make bends on metal

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Another newbie question??  I just cut out the floor pan that covers my tranny cuz I put in a new shifter.  I want to make a new cover which bigger and almost square like a little table inbetween my two seats.  I was wondering what guage steel to use and most important what tool to make the steel bend at the angle I need. kinda like 2in then a 90 up then another 90 all the way across then the same on the other side then weld it to the flor pan.  Any ideas on the tool and guage steel would be helpful.  Thanks again for helping the new guy who soouly relies on u guys bfor answers.LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:To make straight cornered  bends in sheetmetal you need some kind of a brake.  I have a little 18" hand brake that bends up to about 20 ga but I rarely use it.One way to do it without bending at all would be to make a perimeter frame out of light angle, say 1/2" 16 ga and then weld the flat sheet to the frame, letting the frame provide the corners instead of bends in the sheet.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:The best way would be using a sheet metal break and i would think 16ga should be good enough for a non stress part.  An other option (because breaks are expensive!) would be get some square or rectangle tubing that would meet your requirements for the "90's" cut off the sides and weld some sheet metal on top. How far "up" does the first 90 have to go, one inch?  You could use 1x2 square tubing and cut off one side.  Just an idea, and only for a non critical or non stress part.  This seems to be only a cover and should not have much stress.
Reply:You could make a brake to bend the sheet metal..  I've never made one of these, but it looks cool..Miller has plans on their site:  http://www.millerwelds.com/interests...bending-brake/Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:never thought about the square tubing great ideas fellas!!!LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:I have a little HF sheet brake you can use if wanna try it.Not too far from ya as I'm right in LA- Saturday morning traffic would be easy.18"Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:When I'm too lazy to drag out my small 36" brake I use a simple method of clamping the piece to be broke to a table top or any other secure surface. Lay a piece of angle across the area to be broke and clamp it down, bent the overhanging section to the desired angle. Sometimes it helps to score the backside of the break with a cut off wheel on a grinder.These pictures might explain it a little better.1st, 2nd, and 3rd pictures are a fender I made for a small trailer, I didn't take pictures of the full length breaks but the example shows how I bent the angles for them to form the fender.4th. and 5th pictures are from the side panel of my tow truck, the backside was scored to make the bend a little easier. Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:Do u think that hf sheet break work??LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:Originally Posted by tikiboi13Do u think that hf sheet break work??
Reply:with those pics hell yeah they will!!!!!LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:lay out bend lines and then score it with a metabo cutoff wheel or hammer&chisel
Reply:Yeah again u guys come to the rescue.  It was an all day project but came out sick.  Just laid the hush mat over it, looks like it was made for the car.  THANKS!!!LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:Originally Posted by tikiboi13Yeah again u guys come to the rescue.  It was an all day project but came out sick.  Just laid the hush mat over it, looks like it was made for the car.  THANKS!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by tikiboi13Yeah again u guys come to the rescue.  It was an all day project but came out sick.  Just laid the hush mat over it, looks like it was made for the car.  THANKS!!!
Reply:SORRY fellas no pics on this one cuz right after i did it i put the hushmat over and carpet. Was on a dead line sorta.  Needed it done for a car show.  I have to keep my Camera in the garage.  Sorry Have another big project that I will so from the beginning.  Picked up a car that is going to need some elbow grease and love.  So a million more metal questions for u guys.  Again thanks for your guys help.LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!