Combination Shear, Press Brake and Slip Roll, First Look

[@Lakesidearmorer]

Hi Chris, I had one of these in my home shop that I used for building replacement boxs for electric pool heaters. My Company owned it, I just got to use it. Well the one thing that I would mention is the placement of the operating handle. As you have it set now, in the middle, you will be pulling your guts out to cut material. You will find it much easier to set the length (leverage) of the handle to the thickness of the material being cut. Other than that it was a sweet tool for breaking the pieces I needed. Enjoy your videos. Thanks for taking the time to produce them. George

[@ChrisB257]

Thx George -- certainly, worth setting handle position to suit job on hand.

[@No_soup_for_you]

Just thinking about one of these myself. Couldn't have come at a better time. Thanks!

[@jossfitzsimons]

I have a narrower version. I find it very useful for some jobs mainly on aluminium sheet. I rarely use the rollers. Keep an eye our for a tray which slides under and then when you chop a piece off you will be able to slide the part out. It also keeps all the useful offcuts tidy. Also if you are buying some sheet material get it sliced by the retailer to the max width of your machine before you bring it home. I also leave a small set square by the side for ensuring perpendicular cuts. The guy who bought one from Warco could try setting up better and practice on aluminium. It needs a good solid base as you will be applying your full weight, slowly. Enjoy it! Joss in Ireland.

[@ChrisB257]

Joss Fitzsimons Hi Joss - yes, a tray sure helps for the offcuts. Mine is fitted to a very heavy workbench and that makes a big difference. It has its uses, up to a point - just now and again I am glad i have it.

[@robw1031]

ChrisB257 The piece at the end of the video is a stop gauge for the shear common on most sheet metal shears,,,

[@MrEh5]

I have been tempted to buy one several times but have heard mixed reviews about them. I suspect the bad reviews came from people who didn't take the time to adjust the tool properly. After watching many of your videos,i have come to trust your opinion more than most peoples. CHEERS

[@ChrisB257]

Thx Bob - well, early days but for sure, accurate set-up has to be super important. I have yet much further exploring to do re all settings etc.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

Bob, no it is a bad design, and cannot really work with anything other than thin sheet aluminium due to these design faults, even when set up properly the blade can deflect, the only part that sort of works is the roller, and then only after modifications have been made. Chris B.

[@ChrisB257]

Englishman French I still reckon, used within its limitations it is still a useful accessory. I agree the deign has much to be desired - putting too many things together, however, I do find the break function handy as well as rollers - I doubt I will be shearing anything over-thick or huge. Downside perhaps is the cost but still glad I got it.

[@MrJuxton99]

looks really cool. you might be able to use the angle at the back as a guillotine stopper if you turn it upside down and hang it from the rails.

[@ChrisB257]

Hi - it has some potential but is also fairly limited in use. It's one of those things that is handy to have on occasions, as long as not pushed too far.

[@coburnlowman]

I'm in the first several minutes of this. You will want to move it closer to the front of the bench so you aren't reaching so far back. It'll make it a lot easier to use.

[@ChrisB257]

Hi Phil, Much was down to compromise really - and the position does suit OK for me.

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

That looks like a handy tool for someone who likes to bend sheet metal. I notice you are in the shop more often, I guess the cold has let up some? Thanks for the video.

[@ChrisB257]

Actually, sheet bending is fairly infrequent but, always wanted a way to do it better than my old methods over decades, using vice, clamps, and angle iron pairs! Well, since ceiling project and having the heater have managed a bit better of late but now, at last - seems we may be out of the worst. Could be a balmy 45º or more today! next thing will be sweating!

[@williamhardin5254]

Nice toy. Now it's all up to you to make it useful.

[@tecnobs3d]

I have the smaller version, nice tool to have. BUT!!!! Whatever you do do not push it as regards cutting, tried this and side casting did break as it did not take the load. Got it repaired but these Chinese castings are what they are = cheap. Cheers from Sweden Bengt

[@ChrisB257]

Good point Bengt - does seem wise to use machine within its limitations.

[@Gask3y]

What is the limitations on the sheet metal for bending and rolling? 16g / 18g? How tight is the bend, crisp? Thanks

[@ChrisB257]

+William Perry II Practically 18 gauge I reckon .... tho 16 at a pinch can be rolled, progressively. Bend from a break operation is tight enough - about what you'd expect. The machine OK, within it's limitations.

[@coburnlowman]

The back stop you flip over for the sheer. How have you liked this machine? I ordered one from MSC or Enco possibly, several years ago and only made a stand for it the same size as its base so i could get as close to as needed but a bigger foot base so it doesn't fall and crush anyone. Was thinking it would be a regular use item but usually forget about having it and use whatever to work sheetmetal.

[@ChrisB257]

Phil, Doesn't get used a whole lot actually - it's "OK" but doesn't suit all requirements. Best is occasionally using the rollers or break function. Sheer is not very good unless very thin material. Bottom line - it's useful to have available.

[@brizuela56]

Excellent tool. Congratulate you. Very clever (excelente herramienta, los felicito, muy ingeniosa)

[@ChrisB257]

+Grupo Briza Thank you. It does have limitations but still, a useful item.

[@Lawnmowerman02346]

I for see many user friendly alterations to allow independent usage . There must be a way to quick disconnect the ring roller from the rest of the unit

[@ChrisB257]

That is indeed an aspect I intend to pursue. Like most HF items, there is invariably room for improvement and 'tweaks'. :)

[@kosztaz87]

Hi Chris, I am thinking getting a similar machine to yours but would like to ask that when you use it to shear (cut) metal plates, how clean and precise the edge along the cut? I would use it to cut 1 mm and 2 mm thick aluminium plates. Thanks in advance.

[@ChrisB257]

+zoltan87 Hi - sorry - quite missed seeing this. The machine does have limitations but, the cut edge when sheared is quite reasonable, as long as you can set up accurately enough for the cut line you want. Operation is quite hard work and it doesn't like going too thick - maybe 1.5mm is about a limit unless cut is fairly short.

[@Gask3y]

+ChrisB257 Do you know the sheet metal limitations for bending and rolling? How tight is the bend, crisp? Thanks

[@acklan3]

I have been wanting one of these for a while, but cannot seem to find many reviews. I look forward to future videos on the item. I like how it keeps a relatively small foot print compared to having the same capabilities in 3 or 4 different machines. BTW what is the name of your lead music?

[@ChrisB257]

The lead music is "One More Try" - however, if you do a search you'll find a whole heap of pieces with that title!! It's a 'freebie' piece but darned if I remember where I found it!

[@acklan3]

ChrisB257 thank you.

[@kentrockwoodtyler8798]

THANK YOU for your video.......very well done. At first I thought I was going to need to go to my big tower p/c and have a surround sound EXPERIENCE. Well done all the way round. Questions please: I noticed you were talking about the keeper bar, did you say you got stiffer springs for it? You seem to be able to cut up to 20 aluminum. Let's say I was using cold rolled steel. Had a plate about 12 x 24. Of course using the 12 side to make as many cuts as possible, but how much you think it could handle of that? The HF specs 'say' 30-20. Yeah hydraulic would be pretty awesome. Bet one could hook up some kinda chain and attach...... Thanks again, I'm going to subscribe to some of you wisdom. I haven't purchased one yet and ammmmma researchin !!!!!!!!

[@ChrisB257]

Hi Kent, Thank you. I am trying to remember but don't think I changed the springs... maybe just made a bit of adjustment. I do think the HF specs are about right - it really isn't worth trying to push the limits on thickness. There is a slight knack to operation - practice helps -- it's not the best shear in the world! Overall - it is a machine that can do quite a lot but very much within limits - practice also needed for break press function. Like most things I think, familiarization is essential and not pushing the boundaries..

[@lbcustomknives]

Looks a handy bit of kit that bud

[@normhd2001]

Do you know where i can find some videos who shows how to do the basic maintenance and first set up for this machine ?

[@ChrisB257]

normhd2001 Not sure - only thing may be to browse KZbin and see. Hadn't found one yet myself. I did though on mine do some tweaking to get a better balance between the sheer setting and break setting - so I could get a full handle revolution which makes roller use easier. The device is very limited in what it can really do but, at times it's useful to have.

[@matthewprestine1974]

please do a follow up video.

[@ChrisB257]

Hi Matthew - hope to at some point - possibly when I use the brake action for some bending. Still pleased I got it tho cost is high - it has its limitations but for my purposes a useful tool to have handy.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

I bought of these (exactly the same machine) from Warco in UK, it is absolutely useless! because of the lack of speed with which the top blade comes down, it will not cut .7mm sheet steel, it only deflects the blade and folds the metal, even with large diameter thrust washers on the slotted blade, the rollers sort of work, after a complete redesign, and the folder part is only any good for thin aluminium, a waste of space! Chris B.

[@ChrisB257]

Agreed, it has limitations -- a lot I think already depends on the set-up which is quite critical. I have a few mod's in mind and for my purposes with thin materials it is still useful to me - albeit a rather costly luxury!!

[@453421abcdefg12345]

ChrisB257 The limitations seem to be down to the lack of rigidity in the top blade guide system, I did a lot of work on mine in this area in an attempt to keep the blade supported when shearing, I made massive support "washers" and adjusted the clearance to tight limits, but because of the speed at which you can wind down the blade, it ends up deflecting, unlike a guilliotine which comes down at a faster speed, but then it is a cheap Chinese made thing, not like an Edwards machine, which I now have two of (a Box & Pan folder, and a 48" Guilliotine). Chris B.

[@mrshudson5705]

You should check the instructions, the two rods go on the front of machine

[@molallatrain3751]

hey !!! i pick one up ''used'' last sunday 40'' big, for 275.00 $$ ,i luck out ,i was the frist one at is shop i ben looking for mounts to fine one .my prays have ben answer. have fun with your machine ,later

[@ChrisB257]

+Robert Donckels Hi Robert - well, if the limitations of the machine are accepted then it does have some good uses. Some aspects benefit from 'tweaks' to improve function. It needs some practice I found. I don't use it a lot but now and again it is very handy to have. probably used the break function most.

[@JRo250]

Hi Chris, I got me one of these, too. They weigh closer to 300#. Cheap but workable. I made a stand for mine so I can move it around my crammed garage: www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/1-vs-2-square-tubing-stand-328lb-30-metal-shear-brake-slip-roll-machine-291249/index3.html#post2450701

[@ChrisB257]

Your stand is very impressive - like the '4 point' lift. Indeed, 300 lbs could well be nearer the mark. As I have stated to others - can't expect too much out of these units, basic as they are but, for my purposes it does offer enough function to be useful from time to time.

[@juandelatorrerodriguez198]

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