One for the fabricators - sheet steel bending

I need to bend a piece of rectangular sheet steel, 770mm x 95mm as best I can in this profile.



Its doesn't have to be perfect. TBH a couple of mm out in any of the measurements is probably fine. The gauge I've been using is around 1.4mm. Although 1mm to around 1.6mm would be fine also.

Question is, how the hell do I bend it?

I mean, sheet metal benders will happily do the bends in the same direction, but how do I bend back the two 15mm ends?

I'm in the process of making a folding device, but its out of 50mmx50mm angle. So the smallest backward bend would need to be at least 50mm away from the inward bends to not impeach the folding machine itself.

I've tried doing it by clamping the sheet and hammering the bends, but it turned out ****. Any ideas how to do it properly?

Where in essex are you ?

my user name gives you idea of how I can help you if you are local

/\ /\ /\ WHS - you need a pressbrake really, you could use some box and a hammer to make the bend, thats what I would do but a pressbrake will give a much better finish...

Cut and weld?

vette

Jongould said:

/\ /\ /\ WHS - you need a pressbrake really, you could use some box and a hammer to make the bend, thats what I would do but a pressbrake will give a much better finish...

Click to expand...

That's kinda what I tried already. As I said it came out ****.



Its slightly curved and twisted and doesn't fit in the gap in needs to.

PMs sent to Hamsterberg and Pressbrake re: location.

uk_vette said:

Cut and weld?

vette

Click to expand...

I did think about that, but really I want something a bit neater. The two 15mm pieces will be hiding some really horrible cuts and welds.

mundungus said:

I did think about that, but really I want something a bit neater. The two 15mm pieces will be hiding some really horrible cuts and welds.

Click to expand...

and it would bend like a banana

pressbrake said:

my user name gives you idea of how I can help you if you are local

Click to expand...

and i thought you sold brakes



That looks very much like a disco boot floor replacement length???

If so...

If you end up getting some made let us know how much, I could possibly do with a few replacement lengths to weld in making up

My pan folder has a removable angle on the front plate so that you can bend returns of around 15mm. Anything below that and you need someone with a good quality offset pressbrake. The minimum reverse return I have access to on a pressbrake is 45mm. Wish I had 25k spare for a newer all singing machine.

Not that any of this helps you, of course! I'm sure you'll get sorted out though.

Bede said:

My pan folder has a removable angle on the front plate so that you can bend returns of around 15mm. Anything below that and you need someone with a good quality offset pressbrake. The minimum reverse return I have access to on a pressbrake is 45mm. Wish I had 25k spare for a newer all singing machine.

Not that any of this helps you, of course! I'm sure you'll get sorted out though.

Click to expand...

Do you have a lazar cutter? Assume you're based in Stoke?

I made my own press brake, bends up to 6mm. I think I still have the drawings if you want them.

Yes, based in Newcastle Under Lyme.

No, we don't have a laser cutter, we buy profiles cut though.

owl said:

I made my own press brake, bends up to 6mm. I think I still have the drawings if you want them.

Click to expand...

what did you use for the parts that form the bend..the v shape bits. id be interested in the plans if you dont mind

Paulmitchell1984 said:

what did you use for the parts that form the bend..the v shape bits. id be interested in the plans if you dont mind

Click to expand...

It was designed to fold 2 to 6mm with a 12 ton ram so the die is quite wide about an inch. It could be redesigned to bend larger sizes of thinner sheet tooling often pops up on ebay. the tooling on mine is made out of bright steel which seems to have work hardened somewhat, it folds up to 60 degs and can make two folds within 2" and has a pass through so if perfect for all the one of brackets that need making when building a vehicle.

excellent, cheers gives me something to look into, just need to find some tooling now