Home made press brakes

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As per request of Glenn "Stampede" I'll post some pics of the brakes I built to help restore the old Toyota fork lift that I posted on here way back when. These brakes sure came in handy and work well with the home made press that i built a loooong time ago.there not ground breaking by any means but they took me two weekends to make all the same. You'll see by the pics I made my own dies and there strong and there lasting. Any questions feel free to ask. PaulHere's a pictorial account of how I built them.Miller 302 Trailblazer/Custom TrailerMillermatic 350P/Spool gunMillermatic 252Miller Spectrum 875Miller Dynasty200DxHypertherm Powermax 85Tracker CNC 4X8 Pro Table (Down Draft)Visit us @ www.specialtyrepairscustommods.com
Reply:More picsMiller 302 Trailblazer/Custom TrailerMillermatic 350P/Spool gunMillermatic 252Miller Spectrum 875Miller Dynasty200DxHypertherm Powermax 85Tracker CNC 4X8 Pro Table (Down Draft)Visit us @ www.specialtyrepairscustommods.com
Reply:The last of the pics. hope you liked them Video of lights:  Miller 302 Trailblazer/Custom TrailerMillermatic 350P/Spool gunMillermatic 252Miller Spectrum 875Miller Dynasty200DxHypertherm Powermax 85Tracker CNC 4X8 Pro Table (Down Draft)Visit us @ www.specialtyrepairscustommods.com
Reply:4shorts, never cease to amaze. Nice job as always! Have you tried to max out the capabilities on the home made brake? If so what where you looking at thickness & length wise w/ that 20 ton.
Reply:You are a gifted man.Great work.
Reply:Paul,Very nice work.How did you cut the large holes in the base plate? Large holes are always a problem for me. I usually have to resort to the torch to cut them and they look crappy. Don't have a mill or a plasma that can cut that.I just got a great haul of free steel and a lot of it is big stuff so the press is on the short list and then the brakes.
Reply:i gotta say very nice job on everything.steelman
Reply:Originally Posted by steelmani gotta say very nice job on everything.steelman
Reply:Originally Posted by Crawford4shorts, never cease to amaze. Nice job as always! Have you tried to max out the capabilities on the home made brake? If so what where you looking at thickness & length wise w/ that 20 ton.
Reply:Continued from Bob's question:Miller 302 Trailblazer/Custom TrailerMillermatic 350P/Spool gunMillermatic 252Miller Spectrum 875Miller Dynasty200DxHypertherm Powermax 85Tracker CNC 4X8 Pro Table (Down Draft)Visit us @ www.specialtyrepairscustommods.com
Reply:Nice work, thanks for posting the pix's. Gives me some ideas. Did you use regular cold rolled steel for the dies?Any chance I could get you to post pix of the details of you light guards that you built for the fork lift as well. I have a little problem with tree branches and the lights on my tractor cab getting too friendly with one another.Thanks again. Great work.Glenn.Sign on East Texas payphone: Calls to God 40 cents......it's a local call...
Reply:Originally Posted by StampederNice work, thanks for posting the pix's. Gives me some ideas. Did you use regular cold rolled steel for the dies?Any chance I could get you to post pix of the details of you light guards that you built for the fork lift as well. I have a little problem with tree branches and the lights on my tractor cab getting too friendly with one another.Thanks again. Great work.Glenn.
Reply:Ok, so it's Sunday morning and my coffee time...how can you tell. Yet another question on this is the bit you used to drill the holes for the vertical shafts? It looks almost like something from a milling machine? Some kind of coring bit?I have a 15.5 acre ranch and a 50 hp tractor. It seems everything to do with tractors is big. A small bolt for me is like 5/8 diameter and it seems like everything I drill is between 5/8 and 1 inch in diameter. Steel thickness is anywhere from 1/4 inch up to 3/4 inch. Therefore I am curious about the process you use to drill large holes as it looks like it could come in really handy around here. The pins on the three point hitches (just about all my equipment use them) are 3/4 inch in diameter.Thanks again for sharing you knowledge and pictures.Glenn.Sign on East Texas payphone: Calls to God 40 cents......it's a local call...
Reply:Those holes could easily be cut using a bimetal hole saw in a drill press.Syncrowave 350Coolmate 3Millermatic 251Spoolmatic 30A
Reply:Very nice workMiller XMT 304Lincoln Buzz BoxVictor Cutting Torch OutfitHobart Generator/Welder
Reply:Originally Posted by n20junkieThose holes could easily be cut using a bimetal hole saw in a drill press.
Reply:The brakes look great. Might have to build one at work. We have a hydraulically powered break that will do 1/8" X 4.5' but we have a 50 ton press that would be handier to use to brake 1/4-1/2" for building bracket, etc. We have a decent powerfeed drill press with bits to 2 3/8". I've been looking for an excuse to work on my machining skills and turning down shafts would be a good place to start.
Reply:Unfortunately I don't have the mill or a mag drill. I would have to scab a hole with the torch and try to fix it all up with the welding.
Reply:Originally Posted by RaptorDunerThe brakes look great. Might have to build one at work. We have a hydraulically powered break that will do 1/8" X 4.5' but we have a 50 ton press that would be handier to use to brake 1/4-1/2" for building bracket, etc. We have a decent powerfeed drill press with bits to 2 3/8". I've been looking for an excuse to work on my machining skills and turning down shafts would be a good place to start.
Reply:OK Paul I will be there Tuesday.Actually I would love to go up there. Closest I have been to you is Montreal and that has been years. I would have to come during the three days of summer you have up there. Me and cold do not get along.I will have to check out the annular cutters and see what is available. Seems like very time I try to drill thick stuff, even with small bits I hit something hard inside and smoke the bit. Go from cutting to screeching and smoking in no time. Maybe next time I will try annealing the steel first.
Reply:Originally Posted by StampederOk, so it's Sunday morning and my coffee time...how can you tell. Yet another question on this is the bit you used to drill the holes for the vertical shafts? It looks almost like something from a milling machine? Some kind of coring bit?..............................................  .Glenn.
Reply:Originally Posted by StampederOk, so it's Sunday morning and my coffee time...how can you tell. Yet another question on this is the bit you used to drill the holes for the vertical shafts? It looks almost like something from a milling machine? Some kind of coring bit?I have a 15.5 acre ranch and a 50 hp tractor. It seems everything to do with tractors is big. A small bolt for me is like 5/8 diameter and it seems like everything I drill is between 5/8 and 1 inch in diameter. Steel thickness is anywhere from 1/4 inch up to 3/4 inch. Therefore I am curious about the process you use to drill large holes as it looks like it could come in really handy around here. The pins on the three point hitches (just about all my equipment use them) are 3/4 inch in diameter.Thanks again for sharing you knowledge and pictures.Glenn.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bob WarnerOK Paul I will be there Tuesday. I would have to come during the three days of summer you have up there. Me and cold do not get along.
Reply:4shorts I do have a dumb question for ya, why weld the male end of the brake onto the plate rather than just shaping the plate?
Reply:Originally Posted by Crawford4shorts I do have a dumb question for ya, why weld the male end of the brake onto the plate rather than just shaping the plate?I think Crawford was referring to this picture. Attached Images
Reply:Ha! Ha! Now I know what your referring to. Some might ask why and I just say why not?These brakes were built basically on a budget. All the material I used on these were from other jobs and the steel was really just kicking around the shop so I tried to utilize all of it on these two brakes. Now If I were to go out and purchase all new material I may have done it differently and I may not have either.I find sometimes we can over engineer this stuff and it turns out no better than If we did it the easy way. All I know Is they work and work very well. Good question though.Miller 302 Trailblazer/Custom TrailerMillermatic 350P/Spool gunMillermatic 252Miller Spectrum 875Miller Dynasty200DxHypertherm Powermax 85Tracker CNC 4X8 Pro Table (Down Draft)Visit us @ www.specialtyrepairscustommods.com
Reply:when i built my brake i went to the scrapyard and found some 1/2" plate that a machine shop had scrapped that had a bunch of machined holes in it.. i cut my hinges from that because i couldnt make a 3/4 hole witht eh tolerances i wanted in the hinge..
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966I think Crawford was referring to this picture.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadwhen i built my brake i went to the scrapyard and found some 1/2" plate that a machine shop had scrapped that had a bunch of machined holes in it.. i cut my hinges from that because i couldnt make a 3/4 hole witht eh tolerances i wanted in the hinge..
Reply:[QUOTE=4shorts;378894]Got a few pictures? We'd love to see it sure do, thanks for asking..first foto is the hinge i cut with the "factory hole" Attached Images
Reply:[quote=weldbead;378992] Originally Posted by 4shortsGot a few pictures? We'd love to see it sure do, thanks for asking..first foto is the hinge i cut with the "factory hole"
Reply:Great build and great pictures. I, for one, am going to build a press brake and your's fits the bill nicely. Since you were so kind as to post this, let me offer you a tip on your new arrival Bridgeport. If you mount two lights on your mill as I have, you will remove the shadow created by just one light making your layout lines much easier to see. Again, great post.  Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by trapperjohnGreat build and great pictures. I, for one, am going to build a press brake and your's fits the bill nicely. Since you were so kind as to post this, let me offer you a tip on your new arrival Bridgeport. If you mount two lights on your mill as I have, you will remove the shadow created by just one light making your layout lines much easier to see. Again, great post.
Reply:Actually Paul, I bought it new and ordered it single phase as I don't have three phase in the shop. I wish I did. I did make a rotary phase converter so I can test motors and run an occasional machine I may get for resale. Good luck with your new mill and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Reply:Originally Posted by trapperjohnActually Paul, I bought it new and ordered it single phase as I don't have three phase in the shop. I wish I did. I did make a rotary phase converter so I can test motors and run an occasional machine I may get for resale. Good luck with your new mill and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Reply:Today I've been doing some research on phase converters and came across this link. I thought it was important enough to post it here. Check it out before you go out and purchase a phase converter.http://www.usphaseconverterstandards...comparison.htmMiller 302 Trailblazer/Custom TrailerMillermatic 350P/Spool gunMillermatic 252Miller Spectrum 875Miller Dynasty200DxHypertherm Powermax 85Tracker CNC 4X8 Pro Table (Down Draft)Visit us @ www.specialtyrepairscustommods.com
Reply:I see you did your homework on the mill and the phase converter. First you got variable speed on the mill, something I should have done and you researched the phase converter. I built my own converter and only use it occasionally for testing, whereas you will be using yours maybe daily and for extended periods of time. That link makes one very clear, do your research before buying.
Reply:Originally Posted by trapperjohnI see you did your homework on the mill and the phase converter. First you got variable speed on the mill, something I should have done and you researched the phase converter. I built my own converter and only use it occasionally for testing, whereas you will be using yours maybe daily and for extended periods of time. That link makes one very clear, do your research before buying.
Reply:Nice build 4shorts.  Sorry I got into this a little late, but on the press brake, how do you determine the bend radius that the die is capable?  Does the metal being bent just determine its own based on its thickness, so in other words the thicker the steel  the greater the radius?  Does this question make sense? On the mill, I have a 3 phase 2J head BP, and used a 2hp VFD to power it from 220 single phase.  Works great.
Reply:Originally Posted by trapperjohnGreat build and great pictures. I, for one, am going to build a press brake and your's fits the bill nicely. Since you were so kind as to post this, let me offer you a tip on your new arrival Bridgeport. If you mount two lights on your mill as I have, you will remove the shadow created by just one light making your layout lines much easier to see. Again, great post.
Reply:4shorts,First, the press brake is very nice!  I'll be looking for reasons to justify building one of those.As for the mill, congratulations!  I too had a round column mill drill for many years and upgraded to a 3hp (3-phase) B'port clone last year.  You will love the difference especially the movable knee.  Now you won't have to reset everything if you need more clearance...just turn the handle.I bought a static phase converter for mine and although I haven't had any issues with it I now see that VFD's (variable frequency drives) cost about the same AND they output 3-phase for a single phase input.  Not sure if they suffer the same limitations you mentioned re static converters though.Good luck...have fun...and keep posting those awesome project photos.Miller 211 w/ spool gunMiller Dynasty 200DXLongevity 60i IGBT plasmaO/A w/ crappy chinese torch/gaugesSouth Bend 10K latheGrizzly 4029 10x54 millGrizzly 7x12 hor bandsawangle grnders, bench grnder, bench belt sndr7.5 hp 80gal cmprsor
Reply:Originally Posted by DrivadeslNice build 4shorts.  Sorry I got into this a little late, but on the press brake, how do you determine the bend radius that the die is capable?  Does the metal being bent just determine its own based on its thickness, so in other words the thicker the steel  the greater the radius?  Does this question make sense? On the mill, I have a 3 phase 2J head BP, and used a 2hp VFD to power it from 220 single phase.  Works great.
Reply:Originally Posted by 4shortsThe motor on my mill is 3 HP and the vendor said I needed a 3 HP converter so me thinking he was wrong I called Phase- A- Matic and had a great chat with those fine people and they confermed I was right. I need to get a converter that goes up to 5 HP in the Phase-A-Matic. I guess I'll be calling the @#%#^ salesman back tomorrow. They might be always a salesman but there not always right! . Geez Bruce now I got to pick my chin off the floor again. Very nice machine there sir. Love those lights as well. Gotta have lots of lighting running those machines. Glad you liked the lift. If I keep adding stuff to my shop I'm going to end up working outside Don't worry about being off topic. We're all friends and can talk about anything  Thanks for posting that picture. Love it!
Reply:Originally Posted by BruceTSI've been using a 3HP Anderson rotary phase converter, since I have a 2HP Bridgeport, but here's a eBay link to a 5HP model, not sure what your paying for the Phase-A-Matic.http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-5-Hp-Rotary-...item53e0668104I'm about to fabricate a box around my table for most jobs since I hate having chips flying all over the garage.
Reply:Ok! Ok! Ok! now you guys, that really hurts........I have this HUGE case of Mill envy.I've been wanting to upgrade my shop on the ranch with a lathe and a mill.So, question.....which one should I go for first lathe or mill.Also, what sort of prices are people paying for their BP mills?I concened that like so many serious tools that getting the tool is only the beginning....it's all the cutters and special heads that is the really expensive part.Any and all suggestions as to a recommended treatment for my MILL envy would be greatly appreciated.Thanks guys and keep the pictures coming. It's very interesting and helpful to see how others have gone through the process of evolving their shops.Glenn.Sign on East Texas payphone: Calls to God 40 cents......it's a local call...
Reply:Stampeder, I made a reply to your question in this thread http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=40335  since it's more in line with what your asking.Don't want to get too far off-topic.....Synchowave 180SD  Bernard 3500SS water coolerMillermatic 200Parker Plasma Tec 40dvOperating Engineers Local 12
Reply:Originally Posted by StampederOk! Ok! Ok! now you guys, that really hurts........I have this HUGE case of Mill envy.I've been wanting to upgrade my shop on the ranch with a lathe and a mill.So, question.....which one should I go for first lathe or mill.Also, what sort of prices are people paying for their BP mills?I concened that like so many serious tools that getting the tool is only the beginning....it's all the cutters and special heads that is the really expensive part. Any and all suggestions as to a recommended treatment for my MILL envy would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and keep the pictures coming. It's very interesting and helpful to see how others have gone through the process of evolving their shops. Glenn.
Reply:Here's the link to the DRO: http://www.fagor-automation.com/Prod...truevision.pdfMiller 302 Trailblazer/Custom TrailerMillermatic 350P/Spool gunMillermatic 252Miller Spectrum 875Miller Dynasty200DxHypertherm Powermax 85Tracker CNC 4X8 Pro Table (Down Draft)Visit us @ www.specialtyrepairscustommods.com
Reply:Something went wrong. Here's the pic of the mill:Last edited by 4shorts; 04-03-2010 at 06:14 PM.Miller 302 Trailblazer/Custom TrailerMillermatic 350P/Spool gunMillermatic 252Miller Spectrum 875Miller Dynasty200DxHypertherm Powermax 85Tracker CNC 4X8 Pro Table (Down Draft)Visit us @ www.specialtyrepairscustommods.com