On Wed, 18 Jan 2017 07:47:21 -0500, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:

"Larry Jaques" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 17 Jan 2017 19:41:28 -0600, Ignoramus24879
wrote:


I would be too scared to be int he vicinity of that cold saw.

I think I just might make a guard for the blade, y'know?


Out of curiosity, have you ever made anything out of steel plate
that's too thick to bend with hand tools?

My limited facilities for cutting and bending it strongly restrict
what I can design and build. The blade guard for my bandsaw lumber
mill is wood. This is the only inexpensive flat stock bending tool
I've found and it's limited to 4" width:
http://www.eastwood.com/4-inch-metal-bender.html

No, I haven't, being in the same boat as you. Luckily, my Griz 18"
bandsaur came with a nice metal guard.

I bought an HF tabletop bender but haven't yet used it. It's more for
band/strip/tubing, and small square/round stock though.


1/8" steel appears to be the limit for the Enco 8" bench shear, and it
distorts one side. If you are shearing a strip from a large sheet the
strip may have to be on the distorted side.

Do you have the fence/foot for it? If not, consider making one. I've
used them with and without, and WITH is the way to go. No more bent
stock (or shears!)

Hammers and dollies are your friends, too, where applicable.

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