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Sheet Metal Folder

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KMP03/08/2011 21:23:40
73 forum posts
2 photos
Hi, I need to do a little bit of sheet metal work using 1mm mild steel sheet a maximum of 750mm long. Having spent some time chasing secondhand box and pan folders without success I am now considering one of the "multi formers" that are sold. If anyone has one or has used one could you advise on their ability. I know the spec says 0.6mm but will they shear 1mm? Will they fold slightly over 90 degrees? Any advice experience would be much appreciated.
 
Regards
Keith
Keith Wood 104/08/2011 12:14:30
16 forum posts
1 photos
Keith
 
I purchased the 12" wide 3in1 machine.
 
It will not cut steel over 0.020" thick.
 
It bends to approx 95 degress bend through angle.
 
My guess is that the wider the machine the more flexible the blade.
 
Keith W
Montreal
Canada
KMP04/08/2011 18:25:04
73 forum posts
2 photos
Keith Hi,
 
Thanks for that, actual experience is always better than reading the specifications. While the bending angle would just do the job, if the shearing capacity is close to your experience and to be fair to their stated capacity, I will need to look elsewhere. Much deeper into my pocket I fear but still better than wasting my money. Thanks very much for your post it's much appreciated.
 
Regards
Keith
 
PS We spent a great time in Montreal last year round Canada day, great city. We will as they say "be back".
Gordon W05/08/2011 16:04:41
2011 forum posts
Hi, KMP. I do a fair bit of metal bashing and bending, mostly for car type bits. I usually use gilbow snips for cutting, for heavy stuff put one leg in vice and a lever on the other, for 1mm I use a jigsaw, with a fence for straight lines. Bending I use a lump of heavy angle in vice and a hammer, never got round to making a bender. This all sounds a bit crude, but it works well enough for what I need. I did have a bought lever type shear and it would not do anything like the stated thickness, can't remember the make.
WALLACE05/08/2011 17:05:48
304 forum posts
17 photos
Am electric jig saw is effective (but noisy !) for sheet steel . It has the big advantage of not distorting the cut edge unlike a pair of gilbows.
 
WALLACE.
Michael Cox 105/08/2011 18:10:08
555 forum posts
27 photos
Hi Keith,
you might also consider using a nibbler for cutting. RDG (www.rdgtools.co.uk) do one for about £25 that fits a standard portable electic drill. This will cut 1mm thick steel, at high speed, without any problems and gives a clean, distortion free edge. You need to guide it using a piece of wood clamped to the sheet as a straight edge. (You can also cut curves with a suitable template).
I have one of these tools and it is excellent. I have modified it slightly to make it easier to use, see
Mike
chris stephens05/08/2011 18:40:30
1049 forum posts
1 photos
Hi Keith,
There are still local metal suppliers about who can supply and bend sheet for you while you wait, well, at least there is one in the Chiswick area of west London. It might be an alternative to find a similar supplier, rather than shelling out your hard earned on something that might only be used once in a blue moon.
chriStephens
KMP09/08/2011 22:27:53
73 forum posts
2 photos
Hi Guys,
 
Thank you all for a good ole dose of common sense and pragmatism. Dug out some bench shears that I had been "storing" and combined with a nibbler that fitted into my electric drill I was able to cut out the required shape with I must say little problem. Then up to the local industrial estate and found a chap working on his own who folded it for me in all of two minutes for the price of a couple of pints. Job done as they say, or it will be after I weld it up tomorrow. Not instant success though as the first "fabricator" I approached wanted a drawing (for 4 folds) and £40 +Vat to do it when he could fit it in.
 
So thanks again guys excellent advice and I think I have found a new friend; when we were talking he mentioned that he needed a couple of spacers for one of his machines - I'll deliver them tomorrow morning.
 
Best regards
Keith
ady09/08/2011 23:53:13
612 forum posts
50 photos
That nibbler sounds like a great little thing.
 
...another useful "gadget" for the workshop...

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