DIY Metal Brake for Bending Sheet Metal

[@dansullivan7547]

The use of fast forward and minimizing talking worked perfectly. A rare 5 star video. Thanks.

[@pilchard2000]

great how to video , no heavy metal music , just clear and concise information , well done , thanks

[@ns-5201]

That is very nice! Some tips for bending for those who want to make there own bench folder (brake). 1. When he made the tray, note the relief holes drilled in the center of each notch, that helps with a clean fold. 2. When you scribe your bend lines, measure from your center out. Always start at the center and measure out, especially if you are drilling holes in several pieces and want them to line up. 3. Bend allowances and deductions, you can do two things: a. Google it and get a masters in calculus. b: Try bending a few scrap pieces and see how your radius (per folded flange) will effect the inside / outside dims of the part. Then just take a few notes, and you’ll know how much to add to the blank or flat sheet per flange. He said his radius was 1\8th”, but it will vary with the thickness with the material. Happy fabricating!

[@ericjensen4497]

I greatly appreciate the fact that you include the measured drawings off to the side where appropriate. So many videos of this type don't include any measurements, which I find very frustrating.

[@NMranchhand]

What a very well presented video. I can’t remember when I’ve seen a clearer presentation of an involved project. I’m excited to go and see your other fabrication ideas like hanging those grinders. Drives me crazy on my wheeled cart. You give me 20/20 hindsight!

[@Eric-gi9kg]

I figured at the end I was going to need to ask for plans. But I was pleasantly surprised that you shared everything as you went. I've hundreds of DIY videos of "How To," but they never share dimensions.. they want money for a sketch. This DIY video is 10 stars The fast foreword is clean and clear. Minimal verbal. Absolutely Awesome Thanks

[@gforcekaras]

Love how you overlay the dimensions as you cut each piece. brilliant and genius combined!

[@Phoeff99]

For what it’s worth I have dearly missed your videos and still rewatch them! Come Back!!

[@Daynaleo1]

Great video. I need a brake, and I love the simplicity and functionality of your design. Thank you for taking the time to video this. I know it adds hours to any project, so I really appreciate the effort and excellent production.

[@craigmonteforte1478]

Awesome Craftsmanship, design , and video i am a retired Woodworker With over 20 years of experience ive aways had a interest in welding and metal working so I’m using KZbin as a form of entertainment and learning at the moment I’m between shops / homes and one day i hope to set up for doing both metal and wood

[@Grunblau]

Best thing you can do is to get yourself a welder! Try welding first with cover gas and you will love it. Just like hot glue. Too many people have been discouraged by using flux core (cheaper) I want to learn how to TIG weld but I need to get a TIG Welder.

[@DustinApple]

best homemade brake on youtube. i enjoyed the clip. i can clearly see i need to get a portaband and table set up. nice work.

[@stevejames2142]

I've just got mine setup, makes life so much easier, will be in my future vids :)

[@DustinApple]

Making It Metal I'm building a aluminum jet boat from scratch on my channel, its coming along nicely. been buying a few small tools along the way, but my shop is tiny.

[@garybeach9729]

I would like to say, thank you for posting that video. I am a VERY beginner welder. I have been around welders and fabricators most of my life. I have recently taken up the "art" of welding. It is tough. You make it look SOOOOO easy. I will continue to watch more of your videos.

[@6099x]

new sub here, ive been watching a lot of woodworking/metalworking channels. i gotta say, i really enjoy your style. youre elegantly perfectionist i feel, the end results are always 1. pretty 2. somehow really designy objects 3.above all, usefull! your content is great, ive been enjoying binge watching most of it ;-) ive learned a lot, too! neat channel

[@stevejames2142]

Well said!

[@skipmceachin6044]

iderpalot,

[@AsadKhan-tb5fj]

Making It Metal ex

[@thomasgargano8813]

One of the best videos on making your own brake, I worked at metal fav for 40 years,and by far your video is the easiest to understand. Keep up the good work!!! 🍺🍻🍾🤙🏼🌍. Thanks

[@verdatum]

Gorgeous. I've been putting off buying my first brake for about a year now. But this looks like a fantastic project for refreshing my welding skills. I do believe I'm going to make this.

[@timsexton8146]

Great job. Can you give us some dimensions or plans? I want to build one also

[@niklar55]

Belief=1. ...an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. I have similar beliefs, lots of them, most unrealised as yet!😉 .

[@fsmtoolingramenworkshop3740]

Lots of attention paid to fine detail . A sign of a perfectionist .

[@patricktdonovan]

Love it!!!! Had been waiting to see this since you mentioned it in your welding table video. Great DIY project. Really enjoy and learn so much from your content!!!! Please keep posting you do absolutely amazing work. Thank you for sharing.

[@GOVAUS1]

That band saw is a real time saver. Great tool. Great video and project.

[@jorgeperez758]

Thank you for the DIY! I´ll be making mine shortly! Have you got any blueprints or list of materials? Thank you!

[@kevincoleman9591]

Good Video. I enjoy when processes are sped up so that it does not turn in to a 45 minute video. It puts me to sleep. Well designed brake

[@WayneEarls]

Weld some Tee handles to the bolts so you don't need the wrench. Cool Video.

[@ron1martens]

Wayne Earls great idea. I welded a rod to my brick machine when the plastic part broke off within months of purchasing the machine. I'm still to make a bender. The time delay means I need to watch multiple times to absorb how these things work. I built a work bench and in the process of making draws. Using left over 65mm square section then 50mm square section. Square hollow tube 2.5mm wall thickness. 2.7 metre long. Set of draws 650mm wide and top draws. The other section will be pull out soft close boards to carry either tool boxes say about three. Its really stable with no cross supports. I built up the weld as I'm not really after aesthetic looks.

[@jiml9944]

The 1/2 " black iron pipe nipple I purchased has a weld seam inside which prevents a true 5/8 bar from entering. May want to check pin fit before welding hinge pieces in place. First class video and workmanship.Thanks

[@Andrew-qo6br]

Nice job. Clean, well thought out, well done. Hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it? I'm sure there are things that you would do differently and things that other people say "you should have done this", but I don't see them posting videos on youtube. Old Chinese proverb "He who has free seets always hisses loudest".Nice. You should be really proud.

[@Grunblau]

+Andrew H Thanks! I can't think of anything I'd do differently. I'd still do the bolts to... How hard is it to use a wrench? I can think of things I might do additionally. It might be easy to adapt a finger solution for doing boxes.

[@Gottenhimfella]

@@Grunblau I would consider adding an eccentric collar around an upstanding stud behind the clamping beam at each end to prevent it being pushed out of position as the fold beam swings up. That way you would get a crisp inside radius without having to crank down on the clamping bolts. The eccentricity would allow adjustment for the first fold with a given gauge of material, but then you could tighten a nut down to keep the adjustment intact for subsequent folds.

[@cliffdexter38]

FANTASTIC EVERYTHING !!! Fabricating, Design, Welding AND...Video Production. Very cool.

[@silasmarner7586]

A lotta work but elegantly done as always. Great video!

[@Grunblau]

Thanks!

[@samuelclark4525]

There are a lot of good designs for press brakes out there but this one is nice and clean. It will make a good project for me to weld up with my powerimig this fall.

[@geddonmeansome9834]

Good to see engineering skills are not dead,i can tell you are a natural with tools,keep up the good work.I have worked in engineering all my life in thirteen different jobs,i don't know what you do for a living ,but your good.I agree with the other comments,get some over centre clamps ( they are quiet cheap ) have the lock down bar floating on dowels and the clamps working down on the bar, this will stop the top bar from pushing back when you fold up.All the best.

[@tobeysdonutshop8251]

I'm still waiting to see how you bend the other 2 perpendicular sides of your lid up to 90 deg, so you actually have a box or pan with 4 sides. Otherwise, very nice job and works well for single and lateral bends.

[@larrybud]

He would need to cut slots in the top piece. Maybe 1" apart, assuming any piece you want to bend is always in 1" increments.

[@marcelorolle6298]

You could slide in a square piece of wood taller than the slides. That should do.

[@toolmike100]

I've been a Tool Maker for many years and it is very refreshing to see such quality work being done. Excellent video!

[@madthindle]

Nice build, do you have plans on how you buit it as i am looking to build one, Thanks

[@stephanhendricks71]

Why do some not like this? Must be jealous, because this guy has skills. BIG TIME!!! Inspired.

[@satishwalimbe3262]

Brilliant job, Sir. I have immediately subscribed for your channel. Can you tell me, which make that vertical band-saw machine is?

[@beardedbowhunter6139]

It caught my eye too. I think it's a custom built table for a portable band saw

[@___xyz___]

You don't even need to ask for subscribers. This is excellent know-how! Thank you so much!

[@Retroweld]

Excellent welding. I need to build one of these.

[@stevenyates715]

Apart from the burnt fingers :/ otherwise a good sturdy brake.

[@PerTobiLP]

He`s welding in the wrong direction you have to push and not pull. Because you have mutch better single firing. I know my english is not the best.

[@EricDgg]

Anyway you can provide schematics of this break

[@ryanbird4120]

You push mig welds not pull.... lack of penetration and many other issues so no its not excellent by any stretch ....

[@bengunn3698]

Well done, and everything ,bender and tray, complete in just 12 minutes.I would just about have the top of the marker pen by then.You have given me an idea to make a small one for model making purposes-thanks.

[@thebibidu]

fantastic build! would you mind sharing the drawings? I want to build the same. great attention to details and lots of tips, especially scrubbing the square on the tube to draw the centre line. By the way, what is the table for the Milwaukee bandsaw? I have the same /but on battery) and want to use it as a table saw, I think I'll buy swag off road kit. Cheers.

[@eddietowers5595]

Long time viewer, first time commentor: that was an awesome build, reminds me of one I built in high school (27 yrs ago) I added sprockets and chain mechanism on top of the bolts...out if necessity because doing small production runs of small sheet metal tool cabinets, unscrewing the top platten by hand became tedious and tiring. Thanks for the video...it brought back old memories

[@SMFLEIS]

Thank you for your response one more question I have for you the marking pen that you were using on your steel can you tell me what it is thank you

[@Grunblau]

+SMFLEIS Silver sharpie! I will use a silver sharpie and then for critical dimensions I will use a fine point black sharpie over the silver...

[@SMFLEIS]

Brian Oltrogge

[@freebird7284]

nice work, thanks for speeding it up, tried to watch others build one but they were so slow i couldn't stand it!

[@AddictedtoProjects]

HI Brian, do you have any plans for this brake? I've been inspired to build my own! :)

[@stuartholden2652]

Very well thought out and executed it's nice to see someone spread their heat so well while welding. One tip if your interested . when you flatten your ends on a grinder of any sort first grind one way up first and then flip your part and grind in the opposite direction. That will remove most if not all of the burrs made on the first side.

[@christopheleblanc9175]

need a piece of round bar (L shaped) added to your 3/4 bolt head as a quick acting handle , would eliminate the need for the wrench each time you re-position ,,, , great work

[@michaelangland7478]

christophe leblanc .

[@raiftadehara9218]

christophe leblanc yes if you have used a brake before you know that there is a handle you flip to lock the work piece down after lining it up with a little more planning he could have added this feature

[@speedsterh]

Great idea

[@mikey87]

A great job. It’s nice to finally see someone on you tube that knows what they are doing. Thank you. I’m saving this as it looks like a good piece to duplicate with your ok that is.

[@norm2233]

could you post a material list and maybe a rough drawing please?

[@suiterbug]

Best video I've seen to make a handy sheet metal brake! Thanks Man and Great Job!!!

[@Grunblau]

You bet! Thanks

[@jimzivny1554]

Nice build!

[@Grunblau]

+James Zivny Thanks!

[@flarzooski]

Brian Oltrogge, could you mod this to be a finger break?

[@mr12gauger]

Brian- Very nice build! What gauge angle did you use 1/8", 3/16", 1/4"? Great video

[@mr12gauger]

Just getting into welding and have a blue print class. I want to make a metal break as my final project. I will change some dimensions, but I want the thickness to be great enough to bend 13 gauge. Thanks

[@robertqueberg4612]

Congratulations Brian, That is a fine working brake. Another addition to my bucket list.

[@EverhardVideos]

Liked your drawing video overlays. Brian you do very nice work and your video editing is excellent. Keep-um coming.

[@stevejames2142]

Your right, excellent job

[@subranraji8405]

I like u

[@BIGCHIEF305]

this is my favorite how-to yet on a metal brake

[@DJScopeSOFM]

Great job!! No gloves required. xD

[@Road_to_Tolaria]

Hi Brian. thanks for making videos. they're fun to watch and your way of explaining things is also easy to follow.

[@shade98765]

Awesome job Man....Great craftsmanship!

[@haroldfitz5146]

You packed a lot in 12 minutes. Very instructive and interesting. Thanks

Another great one ! Thanks a lot for sharing :)

[@kevindownes2118]

Watched quite a few videos of how to make metal brake and this is the best. Nice job 👍🏿

[@HenryKamp]

Brian this is gorgeous, as always. You have quickly risen to to the ranks of Howarth, Wandel, and Diresta; and by the looks of it you're just getting started. Really excellent video. Now get back to work on that damn domino box, y'hear?

[@Grunblau]

+Henry Kamp Thanks for the comment, but I am in no way on their level! BTW- Domino box is calling again...

[@cafireecology]

Thank you for not having the saw loud and squealing in the video!!

[@wintermachine]

nice job! what brand is the blue jig saw?

[@rkvktmen]

Looks like a Makita

[@spyder53247]

this is a great design.. I just built a 4'x5' welding table that I plan to drill fixture holes in, and I wanted to build a removable she's metal brake. it was either something like this or a 20 ton press brake. I might have to use your design first.. great work man! 👍

[@ThisOldJalopy]

you're crazy I can't believe you don't use gloves while welding

[@meyaht]

I like how you stuff 3weeks worth of cold metal shop class into 12 minutes time. great video.

[@Grunblau]

Thanks 👍

[@jschilder0001]

Nice job on the video. What is the make of the table you use with your Milwaukee band saw?

[@motters234]

he makes it himself. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmPYiKttrdFkndE

[@Ferelmakina]

Quite a steady hand while welding, very impressive. What I liked the most was those "on screen" blueprints in the begining, very classy and useful. Anyway, thank you for another piece of art, Brian. :-)

[@OneManBandWoodworks]

Wow man this makes me want to do metal work. I'm subscribing

[@fishhuntadventure]

One Man Band Woodworks me too! I just love mig welding without gloves because I don't need my hands!

[@jck9590]

Fish...Only pussies need full gloves for some quick spot welding...;-)

[@SupaNautica]

Not many get the hinge right, you got yours right. I've watched a lot of videos on home made brakes, they hardly ever get that hinge to work well enough to put a tight radius on a bend. It comes down to having the bend at the centre of the hinge. For anyone who don't get what I mean, just need to look at the big pan brakes and you will see what i mean. Where the angle sits between the hinges, you need to get the centre of the angle to line up with the centre of the hinge, that way there is zero radius as it rotates. Most people put the angle on the outside of the hinge bolt, which will give you a few mm of radius before you even start to twist the handle.

[@mspringett]

Can you post a link to a printable document that covers all of the parts please?

[@randyrowe3097]

Yes, I would love to do this and, I'm not nearly smart enough to design it myself. My welds would need a little more grinding as well. You are very creative and a great craftsman. I'm good at bending and shaping metal but all of the brakes I've use had their limitations. I would love to make one like this but much longer and out of aluminium so it wouldn't weigh a ton. I'd like a small one like this for the shop though and out of steel so I can bend steel.

[@oby-1607]

Very compelling build. One of the best I have seen for light bending. You make it look all too easy but I'm sure it took some time.

[@cheesya157]

Where do I get the plans? 😀

[@andrewerickson6690]

You just saw how to make this he didn't use plans but an understanding of what he was making I'll bet if you mess about with metal you have everything in your shop space to knock one of these up in a few hours

[@schristiansen3151]

Fantastic job Brian! One suggestion would be to show the completed project at the start of the video to show what you're going to build. I'd love to see a slow 360 around it so I could see all the detail. Liked and subscribed!

[@deankay4434]

I can weld with the MIG I bought in 1984, but not without gloves. Damm.

[@GotItMade]

Brian!!!! That was a great build with so many nuggets of great info and ideas. Thanks for posting and sharing.

[@lukefarmer5391]

Nice job. Need to wear some kind of gloves while welding. Skin cancer from UV would suck.

[@nickgiesler9925]

What do you do for a living. What gives you so much time to have such high quality content and still make all this stuff. You are living my dream sir.

[@farazdqabdulkareem9383]

Wonderful, l want to give u 1000 like, Thank you for sharing.

[@pcdubya]

Looking for brake ideas which are good, but more amazed at the editing, like a "how it's made " episode in fast forward, wow

[@x8xxb3nxx8x8]

Nice to see all the effort put into as mall job like this. Makes for a real nice piece! What bandsaw were you using? It didn't have any coolant liquid and therefore makes the whole mild steel work a lot easier and tidied, but blades must wear real quick? And is it me or were you welding backwards? Welds were nice enough so can't be too bad though eh'!!

[@jameshutchings2731]

Ben R

[@smu1129]

This is as close to perfect as it gets. Great planning, great execution and great video. That was very entertaining to watch.

[@OldIronShops]

need knobs on your clamp so you won't need a wrench

[@bencrinion]

I though a cam would be a good idea

[@theomnipresent1]

I was thinking T-handles

[@altamiradorable]

www.use-enco.com/ProductImages/0685330-23.jpg

[@BrassLock]

I think an Izzy Swan drill-powered wrench is needed😉

[@Thaslughy]

Use clamp style levers to bring the knife down

[@IFlyPGD]

Brian, you did a great job with this video, especially your detailed narration. I don't see many of this quality. I sure wish I could learn from you in your shop!

[@rockdawg1467]

nice job for home made one thing wear gloves when mig welding hot spatter could burn

[@Grunblau]

+rock dawg Thanks for your comment!

[@rockdawg1467]

+Brian Oltrogge u welcome retired welder

[@consaka1]

:) little burns here and there never hurt anyone. Builds character. ;)

[@rockdawg1467]

I did welding most my life and found that it only take one time to get a severe burn by not using good quality glove helmet and safety gear I had a bad burn from hot stainless steel after welding the metal burned threw a glove after I had picked it up resulting in a trip to the E.R not fun I was off work for two weeks O

[@consaka1]

rock dawg You got burned and you were using safety equipment. It happens. I have been welding on and off most of my life. I even took a college class from a very qualified old guy that used to weld on airplanes. However if I am just piecing stuff together with spot welds I'll often do that without gloves or a helmet. Serious welds I'll grab the whole shebang of safety gear. A few spatter burns is no big deal. Radiation burns from limited spot welding exposure should be nonexistent. I did have to do a weld one time where things were so tight I couldn't wear a helmet at all. I got a pretty good tan/burn from that one. Thankfully I haven't had to do that very often cuz welding with your eyes shut pretty much sucks.

[@factionfx]

Impressive machining, welding, and videography!

[@Grunblau]

Thank you!

[@HamidRHariri]

When i weld, i put on gloves, a jacket, cap, safety glasses, a respirator and then my helmet. I'm impressed he only needs the helmet. Very nice build nevertheless.

[@92xl]

I am perplexed how this guy choice in PPE impresses you?

[@Eyesonthesky]

I built a smaller one quite similar to yours, though I still need to add the clamping section for the top. Nice work!

[@phillipcraggs6202]

you really should be wearing gloves when welding.

[@oneangrycanadian6205]

Shut up lmao!!!!

[@RJB_FixinStuff]

Sweet Brian! Nice break and a well made video.

[@theonlybuzz1969]

A really nice job you have done there Brian, might have to rewatch this for the necessary information. Thank you and wish you a great week and more ahead...Phil in the 🇬🇧

[@robpedrow9293]

Very nice, simple brake design. Well done!

[@tomsdreamshopworx]

Really nice brake, wonderful attention to detail. I have been slowly collecting pieces to build my own brake. This video gave me some great tips, thanks!

[@Grunblau]

+Tom's Dreamshop Worx Glad to help! Good luck with your build!

[@joshuaAgross]

Nice job, what is the heaviest guage of steel that you can bend I saw 16g mil steel, can or do you think you can bend 1/8" steel or .125 ???. I would like to make exactly what you have made it is a great job and looks well planned...

[@Robert8455]

Very nice Brian! Nice brake and video editing.

[@Grunblau]

+Robert DeMilo Thanks!

[@TheMikesylv]

Okay I am completely impressed with that brake, nice job buddy

[@Grunblau]

Thanks!

[@pemtax557]

Brought back some very good memories of my shop days ... I really enjoyed your video. Thanks!!

[@JonValtandtheEvilRobots]

Please keep this on your channel! It is very helpful to people! :)

[@joefriday1982]

Also, this might be one of the nicest DIY brakes i've seen on youtube.

[@GetchaName]

Great video! I particularly liked the measurements and accompanying explanations!

[@hatchet81]

hell yeah, looking for inspiration and found it. thank you. welder/ carpenter I am. nice band saw set up as well. Perfection is always good with creation, very precise to highest standards.

[@johnfitzgerald8193]

I was just about to give up on finding a decent brake video...thanks for making/posting this! gotta watch your other stuffs now!

[@amlee7]

Friggin' awesome! I had an idea much along the same lines but couldn't get around the hinge part. Now I see what needs to be done. I can put all that angle iron thats been sitting to use!! I did have the idea of welding 3/4" carriage bolts from the bottom and using coupling nuts at the top with a Tee welded to the top, like big wing nuts.

[@pheenix42]

I like that portable bandsaw stand. Greatly extends its' usefulness!

[@hypersmudge1]

What a great video of your build! Nice explanation and demo. That’s a super brake!

[@MrWhitecloudasia]

Nice editing Sir. Easy to watch.