Sheet metal break
Sheet metal break
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,057
Likes: 2,420
From: NY and VA
There is an book on ebay about building a metal brake. I just punched in "metal brake" also looking at the pics helps. It depends upon what you want to do with it and how heavy (thickness) the metal is.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
It's not too hard, depending on what exactly you want to do with it. If you only are doing flanges in flat pieces, then you could make one out of heavy-gauge (3/8" wall or thicker) 3" angle, but if you want an adjustable box brake, then it gets tricky. For what you spend on materials, plus your time, about the only thing you'd get out of it is the "I built this" feeling.
You can get a 30" 3-in-1 box brake for less than $400, and that also rolls and shears.
You can get a 30" 3-in-1 box brake for less than $400, and that also rolls and shears.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
what Ford_Six said. Add up the materials costs with todays steel prices, and you'll come out about the same as a built one. Then add in your labor. As an alternative, check out some local industrial auctions.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
I agree. I made a receiver hitch recently and the cost of steel was so high that I think I would have been better off just buying one. (I do tend to overbuild things like that though.)
