Sheet Metal Brakes

If you are looking for machines that bend or form sheet style metal then you are looking for a sheet metal brake. These are very common in many industries like the HVAC industry where these brakes are used to form Air Conditioning and Heating ducts. They are also very popular in the forming of gutters and downspouts. Many sheet metal brakes used in these applications are mobile and allow the metal forming to be done on site using manual sheet metal brakes.

Body shops and window installation companies are also popular users of sheet metal brakes. Some brakes have forms that can be inserted to insure that every piece of formed metal is exactly like every other piece. When you are making window channels or gutters, this is an important consideration.

Sheet Metal Brake Types

Most of the above applications can get by with a manual sheet metal brake, but as you move up and need to form either heavier gauge or longer pieces of metal then you may require a hydraulic brake. These work well because they use the hydraulics to assist in lifting the heavy metal after the forming has been done.

Both manual and hydraulic metal brakes work the same way. A piece of sheet metal is held securely in place, another metal plate exerts pressure in order to form the bend in the sheet metal. The pieces fit well together so the pressure is evenly distributed along the edge of the metal being formed.

There are small brakes available for the home shop. These are manual types of brakes and can come in useful when doing body work or having for form sheet metal for any other purposes.

The larger sheet metal brakes may also come with a metal shear to cut any remaining edges from the piece be formed.

There are a variety of metal formers from bead rollers, sheet metal notchers, and press brakes.

The type of job you have to do will determine whether you can get by with a manual type of brake or if the thickness of the metal and/or length will necessitate the use of a hydraulic machine. Do not assume you will be forced to purchase a hydraulic machine. Even with the manual machines you can apply a lot of force to the metal being bent. It may take some effort but you can save a lot of money on the purchase of used sheet metal brakes.

There are quite a few brands and models of brakes available for purchase. Probably the most popular brand of sheet metal brakes is the Tapco brand. They have lots of different styles and models to choose from.