metal brake advice

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Yes folks!
It's that time of the year again where I get into another project, and think to myself....

Can I just go to HF and buy the cheapest chinese POS version of this available and get by?

....or....

Is there a good pricepoint to pay more but actually get something decent (optimal $ per value) pricepoint.

...or... (better yet)

Is there a good usa alternative?


and the item is...... METAL BRAKE....

I need to go bend some metal. Light gauge for now (but you never know in the future).

Thoughts?

Ron

[Nostril Cheese]

Had this very issue a few years ago. What are you making? We use the HF on thin gauge with no real issues, but its not precision work..

I've had luck with both Chineseum and used American stuff..

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Just small stuff for now on my garden tractor (heat shielding), but I wonder if there are any p-car applications where I should buck up now and get something worth a darn on the front end, vs. buying cheap now and having to rebuy it down the line. Let's say a rusty longhood fell into your lap type of thingeee.....Is there even a need for a brake in that circumstance?

R

[John Rogers]

I used the HF for about 6 years when I had my race car and NEVER had an issue except it was only 48 inches wide but they do sell a larger one. It is heavy and needs a solid bench to sit on and if you keep it oiled it will last forever.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Just small stuff for now on my garden tractor (heat shielding), but I wonder if there are any p-car applications where I should buck up now and get something worth a darn on the front end, vs. buying cheap now and having to rebuy it down the line. Let's say a rusty longhood fell into your lap type of thingeee.....Is there even a need for a brake in that circumstance?

R

We build stuff that shoots fire. Same idea, heat shielding. Never an issue as long as its oiled. I've used it for a few sheet metal repairs with no issues. But that's not stuff for a show car.. Think rusty floorboards on an 80's Toyota pickup.

I would think that the easy path would be buying repro panels. There was a guy on the 911 conversion board who rebuilt the underside of a 911 by hand, but he was a pro. I'll try to find that thread.

[sc_rufctr]

Make your own.

[ckelly78z]

I think whatever you get from HF will do just fine for most home projects. The commercial grade brakes are better, but for 10 times the price, and kind of overkill for the home shop.

[red-beard]

Harbor freight or Northern tool. We have a brake/cutter for small back panel work.

[john walker's workshop]

Craigslist-Tools.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

^ha! Thats exactly where I was looking when you typed that!