'm sure I'll be modifying it as I go.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand