Thread: A sorta-dodgy micro brake press

I have seen some good right ups on these over the years and they look to work great. It's just another on on the list for me, LOL I have a home made 4 ft folder but it will only do 1-1.2mm at 4ft, of thicker shorter sections. This sort of thing would be more handy with bending flat bar.

Dave

Occasionally on Factoryhub, Ebay etc you may find small fabricated (ie DIY) brake presses. There is no reason why you couldn't use multiple rams with the correct valves and a hydraulic pump. However, if you have the space, the money and the desire to own a press over 6' long it would be easier to buy one.

I would be happy enough with something like yours,

Dave

What I've seen so far is fine. I'm still waiting to see the dodgy bit...

Michael

That looks like tidy work, Squasher. Better than putting it in a vice and smiting.
My press experience is limited, so I found this recent thread on PM quite an eye-opener: Hydraulic Press Safety

Originally Posted by Bryan

That looks like tidy work, Squasher. Better than putting it in a vice and smiting.
My press experience is limited, so I found this recent thread on PM quite an eye-opener: Hydraulic Press Safety

Yes, I admit it is a little dodgy. As mentioned in the OP sometimes stuff does fly out. I do not recommend that anyone else does it in a dodgy fashion... at least attach the 'press tooling' to the ram and the platform properly.

Hi Gerbilsquasher.
To improve your safety margin avoid visits to the doctor. i would make the following adjustments.

1. Fit some rails underneath the black plate in Pic #4 to stop back and forward slippage.

2. Do a similar thing to locate the vee blade on center with the plate under ram shaft.The vee blade would ideally would have a plate welded to it in a tee configuration which could then be aligned with flats or angles under the ram plate.

3. Should you feel the need to press material that could fracture ,ie; cast iron ,fit a containment grill across the front press face.



By keeping your pressings centered and contained you will greatly reduce prospects of the wayward hardware whistling past your head.

Grahame

Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

Do a similar thing to locate the vee blade on center with the plate under ram shaft.The vee blade would ideally would have a plate welded to it in a tee configuration which could then be aligned with flats or angles under the ram plate.

Or weld the blade (via a backing plate) to a collar of pipe that fits around the ram. Pipe is easy to alter in diameter by cutting a slice out of it and spreading or squeezing it to suit.

Nice idea though, and something I've been threatening to do with my press. I've also thought about combining a generic pipe bender with the press.

Cheers

You all do realise that you can buy a similar setup from several on-line suppliers (such as Lee Valley) that just goes in a standard metal workers vice - takes up much less space, no flying bits of metal, springs or hydraulics etc.? Armstrong powered

Its really simple & you could make one from a chunky piece of scrap with a hacksaw & file (I'm too lazy, I bought mine). When you are finished it just goes back in the drawer.

There are even ones with adjustable fingers if you look around (Micromark IIRC)

Looks really good, I have a double acting hydraulic cylinder I'd like to build a narrow press around. Being able to pull as well as push would allow the use of broaches for keyways ,squares and hexes.

Originally Posted by bsrlee

Its really simple & you could make one from a chunky piece of scrap with a hacksaw & file (I'm too lazy, I bought mine).

Got a pic?

Originally Posted by Bryan

Got a pic?

Here you go Bryan.
H&F have had them for 1-2 years now

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Vi...sbrake-Benders

Dave

My homemade press uses an 8 T jack so it is mounted up the other way. I have a plate under it with a 1 inch rod welded on. Interchangable bits are attached to this rod. I have used a piece of channel with cross bracing welded in to bend 16 mm square. I am in the process of making a sheet metal bender that will take 1100mm width. That was the angle length I had, 1100 plus hinges. Hinges are 25mm diam, 16mm pin, welded on.

Is that the tip of the ram sticking out past the metal plate with the springs. A bit hard to tell from the pictures. From Grahame's comments he is under the impression the plate does the pushing. Just nosy.

I think somthing of the likes of the angle block could be easily welded up from bits of plate and a V point to attach to the ram of the press. May look a bit rough but should work. I have a heap of angled brackets salvaged from work and need to make up some angled brackets for guttering. Got to check if the ones I have will do or if I have to make more. If so I will be making said jig.

Dean

Hi

I made up a few basic dies to press out some bits for a new Land Rover tailgate I made

It worked out very good, I have a cheap Super Crap auto press , but it managed to press the aluminium sheet out OK .

The original method of fixing the tailgate together was by spot welds . I used C/ sunk rivets and liquid nails . It's now a stronger tailgate than the original method of spot welding