I prototype antennas (of my design) in my metalworking shop. Having
sheet metal capability is becoming important, and I don't have any. I
talked to a friend about the 30" three-in-one sheet metal machines,
such as the Grizzly, and he recommended against it. He thought I
would be happier with a box brake and a shear.

A couple of years ago I was at the Boeing Restoration Hangar near
Seattle (anyone from there reading this??). I walked past a nice pair
of tools that were probably 24" wide. I don't remember the name on
them, but they were nice quality, and small enough to fit in my
limited space. I think a full size brake and shear is too much for
me, and I can drive 15 min to borrow same should the need arise.

A notcher may be a good idea, too.

Most of my work will be with aluminum, sometimes brass.

What are your thoughts? Are the 3-in-1 sheet metal machines worth
looking at? Is one brand better than the other? What is a good
source for the smaller size brakes and shears?

Thanks for your wisdom.

-Spencer

On 27 Dec 2003 17:36:26 -0800, (Spencer) wrote:

I prototype antennas (of my design) in my metalworking shop. Having
sheet metal capability is becoming important, and I don't have any. I
talked to a friend about the 30" three-in-one sheet metal machines,
such as the Grizzly, and he recommended against it. He thought I
would be happier with a box brake and a shear.

A couple of years ago I was at the Boeing Restoration Hangar near
Seattle (anyone from there reading this??). I walked past a nice pair
of tools that were probably 24" wide. I don't remember the name on
them, but they were nice quality, and small enough to fit in my
limited space. I think a full size brake and shear is too much for
me, and I can drive 15 min to borrow same should the need arise.

A notcher may be a good idea, too.

Most of my work will be with aluminum, sometimes brass.

What are your thoughts? Are the 3-in-1 sheet metal machines worth
looking at? Is one brand better than the other? What is a good
source for the smaller size brakes and shears?

The only 3-in-1 (roller/break/guilotine) I've used was from Harbour
Freight and the slip roll part of it was rubbish.

The rollers were too skinny -- so when you rolled sheet it was more
tightly curved at the ends than in the middle :-(

What's more, the sheer pin in the roller handle kept breaking every
two minutes even when I replaced it with some drill-rod.


--
you can contact me via http://aardvark.co.nz/contact/

Spencer,
I don't know if you have purchased any equipment yet,but
thought I would recommend a brand I used in the aerospace industry.

The brand type was Bandit. They sell a number of different brake sizes
and are not really cheap, however I never needed to put any money into
the one I bought in the eight years I used it.

The size of my brake was 24" wide. It had mic type back gage, and 20
ton capacity.

Hope this helps?

Robert Stewart

Spencer,
I don't know if you have purchased any equipment yet,but
thought I would recommend a brand I used in the aerospace industry.

The brand type was Bandit. They sell a number of different brake sizes
and are not really cheap, however I never needed to put any money into
the one I bought in the eight years I used it.

The size of my brake was 24" wide. It had mic type back gage, and 20
ton capacity.

Hope this helps?

Robert Stewart

Perfect. This is the kind of info I need.... THANKS!

SW


(Robert Stewart) wrote in message . com...
Spencer,
I don't know if you have purchased any equipment yet,but
thought I would recommend a brand I used in the aerospace industry.

The brand type was Bandit. They sell a number of different brake sizes
and are not really cheap, however I never needed to put any money into
the one I bought in the eight years I used it.

The size of my brake was 24" wide. It had mic type back gage, and 20
ton capacity.

Hope this helps?

Robert Stewart