I have been kicking around the idea of doing all my metal fab myself. I have been looking at the Eastwood shrinker/stretcher. I was considering the Woodward fab but I would have to get a second body (the W.F. is one body and 2 sets of jaws) from what I gather, swapping the jaws isnt terrible but having 2 bodies helps you fine tune the shape by going back and forth between the 2 tools.... So I have the shrinker stretcher situation under control but I am open to suggestions.

I would assume that Id need a sheet metal brake and would like a bead roller because I will be (at least I would really like to) fab up replacement floor pans, firewall setback and some other odds/ends. I am somewhat limited on space but ran across

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hc...QTmBoCU27w_wcB


Does anyone have any suggestions on the above link. What would you get if you were in my boat?

 

I think you will find that machine too small for most things. 12" and 20 ga capacity.......
If making floor pans, etc, I would want at least 36" and 18 ga capable. I'd look around for some older, used USA made machines....the new imported stuff is pretty flimsy.

 

I have the Eastwood set and advise against it. It's just not made for the heavier gauge metals and gets little use. A beverly shear is a good investment. Takes up little space and very useful. It and my band saw gets more use than anything else.

 

I really enjoy doing metal fabrication but justifying the cost of tooling and shop space needed is not an easy thing. I have been using the local college for my metal working and paint shop tools. By enrolling in the auto body and paint class it gives me access to every tool I need for metal fabrication, mig welders, tig welders, plasma cutters and state of the art spray booths. Going back to school gave me the best bang for my buck and it leaves my shop space and dollars free for other things.

 

This is a smart idea. I know a lot of the better tech schools receive gift tools and equipment from manufacturers or sell at a cheaper price so the tech school can teach with the good stuff and the company gets advertisement for their products, hoping students buy their stuff once they get working out on their own.

 

The combo machine is just too small and light duty for much more than making small boxes and doodads.
i have Mittler Brothers shrinker stretcher (legitimately rated to 16 ga) they offered a 2 body set and a separate basic stand for both (I'd make the stand if I were to do it again). I agree on the minimum 36" brake with 18 ga capacity a heavy duty clamping system for the clamp (look for something that looks like it belongs on a bridge!) That can be easily adjusted fore and aft to adjust for metal thickness and/or radiused bends.
Slip roller is not as important, you can rig up something to bend around and you are always going to need a different radius than what it makes.
Same for the bead roller make sure it has a high enough capacity (the ones harbor fright and Eastwood sell do not) and throat depth. Buy a powered one if at all possible otherwise it is a two person job with anything as large as a (1/2) floor pan.
I would recommend haunting the used industrial tool sales and auctions and planning on spending a fair amount of money and needing a lot of space. A minimum sheet metal fab shop size would be a single car garage. There are far less expensive (but more time consuming) methods for fabbing 1 or a few individual parts, unless you are planning on going into the business or have very deep pockets.