Bending Curves Sheet Metal

Most frequently expensive sheet metal bending tools called brakes are used to bend sheet metal but you can also complete this task without one.

Bending curves sheet metal.

Make sure the first bend mark lines up exactly with the curve in the form so that the bending will begin in the right spot. Use the minimum bend dimension values in the charts below for your minimum closeness of cutout to a bend. Geometry of tooling imposes a minimum bend dimension. The inside bend radius should be equal to the thickness of the material that you re forming.

Using protective gloves hold the free end of the metal sheet with one hand and with the other hand use a mallet or hammer to begin bending the sheet down and around the curved radius of the wood form. Bending sheet metal by hand is a manageable task if the piece of sheet metal is small and thin enough to handle. Refer to the chart for values for folder as well as various press brake tooling combinations. Clamp the wood on top of the metal to the workbench.

Mark a bend line and place the sheet metal on the edge of your bench. The diagram shows one such mechanism. Finally bend the sheet up by hand to the angle desired. The average hack requires at least one angled metal part and the best tool to make one is still the good ol press brake.

Bending is one of the most common sheet metal fabrication operations. Next place the wood parallel and slightly behind the bending line. If you want a sharp 90 bend tap along the crease with a mallet. This is done through the application of force on a workpiece.

If you re bending 0 020 thick material use a 0 020 radius. In other words if you re bending 1 8 sheet use a tool with a 1 8 radius to form the inside of the bend.