I am getting tired of using a lump of iron a vice and a hammer to fold metal for repair panels, looking on machine mart (ebay, etc) it appears that for around £50 I have the choice of a 4-6" metal brake to use in my vice or a metal folder.
example folder
example brake
Other than the width, is there any advantage to having one over the other?
I was thinking the brake would be handy for making more intricate panels because of the size but the folder better for larger repairs.
Also the brake would take up much less storage space.
Metal folder or brake?
Metal folder or brake?
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
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Young Farmer
- Posts: 151
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:27 pm
Re: Metal folder or brake?
I bought a folder from CJ Autos at the restoration show for£40, probably a show price. It works well and is easy to use. It doesn't fold a tight bend but the fold it makes is spot on for making repair sections for chassis legs on Morris minors. That press brake looks a lot more fiddly to use than a folder and there is a danger that if you decide to use it for making bumper brackets you could end up breaking your vice. I have seen homemade press brakes on you tube and if I need one would probably go down that route. The one using a hydraulic jack works well and I already have the frame made up initially to straighten dung loader tines, now used as a press to remove/replace bearings and bushes
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tractorman
- Posts: 1399
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:22 am
- Location: Wigton, Cumbria
Re: Metal folder or brake?
I suspect you'll find a brake is too small and fiddly for many of your jobs - though great for making "corners" with lips on two or more sides!
I'd look further on the bay and you will probably find unbranded versions of the Clarke that are a bit cheaper (or larger). If you are really lucky, you'll find a cheap but good "professional" one locally (some are too heavy and clumsy to go in the back of a car!)
The last school I worked at was given a decent folder (redundant from a TV transmitter workshop) and it took about six of us to get it off the trailer and into the "Technician's Area" - a fit young IT-type could have probably done it by himself!
I confess that two bits of decent angle iron and a vice are enough for me - I gulp when I see the cost of a decent folder, let alone a good brake. Most of the sensibly-priced affairs are only 300mm wide and tend to be a little lightweight for any serious stuff (or GCSE pupils!)
I'd look further on the bay and you will probably find unbranded versions of the Clarke that are a bit cheaper (or larger). If you are really lucky, you'll find a cheap but good "professional" one locally (some are too heavy and clumsy to go in the back of a car!)
The last school I worked at was given a decent folder (redundant from a TV transmitter workshop) and it took about six of us to get it off the trailer and into the "Technician's Area" - a fit young IT-type could have probably done it by himself!
I confess that two bits of decent angle iron and a vice are enough for me - I gulp when I see the cost of a decent folder, let alone a good brake. Most of the sensibly-priced affairs are only 300mm wide and tend to be a little lightweight for any serious stuff (or GCSE pupils!)