I am just curious if any of you have built yourself a bench top or small(ish) sheet metal brake? I have looked at Harbor Freight's mini brake but it is just a bit too small. Ideally I am looking for something up to about 18" capacity. Any ideas?

Oddly enough, Harbor Freight has an 18" table-top bending brake listed on their website for $39.99.

http://www.harborfreight.co...ing-brake-39103.html

quote Originally posted by Blacktree: Oddly enough, Harbor Freight has an 18" table-top bending brake listed on their website for $39.99. http://www.harborfreight.co...ing-brake-39103.html

How the heck did I miss that??? I searched their site for half an hour and only found the 8" shear and brake.

Thanks man

[This message has been edited by infinitewill (edited 01-04-2011).]

I have one of those and the only drawback is that you have to use C-clamps to clamp the upper jaw onto the lower one (sandwiching the sheet metal in between). The C-clamps tend to get in the way. It's OK though, for the cost. What would be ideal is to buy a second upper jaw and cut it up into smaller pieces for more flexibility in bending boxes, etc.

With the economy still in the pits and so many small shops out f biz; you may want to search ebey etc for a floor standing unit. You should eb able to find a good one for less than the cost of a new bench top unit.

I make a lot of replacement body panels. I use a large vise and a couple of 2x4s. Works great for up to 2 feet. Longer you need 2 vises and longer 2x4s I just made some heavy metal edges to wrap around my house entrance doors and the door frames where the locks are.

[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 01-04-2011).]

quote Originally posted by Francis T: With the economy still in the pits and so many small shops out f biz; you may want to search ebey etc for a floor standing unit. You should eb able to find a good one for less than the cost of a new bench top unit.

It's not the cost that's the Issue. It's the size. I do not want or need something floor standing.

quote Originally posted by infinitewill: It's not the cost that's the Issue. It's the size. I do not want or need something floor standing.

You sound like my wife; always complaining about the size