My new favorite CHEAP Harbor Freight tool!

▼EXPAND THIS SECTION FOR IMPORTANT INFO▼
★THIS VIDEO WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY★
*Please help support us by using the link above for a quick look around!*
(If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission)

*Some other useful links:*

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★

(If you use one of the affiliate links above, we may receive a small commission)

[StumpyNubs]

▼EXPAND THIS SECTION FOR IMPORTANT INFO▼
★THIS VIDEO WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY★
*Please help support us by using the link above for a quick look around!*
(If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission)

*Some other useful links:*

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★

(If you use one of the affiliate links above, we may receive a small commission)

[hartvanmeter]

Awesome improvement to the Harbor Freight tool. The flat clamping bar should have a rounded edge to accommodate the minimum bend radius of the sheet metal being bent. This will avoid having stress cracking on the outside of each bend. Aluminum is particularly susceptible to this stress. The bar could actually be ground with four different radii, one on each edge to accommodate a larger variety of metal thickness. The bend radius should be stamped into the bar to indicate which one was positioned against the workpiece.

[supergimp]

Love this. Nothing like getting 60-70% there from HF and making it 100% yourself.

[Cecil_X]

I bought one of those benders back in 1980 or 1981. It is not a high use tool for me, but it has saved me a few times. In fact this past spring, I picked up some of that copper coated aluminum and used it for a project. I will make your mod, because it will save me some time and the use of my magic words 🙂

[CaseyRevoir]

Grab a green cutting mat at the dollar store to glue onto that base. Then you would have a labeled measuring grid too. Great work!

[olsonspeed]

I completely agree, the HF sheet metal bender is crude and needs your upgrades to be a useful tool.

[Farm_fab]

Placing a nut on a bolt before cutting make a thread chaser, and makes for a saw guide when cutting. In some occasions, it may be necessary to double nut them with either a standard nut, or a thinner jam nut. This helps to prevent the nut from turning as the saw cuts the bolt.

[junkredo]

I bought this bender and threw it in a corner of my shop in frustration a year ago. I’m going to dig it out and fix it now, thank you!

[aaronp]

As someone who works with sheet metal, I agree that this is an upgrade to the HF bender, good enough for a home DIY project here and there but anything more would be better served with a higher grade sheet metal break

[rjtumble]

What a nice little project, thanks. I've always thought a brake would be a cool tool to have around, but didn't think I'd use it enough to justify the expense. This makes that decision a little easier.

[olddawgdreaming]

That's a really good idea James ! Thanks for sharing with us. Stay safe and keep up the fun too. Fred.

[revtmyers]

I had to laugh because I have had one of those for 7 years now and only used it a couple of times because of it being a pain. Like the fixture you created for it.

[johndough]

I would think that it would be best to apply a clear poly top-coat on the Copper, to prevent corrosion. It would also help prevent nicks, dents, and scratches... especially if its applied thick enough. This might be more critical, if people are wearing shoes in the house. Copper is quite soft, and can scratch and dent quite easily. And any liquids / moisture spattered on to it, could cause spots of corrosion.

[aafo]

I have used the same tool for decades for making Al enclosures for electronics. I also use copper clad board for circuit construction.
Something for someone to try and experiment with. I coat copper, after a cleaning without chemicals that may tarnish the surface
after a long period of time, with a very thin coat of Rust-O-leum for protection. You have a choice of shiny and matte. Warning.
Rust-O-leum creates a touch coating that is tough, which is problem in removing for some areas in electronic soldering.
Should be great for cosmetic finishes. Just an idea. I will be adding your fixture to the metal brake for future use. Many thanks.

[buzzmooney]

I'm an HVAC Installer; I've installed hundreds of miles of duct, built or rebuilt huge numbers of fittings, and operated brakes ranging from small benchtops, to a 19-ton hydraulic press brake.
Imagine my surprise, when I see that your WOODWORKING channel is showing a video on a SHEET METAL tool; one which is sitting in my shop, right now. Ine which I rarely use, for the same reasons you give: Mainly that top jaw that has to be reset and reclamped for EVERY bend! My only question is how did you secure the lever handles? Mine simply slide in/fall out. Set screws?
Anyway, it was a pleasant surprise to see you tackle the exact same tool that so disappointed me! Now I have to bookmark this video, so I can make my HF cheapobrake usable!

[aceroadholder]

I bought the same tool from HF. I purchased the smallest one so it would be easier to stow away. I also made a spring arrangement, so the clamping bar is released when the wing nuts are backed off.
It is mentioned in the comments that it is difficult to fold a box. Large bending brakes have removable fingers to get around the interference of the already folded edges.
I got around this problem by using a length of Aluminum angle for the hold-down bar. The angle is mounted with the ears pointed down and the rounded edges of the angle milled so the angle sits flat on the platen and thus gives a sharp bend.
The trick then is to saw slots in the Aluminum to allow the ears of the already folded ears to pass through the clamping bar. If you do a lot of bending jobs and the Aluminum clamping bars is getting too many slots cut in it, another can be made in a few minutes. Better yet, make 2 or 3 bars at one time out of the 3ft piece of Aluminum angle you bought at the hardware store.

[boxingfavsmg]

Awesome! Love it!
So bizarre this showed up on my feed tonight. I bought this bender 10-15 yrs ago used it for one project. Was frustrated with it. Had to use it last night for another project. Good thing I saw this today or the other project would have gotten delayed 😂

[mikehodges]

I have this same metal brake from HF and had the same frustration with it. Thank you for showing a way to make it useable.

[jackthompson]

I enjoyed watching you describe your modifications to the inexpensive sheet metal break.

[austinturney]

Good video with good ideas. Clever improvements to cheap Harbor Freight tools that many of us have (including me that exact model) is a very useful short video topic area. Do morelike this if they come up.