20 Ton Finger Press Brake

[Jim Sullivan]

Just finished welding up my new press brake. Bought a kit from Swag Off Road. I think It's supposed to be able to handle 3/8" plate, maybe thicker depending on the width. I've looked into building one of these from scratch, but I just dont have the extra time like some have(Bob). Was pretty easy to assemble. Since this was designed to fit a Harbor Freight press and my press has a little bit larger frame, I had to machine a ram that fit the ring on the brake. I bent a piece of 1/8" like it wasn't there. I will have to pick up several smaller sizes of angle iron to stack in the bottom die to get tighter bends on thick stock. But I am very happy with it.

 

[bobs409]

Been there, done that. Stepping up in the world there Jim! They do work great! I had no trouble bending 1/4" in my 12 ton press.

I built mine from scratch but did buy the dies from swag. I got this type that allow tight bends:

 

[La Hot Rods]

So , does the row of bolts clamp a plate on the back to hold the bending fingers?

 

[Jim Sullivan]

So , does the row of bolts clamp a plate on the back to hold the bending fingers?

Yes. The front plate is about 1 1/2 " thick with a machined groove. There is a flat threaded plate on the back that clamps the fingers.

Now I need Bob to put a nice coat of paint on my brake and I'll be all set.

 

[bobs409]

Rustoleum Cherry red I think it's called.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Either red or blue to match the press.

 

[La Hot Rods]

Paint is overrated.

 

[bobs409]

Paint is overrated.

That's what lazy people say.

 

[Iowa 409 Guy]

Nice piece Jim. Back in 1978 I built a 20 ton press that looked similar to yours. I remember what a pia it was drilling the holes in the uprights. Even with a pilot hole the bit still grabbed big time with the finish bit. The 3/4" drill jerked the crap out of a guy. If you want to get jerked around with a big drill just crank a 4 cyl Contenatial power unit with one....hard on the wrists.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

I've got an old Toastmaster 1/2" drill that was my dad's. That bugger is geared low and twisted my wrists a few times. The switch went bad, so my brother direct wired it. Can't pull the plug out fast enough when it caught, so we retired it.

 

[Iowa 409 Guy]

Hurts don't it????????????????

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Sure does Dave.

 

[Fathead Racing]

Hurts don't it????????????????

As a contractor I have had the pleasure of the Milwaukee 1/2" gear reduction drill motor with a 1" wood bit chucked up. "Ouch" accompanied by a string of creative expletives was the norm. More torque than a small block!

 

[IMBVSUR?]

Right there with you guys. Sure was glad when we got a Mag Drill.

 

[La Hot Rods]

This is one of the press brakes I built, made this one to bend the 1/4 inch flat bar for driveshaft loop.

also bent this shifter handle I built.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

That's cool James. How does it go? Necessity is the mother of invention?
That shifter handle might be calling out to have some oak or maple riveted to the grip.

 

[La Hot Rods]

You got that right Jim, I built this press brake to pull off some close bends to repair a 69 corvette radiator support. I need to try my had a pan and box brake next.

 

[La Hot Rods]

I built this brake on the end of my work bench, built two bars that bolt down to the top of the bench one for sharp bends and one for a more radios bend.
Bent the aluminum dash for Tooth's 69 chevy truck, man was that a job.

 

[bobs409]

Needs paint.