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homemade press brake for aluminum trim

| Posted in General Discussion on May 31, 1999 05:49am

*
Am re-siding my house and have solved all problems but that of bending aluminum trim. Don’t want to buy or rent press brake since long term project and one-time project. Does anyone have plans for a homemade aluminum press brake, or can anyone point me in a promising direction. Would beg, buy, borrow, or steal past edition of Fine Homebuilding if an article with such plans or helpful info were there. Appreciating any info forthcoming.

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Replies

  1. GT_Colo | May 25, 1999 07:53am | #1

    *
    I have been watching for the same info so I can build a brake for bending copper. Low voltage yard lights are the goal.

    1. Don_Lauer | May 25, 1999 08:46am | #2

      *Tom and GT; Steve Smith Autosports publications sells a well made paperback called "The Racers Guide To Fabricating Shop Equipment"In it is five projects,one of which is for a five foot press brake.A welder is necessary and some sort of tool for cutting lengths of steel,ie cutting torches,bandsaw,or cutoff chop saw.A drill press would be helpful also.The press is really quite simple though and I to am now in the process of building one.Good Luck! [email protected] Steve Smith Autosports Publications P.O.Box 11631/Santa Ana,Ca.92711 714-639-7681

  2. Guest_ | May 25, 1999 06:44pm | #3

    *
    It would seem to me that after all is said and done, you would have wasted more time, money and effort than it was worth in trying to construct your own aluminum brake. You could surely find an old slap side brake (10'6") for around 250 bucks or you may just want to pay a guy a couple of bucks to do the brake work for you. matter of fact, if you look hard enough, you will find a number of companies that make prefab coil work that will fit you windows, doors & facias and rake molds.

    This reminds me of my Uncle Sergio who would spend $25 and 5 hours to make something he refused to buy for $10.

    Pete Draganic

    1. Guest_ | May 25, 1999 07:18pm | #4

      *Gotta' agree with Pete on this one, a lot of time and money could be spent for something readily purchased. Don't know exactly what sort of shapes your going to be bending but I've bent quite a bit of step flashing with the aid of a little wooden jig fabbed up on site without too much trouble. Of course this may not be elaborate enough for your purposes but it worked pretty well for step flashing. A block of wood with some spacers the thickness of the metal you're bending with a another block nailed/screwed on top; slide the metal through the "slot" and then use a wooden/rubber mallet to produce the angle you want. It sounds crude but really does work. Just a thought....S.

  3. G.LaLonde | May 25, 1999 07:27pm | #5

    *
    Pete, And when he is done using the $250.00 tool, he can probably turn around and sell it for the same price. They are always in demand! Not so for the home made version.....

    1. Tom_Montgomery | May 25, 1999 07:39pm | #6

      *Thanks, gentlemen, for your replies. What a multitude of options I didn't have two days ago! Buy used brake, sub-contract, or build simple jig (welding is out of my province--but I have a neighbor.....). In my innocence I never thought of a used one. Will try the simple jig, if doesn't put me into Uncle Sergio's corner! Thanks, again.

  4. Guest_ | May 25, 1999 09:28pm | #7

    *
    The are instructions on building a break out of wood in one of Taunton’s “tips and techniques” books. As I remember, it would be between SamD's and the real thing.

  5. G.LaLonde | May 25, 1999 11:05pm | #8

    *
    Sam, I've got a step flashing bender exactly like the one you describe. Made out of two pieces of fir 2x12 with a slot routed out about 1/16" deep and the size and depth for the flashing. I wack the individual pieces off with a big paper cutter and pop them in there 2 at a time. I have made thousands of pieces of flashing with that thing and can't really think of a faster way to do it. It is very quick (and cheap) I mount it in a vise. I'd suggest that anyone who uses a lot of step flashing try one of these. I could never find any factory made flashing that was the size I wanted.

  6. Guest_ | May 26, 1999 02:14am | #9

    *
    Buy the brake and re-sell it when you are done.I bend tons of custom flashing on site for every job we do and I can't fathom trying to do it with a homemade jig.I suspect the intricate shapes required to get around sills,jambs and stops etc. will be virtually impossible with a homemade jig.

    never tried bending step flashing with a jig. We either buy it pre-made or I bend it with a framing square held flat on a flat surface.It only takes about 1 second a piece(after the metal is cut)

    BUY THE BRAKE!

    Goodd Luck,Stephen

    1. Guest_ | May 26, 1999 02:14am | #10

      *Buy the brake and re-sell it when you are done.I bend tons of custom flashing on site for every job we do and I can't fathom trying to do it with a homemade jig.I suspect the intricate shapes required to get around sills,jambs and stops etc. will be virtually impossible with a homemade jig.never tried bending step flashing with a jig. We either buy it pre-made or I bend it with a framing square held flat on a flat surface.It only takes about 1 second a piece(after the metal is cut)BUY THE BRAKE!Goodd Luck,Stephen

      1. Guest_ | May 26, 1999 04:26am | #11

        *G., Never thought of a big paper cutter, good tip! Now I just need to hunt one down. Using those tin snips gets mighty tiresome after awhile. S.

        1. Guest_ | May 26, 1999 04:34am | #12

          *Personally, I have found it very challenging to produce professional looking metal fascia, etc wrap, even with a good ~12' break. Probably, because I don't do it every day. I can't imagine trying to do quality work with a home made tool - but that's just me....Also, doing cornice work is much harder then doing step flashing.

          1. Guest_ | May 26, 1999 07:15am | #13

            *Merely a suggestion guys, wasn't trying to imply it was the answer to all sheet metal tasks. Matt, I will admit that sheet metal takes a special touch- even with the right equipment.S.

          2. Guest_ | May 26, 1999 02:50pm | #14

            *Have to disagree on the economics of a site built brake. FHB articles have shown a couple of diagrams for building them out of 2x stock and strap hinges. I'd guess less than an hour to build. Estimate the cost of that hour. Figure you'd spend at least the same hour locating and picking up the used brake. So it's a wash. Subtract the cost of materials from $250 or whatever for the used break and where are you?For the LV lights project, saw a small brake (18" ?) in Woodworker's Supply the other day for around $25. Northern Hydraulics has had a small one too.

  7. Brian_K. | May 30, 1999 10:01pm | #15

    *
    I'll sell my near new Tapco Pro III brake I'll sell for $500( cost 800 new)It's a 8'6" model.(I will pick up a new 10'6" on tuesday) I can sell it everyday at that price. I believe it would be very difficult and frustrating to get the crisp bends and hems you can get on these units, plus the tight 1/2" U-bends for soffits and facias....hmmmmm Brian

  8. Guest_ | May 31, 1999 08:52am | #16

    *
    Tom,

    I know you said you did not want to rent one, but whats the big deal?. In my area you can rent one for $25 a day and /or $60 for the entire week. What about borrowing one from someone in exchange for a favor? If you don't like these ideas, definately look for a used one. I bought a used 8'-6" J Brake from a contractor friend of mine for $50 who had 3 of these and not enough jobs to keep all 3 working. The one I bought was old and worn, but I machined a few new parts for it and it works great. Also, manufacturers will sell overhaul kits (new springs, tensioners, plastic edging, etc.) for about $115 which will make that old break sing like new. Beats paying $800 to $1200 for a brand newey! I've tried the homemade route with some but hinges and 2x6s. Wasn't much good.

    Davo

    1. Guest_ | May 31, 1999 05:49pm | #18

      *YOu can easily rent the brake for one day, bend all the stock, and return it. Then take the year to put the stuff up.Thats what I used to do prior to buying one.Doesn't anyone here use hand seamers for small flashing pieces? Blue

  9. Tom_Montgomery | May 31, 1999 05:49pm | #17

    *
    Am re-siding my house and have solved all problems but that of bending aluminum trim. Don't want to buy or rent press brake since long term project and one-time project. Does anyone have plans for a homemade aluminum press brake, or can anyone point me in a promising direction. Would beg, buy, borrow, or steal past edition of Fine Homebuilding if an article with such plans or helpful info were there. Appreciating any info forthcoming.

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