|
|
 Posted - December 29 2014 : 9:03:12 PM
|
I'm starting another adventure in the mad scientist lab and lack a sheet metal brake. I do how ever own a vise. I need to bend a few right angles on a brass strip. I'm thinking of making a small little cut where I want to bend to help. Anyone tried this before? I don't wanna dump money on a miniature brake yet.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
|
Country:  USA ~
Posts: 3147 ~
Member Since: May 07 2007 ~
Last Visit: June 10 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - December 29 2014 : 9:20:48 PM
|
Done that many times myself. It helps to use a flat piece of wood to push against the metal evenly.
If your vise has ridges or knurling, you can put two pieces of wood or two pieces of 90 degree aluminum angle in the vise jaws to provide a smooth surface to clamp against the sheetmetal.
A brake is useful for making many bends repeatable to a certain angle. If you are just making a few pieces, a vise will do the job.
Also, I would not cut or scribe a line at the bend. More than likely the sheetmetal will fail at the scribe line when you bend it.
Unspoken expectations are premeditated failures.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 825 ~
Member Since: December 22 2008 ~
Last Visit: March 16 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - December 29 2014 : 9:25:26 PM
|
I haven't done it on brass, but other metal. The trick is keeping the teeth of the vise from marring the metal. The vise may have reversible clamping surface. One smooth side, the other textured. I'd clamp it in place, score lightly with an xacto and use a piece of 1x2 hardwood (oak, etc) to press the edge over. How thick is the brass?
Tim
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 259 ~
Member Since: October 23 2014 ~
Last Visit: March 28 2017
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - December 29 2014 : 9:59:24 PM
|
oh my dad has a metal vise 10ft long to bend stuffs with 
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 14908 ~
Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: June 17 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - December 29 2014 : 10:29:03 PM
|
This is avery common technique used in metalsmithing referred to as a file and fold. You can use a jewelers file to make a v shaped cut at the bend line or a quick and dirty method is to use a Dremel cutoff wheel and then clean up the cut with the file. In metalsmithing we commonly silver solder the joint after it has been folded for a super clean and strong joint that can be filed down square. here is an example of a file and fold that I did recently. The entire bracket is made from a single piece of flat stock 18g copper and then folded to the shape you see. As you can see the soldered joint is virtually invisible.
Edited by - metalsmith1 on December 29 2014 10:30:08 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 867 ~
Member Since: December 21 2013 ~
Last Visit: December 08 2016
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - December 29 2014 : 10:55:05 PM
|
Handsome job! I'm far away from grade A metal smith work!
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3147 ~
Member Since: May 07 2007 ~
Last Visit: June 10 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - December 29 2014 : 11:31:46 PM
|
This is, perhaps, a question for Metalsmith's expertise, but I throw it out for anyone who knows the answer:
I can kind of recall there being a ratio between the thickness of a piece of metal and the radius of the tightest bend you can put in it without it cracking.
Does anyone have some knowledge of this or perhaps a name for it that would be used in looking up the information?
Thanks
Carpe Manana!
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 2406 ~
Member Since: September 17 2013 ~
Last Visit: June 17 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - December 30 2014 : 07:19:58 AM
|
quote:This is, perhaps, a question for Metalsmith's expertise, but I throw it out for anyone who knows the answer:
I can kind of recall there being a ratio between the thickness of a piece of metal and the radius of the tightest bend you can put in it without it cracking.
Does anyone have some knowledge of this or perhaps a name for it that would be used in looking up the information?
Thanks
Originally posted by scsshaggy - December 29 2014 : 11:31:46 PM
|
Yes, there is a definite ratio of metal thickness to bend radius. I have charts for several different grades of aluminum. Certainly there are charts for various metals on the internet.
I think they are simply labeled "bend radius" charts. Thin brass can be bent to a fairly tight radius.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 825 ~
Member Since: December 22 2008 ~
Last Visit: March 16 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - December 30 2014 : 08:39:31 AM
|
quote:I think they are simply labeled "bend radius" charts.
Originally posted by NC shortlines - December 30 2014 : 07:19:58 AM
|
Thanks. I tried that out on Google and got some good results. 
Carpe Manana!
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 2406 ~
Member Since: September 17 2013 ~
Last Visit: June 17 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Forum Admins & Mods
Register
