Landy-Novice Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 hello all, i thinking in buying a metal folder which is capable of folding 2mm(14sgw) steel but had no luck so far! i was thinking would a Clarke thingy do it? http://www.machinema...et-metal-folder i no it says .7mm but theres always a 'safety cousin' has someone got one that has done this? of could experiment for me? or any other suggestions? thank you. james Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Well I guess it ultimately depends on the width of the piece as well as the thickness, but if you were to try a full width piece of 2mm I think those hinge pins would break off.... even if they held the centre part would be unlikely to fold neatly as the bender would flex. I think you would be wasting your money expecting that to work .... JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longlandy Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Well I guess it ultimately depends on the width of the piece as well as the thickness, but if you were to try a full width piece of 2mm I think those hinge pins would break off.... even if they held the centre part would be unlikely to fold neatly as the bender would flex. I think you would be wasting your money expecting that to work .... JMHO I agree, especially the coment about centre flex, which is a problem ,even on good machines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 what if i weld some angle along the centre and reinforce to hinges, would this work?? or where i can get one from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobotMan Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Don't forget that the gap might not be big enough to slide 2.0mm in never mind fold it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 good point, i never though of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forkrentfitter Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 i took a drawing off the machine mart one that a mate had,used thicker angle and bigger hinge pins,works on 2mm ok,but you dont get a good tight bend at full width,up to3/4 width is good though,took me an afternoon to make out of what i had laying around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 i have one of those clarke ones and its rubbish - it wont bend 1.2mm cleanly - the thing flexes too much, and so the ends bend at 90 degrees, but it curves out in the middle, so you end up with a curved edge that you end up havng to hammer and dolly to get straight. 2mm just wouldnt work in one of them i;m afraid! Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 so what can i do?? get some plans, 'acquire' some stuff and fab one up? anyone got any plans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 How wide do you need it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 i dunno! i reckon 2FT is good enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 You could try building something like the one here http://www.old.bd-4....ndingbrake.html I would also add adjustable bracing like on the one here http://www.ablett.jp..._me_a_brake.htm Don't make it any wider than needed as that will just increase the likelihood of centre flex, and use the heaviest gauge steel you can find ....... Or you could take Nige's approach and buy a 50 ton press and make nice hydraulic folder BTW There is a reason that decent ones cost a lot of money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 Nige's idea would be good if i could afford £900?!! lucky bugger!! they look good but i need dimensions!! im not experienced enough to make something blind. ill have to have a detailed search tomorrow! see if i can find anything, if i do, ill report back. cheers cwazywabbit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 What do you plan on making with it? If it's for a one of job you may finder it cheaper/easier to go to a sheet metal place and get them to fold it for you..... Good luck with the searching, 2mm steel is quite a thick sheet to bend so whatever plans you do find uprate the thickness of any plate or angle if you can .... it won't do any harm and increased rigidity will increase your chances of a proper neat bend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 I've got to make some sills up for next door!! good advice! ill see what i can find in the morning (my bed is calling me ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete3000 Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 The boys over at mig-welding are handy! couple of links http://www.mig-weldi...read.php?t=3710 http://www.mig-weldi...read.php?t=6654 one is sized for 2mm or more? 8mm thick x50mm angle so you can see the thickness you need etc Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcock Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I bought a wolf branded one a few years ago found it far better value than the clark, It has a larger capacity and cheaper. Had a look an found them still for sale @ (http://www.ukhs.tv/Workshop/Other-Workshop-Equipment-Tools/Bench-Top-Sheet-Metal-Folder ) maybe worth a look. although I haven't bent much with it and no where near 2mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I have the Clarke bender - it's no good with 2mm plate. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 (edited) ballcock- would it be cheeky if i asked you to try folding some 2mm? cheers les, im think in gunna have to make one! Edited September 17, 2011 by Landy-Novice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcock Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 ballcock- would it be cheeky if i asked you to try folding some 2mm? cheers les, im think in gunna have to make one! That would be cheeky Unfortunately I have no 2mm plate, I don't think the machine would bend it without modification or causing damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Bear in mind that if you start making a hefty vice mounted folder you will need a very hefty vice, and a substantial bench to hold it with. If you want to look at some drawings, and some explanation of the design concept, Integerspin on here has built quite a few folders, see them here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 just gunna get a price for some angle, im gunna make a 36inch one, and i think the thinness should be 50x50x8mm, does this sound right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 just gunna get a price for some angle, im gunna make a 36inch one, and i think the thinness should be 50x50x8mm, does this sound right? Depends on the design you use, 3ft of 8mm sounds a bit light to me if it's not braced. But you could always build it unbraced and try, if/when it flexes just add bracing till it doesn't. Or if the metal you are bending isn't particularly deep you may be able to just use some G-clamps to stop flexing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 ok, 50x50x10mm lol, if that flexes then i will add bracing!, i think i got some old angle somewhere, god knows how much this will cost!! cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrfarmer Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 justseen thes one on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kendrick-Pneumatic-Air-Operated-Bender-Folder-Acc-/250887885544?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item3a6a1552e8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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