How To Bend Sheet Metal Without A Sheet Metal Brake

I did buy a vise attachment for bending. Haven’t tried it yet but looking forward to

Why not perforate with elongated holes along the bent line instead ? It will not lead to fracture as fast as cutting along the ende as you did.
Overall a good video though.

Thank you for taking the time to make this video it help me a lot.

Very cool. I have a project ATV that needs floorboards.
2pieces of metal, each with 2bends. I'm going to have to try this because I can't afford a machine for 4 short bends. Thanks for posting this 👍👍

Very nice and clear explanation. You’re real cool. Thank you!

Great video! Thank you!

Thank you

Thank you! I need to bend and fab a small piece to fix my rusty shock tower

Bend it the best that you can using the edge of the bench. Then get in there with a block of wood and a hammer still clamped to the bench. And if you use a little art and finesse, it will look as good or better than the bend from the giant hydraulic brake. Not as fast, but also not 10,000 bucks.

I think this is a great video. I have watched many old school tradesman fix or fab up things with these old time must know "tricks of the trade". These simple, but not always easy tasks separate the men from the boys. Thanks for sharing, as this type of knowledge benefits young men out there trying to become skilled tradesmen.

SHARP Presentation. TY

Good stuff dude

What if you put the cut/ score on the inside of the bend? And before you bend it - you give the cut a quick hit with some spray paint to seal it off from rusting?

Thanks Doug. No link to the VG bender tool. I am going to attempt to bend 0.125 aluminum diamond tread using this method. I like the radius bend, so to not crack the metal... if I can figure out how to allow for the radius. I have bent this metal before by clamping, like you did, but used a hammer and arm strength, but of course, hammer leaves dents.

Great job Doug, very helpful.

Great video! Thanks! I have to replace some sections of 16 gauge sheet metal on an old 1948 Missouri Pacific caboose roof. Likely around 60 feet altogether, and I am thinking in 8 foot long (max) sections since that is what I am seeing available. Can this technique be used for pieces as long as 8 feet? It's for the edges of the caboose, so the pieces will be rounded over instead of a tight bend.

excellent, great information Thanks , now I'm off to bend to a deflector plate,

Smart dude...👌

I love your idea

Do you have any tips for bending stainless steel beyond 90 degrees to like 60 or 45?

Great video thank you. :)

Fabulous video! I was just told by my makerspace that they could not help me build molds for my fused glass designs. I am definitely going to try this technique. Thank you so much.

Interesting. Never owned break, but wanted to. But do have to say this. I have 2 large 3"x3" Angle iron sections. each end directly in center of the V just drilled a 3/4 hole and stuck a bolt each one lol Just line the sheet metal up top one on line impact gun each one half way each time till perfect 90 lol! Been doing sheets of 1/8 stainless 3foot long now for last 5 years that way only takes few seconds! I'm a southern redneck what can I say! but honestly if I had the 20 grand to buy a hydraulic break like yours lolz

Wear ppe with that angle grinder.

Awesome tip

straight to the point. thank you.

U can also take a small sledge to the corner

Thank you

Thank you for this great video and providing an alternative. Wouldn't the cut in the metal weaken the strength of the metal. I need to do a Z cut with only 2 inches in between for the channeled floor pan on my hot rod . Do you usually add a bead of welding to increase rigidity?

Exactly what I was looking for a easy way to bend stainless steel at home with out a brake, gonna make a camper trailer kitchen from my old stainless steel bbq

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Excellent video. I'll use these tips as I am an amateur at DIY Vehicle Sheet metal repair.

I'm trying too make a small sheet metal fuse relay box for under the hood around 9x5x2" I didn't know how expensive thay are even the cheapest plastic ones. Thanks for the video .

Is it possible to make an open hem fold on a 16 gauge stainless steel piece that is 1.5 inch width using this method??? I was think if I clamped down a much thinner piece and I bent it up instead of down then it would work - but that’s just me thinking and I have zero experience. I’m desperate for a solution and can’t find a tool to do this that’s under $200.

Awesome, thank you Doug! Have you ever tried bending 11 GA (0.116") carbon steel or thicker with the vice clamps? Did it require scoring with the angle grinder? Thank you!

HFT doesn't seem to sell this central machinery sheet metal brake anymore.

Will heating the area to be bent red hot and then bending it affect the strength of the steel?

Great video! Thank you very much!!!!

Thanks so much sir am from Nigeria (Eastern Part) and am a HSE officer, i never know of this.

Thank you for the video! It’s much appreciated.

I was just told that it is impossible to bend 16 guage stainless steel without a giant industrial box brake bender from a machine shop with giant brakes. Your doing dark arts and black magic!

Update: Using this method I was able to bend a 16 guage stainless steel 3" deep pan. I folded the tabs in just like a box. The dimensions were 48" x 30". Used sheet metal vicegrips and 2 copper pipes to assist bending. Welded with cheap Harbor freight Welder. Sanded with 80 grit to 3000 grit for mirror finish. Then clear coated.

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, much appreciated 👍

Great tutorial this method is very useful or the only option for many types of bends without needing special machines and dies

Thank you so much! I am trying to make a new burner pan for my fire feature after cutting out the old rusted pan-your video (plus industrial metal supply) was just what I needed!

Any recommendations for getting a clean bend when you need it so far from the end of the material that you can't use those vise grips and C-clamps only go so far from the sides? I've been using a four pound hammer and forming the sheet to the edge of my workbench (1/2" steel tabletop). Also using 16 gauge and I think it's probably better to cut and weld for this size job. Except you should see my welds...

Thanks mate, that's excellent. I've got that stuff around so I can start work building my forge. I've been looking at my sheet of 8' x 4' x 1/8" with some trepidation, but the angle grinder should subdue the monster with care. Good 'ealth, John Warner, Australia

You can also hammer the bend to be flatter/less round

Thanks! Got a stainless window box for an art patron of mine to do that has to be right. Too small and finicky for big press so this will be handy.

It's the ubiquitous flexible fabric bandaid that makes this real. Anyone, doing anything in their shop who isn't wearing one is a pretender. Thanks a lot for this. I have an old, inheritied, steel table Craftsman table saw that I use for bending the once a decade times I need to bend sheet metal. If I want a sharper radius I use a 2x4 and a 4 pound sledge and then the sledge by itself. Obviously I never bend for pretty. Thanks again.