Metal bending brake: layout 3

[Dan]

Im back with some more pictures of the last few peices of our bending brake project. The first picture is a front view of the modified 3" X 5" angle iron, which is called the bending leaf. Besides the modification (stated in a previous post) that I made to the 1 1/2" dimension on this part, because I didn t have the 1 1/4" flat bar for the stiffeners, I made one more change. The change was to the 1 3/4 " dimension on the notches. I changed it to 1 1/2" to help increase the strength of the part a little more. However, there has been no sign of a problem from using the original dimension. The original machine was designed and fabricated at such a quick pace that the dimension of the notch was made a little to generous. Anyway, here is the first picture.

[Dan]

This next picture is just a side view of the bending leaf. Just showning you the modified 3" leg.

[Dan]

The next picture is of the stiffeners that are welded onto the bending leaf. I know in the drawing I gave dimensions for the angle cut, but this angle doesn t really need to match those dimensions. I d leave the 4" dimesion and cut the peice to what ever angle you like. The only reason I angled this cut instead of just cutting a 90 degree cut is because I think it looks better.

[Dan]

This picture is of the bending leaf handle. Ther are actually two of this part I wasn t thinking and took the picture of just one of them. So remember you need two of them.

[Dan]

This picture is a front view of a simulated assembly of the previous parts in this posting.

[Dan]

This next picture is just a side view of the same simulation.

[Dan]

This last picture is just to show you how tight of a fit up that Im able to create at the radius using my stationary belt/disc sander combo machine.

[morpheus]

Great stuff Dan !

What size belt/disc combo machine do you have ?

- jack

[Dan]

Originally posted by morpheus
Great stuff Dan !

What size belt/disc combo machine do you have ?

- jack

Jack

Actually I have 2 different belt/disc combo machine. One has a 1" wide belt and an 8" disc. The other has a 6" wide belt and a 9" disc. The 6" belt/ 9" disc works better on metal because it has a heavier duty induction 3/4 hp motor. where as the 1" belt/ 8" disc only has a 1/3 hp induction motor.

I can remove material at a good rate with the larger machine. The motor on the smaller machine gets hot if you apply to much pressure.

Originally, I was going to get a 6" belt/ 12" disc combo Industrial duty machine, but decided that I didn t want to spend the money for it. You should have seen the look on my wifes face when I decided to buy the next machine down from the heavy duty industrial. She wanted to take me to the doctors office. Reason being because up to this point I had purchased a 7" X 12" bandsaw and a heavy duty floor model drill press. The drill press has a 1 1/2 hp induction motor on it and the entire machine weighs over 500 lbs. I had to bring the machine into the shop one peice at a time. I had to have my dad help me put the head onto the column. Im not looking forward to the day when I have to move this machine. Anyway, I ve done more than answer your question.