How to make a DIY sheet metal brake | I Like To Make Stuff

Need to bend sheet metal? It's really easy to build a simple DIY metal brake!!
TOOLS & SUPPLIES:
kit.co/iliketomakestuff/my-me...
kit.co/iliketomakestuff/my-wo...
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A FEW OTHER METAL BRAKE PROJECTS:
(There are LOTS out there)
www.instructables.com/id/Simpl...
• DIY Metal Brake for Be...
A few weeks back, I was working on a project that required bending some thin sheet metal and was having some trouble. While on a Google hangout with my Patreon supporters, my friend Evan mentioned making a sheet metal brake. I started looking into it and found lots of DIY versions online. There were all different types requiring different tools and providing different results. I mashed up techniques from several of them and made one in an afternoon!This is a 4 ft version that clamps down to an existing table when in use. When I'm finished with it, I can easily hide it away in seconds. This is great for folding aluminum, steel and more. There are lots of different ways to make these tools, some of which don't even require welding! Check it out!
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About I Like To Make Stuff:
We have lots of projects including woodworking, metalworking, electronics, 3D printing, prop making and more!
These videos are our attempt inspire and empower others to make the stuff that they want to have. Hopefully you'll see something here that will inspire you to make something that you're passionate about!
How to make a DIY sheet metal brake | I Like To Make Stuff
• How to make a DIY shee...
I Like To Make Stuff
/ iliketomakestuff

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Some great ideas in the comment so far.. 1. Springs under orange piece (under wing nuts) 2. Using bed frame steel for the project Let me summarize the rest of comments on this video for you :) Cool project but.. 1. I hate your music! 2. I love your music! 1. I hate your beard! 2. I love your beard!

[@baorozzo]

I Like To Make Stuff nice choice to dress the same color of your project. Orange and grey!

[@danosullivan2313]

I Like To Make Stuf

[@_.-.]

So colin furze just "accidentally" made this exact same design. /watch?v=Ggy1DHwAh_0

[@zaneyoumans2923]

Anyone that says they hate your beard is just jealous that it's not theirs.

[@snoopu2601]

I Like To Make Stuff thank you so much I have to make some bends with stainless steel behind my mother's stove where they changed the window so it needs a splash pan and it will match the rest of the stove. Once I get the bender I can see us using it more often once we have one for other projects my brother is a scrap metal guy everyone that needs to get rid of metal calls my brother ovens refrigerator bikes you name it he recycles it, I try and pull out the good stuff before it goes to the steal mill to send to China

[@GIRAF92]

What. The. F. I am a tinner. A commercial hvac installer. Going on ten years now. And have been wanting a mobile break and been trying to figure one out. This. Is. It! Holy smacks. I can't thank you enough Bob. And I don't know how I'm as big a fan of you as a I am, and completely missed this one. Wow. I'm so dang excited to make this. Thank you sir. Forever grateful 🙏

[@TheEightshot]

The way I'm watching this as if I have the space, the facilities and the inclination to make one myself.

[@nateb4543]

I find myself jealous of creators tools. That leads to their shop, usually followed by their abilities, then acceptance: even if i had all those, I don't have the time, energu, or effort to see a peoject theough

[@EvanAndKatelyn]

The metal break turned out great! And thanks for the shoutout 😁 Always fun to chat and brainstorm on the monthly Patreon hangout

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Absolutely!

[@coconoobz344]

EvanAndKatelyn hi my names Evan too 😃

[@EvanAndKatelyn]

CocoNoobz hi there Evan!

[@MakeWithMiles]

I agree this is awesome!!!

[@chevyboy.0448]

What thickness steal would you say it can bend to , note get this is a older video

[@tomsdreamshopworx]

I have been researching making a brake for a while now and have started collecting some of the parts. Brian's brake is awesome (so is his channel). That was a great idea you had flipping the hinge around! Good job.

[@cemx86]

One suggested improvement is to add small coil springs from the hardware stored to go under the orange bar onto the hold down carriage bolts. That way when you undo the wing nuts the orange bar will lift up slightly to allow the sheet metal to easily slid underneath.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Great idea!

[@ffdrew271]

Man, I was just thinking about that!

[@mokopa]

EVERY TIME I find a spring, no matter how big or small, I keep it in a special container in my workshop...and THIS IS WHY. They are extremely useful in specialised projects/toolmaking.

[@julikb]

yes ,mine tool is as you described it ]

[@alyoung8910]

cemx86 - great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@RickSaffery]

The pacing on your videos is terrific! You do a great job touching on the options while moving forward with the approach you selected.

[@ewhiles]

I am loving the music you have been adding to your videos. Keeping it fresh!

[@akunclebull]

Thanks, just what I was looking for. Simple and easily storable. Building one now. Great video, clear and concise!

[@ecrusch]

Very cool. I think having one of those in the shop could help during a lot of different projects. Thanks Bob. Another great vid.

[@madgardener5820]

I watched this last night and so inspired was I that I went to my shed today and made one of these from a couple of hoofing great hinges, plywood, angle iron and a cut down aluminium spirit level. It works, it actually works

[@tootallreggie]

I made it! It turned out great too. Thanks. A few things while they're in my mind. 1. If you have angle iron that isn't even have the short side on the bend piece. When you drill through the metal and 2x4 using the pilot bit use the forestner bit in the woods before you step up. You can't effectively use a forestner bit if the hole is too big. If you make the brake bigger know that the size doesn't translate to the piece. A 4 foot brake can't bend a 4 ft piece of metal. You must measure the space in between the screws. Lastly i made mine 4 ft. Because of the spacing the middle section of the bottom sagged so i drilled a hole in the middle, counter sunk it and put a machine screw in it. That's all i guess.

[@jmakes3745]

The colouring on this video is amazing, makes it feel a lot lot more professional (y)

[@essextwo]

I visualized how I wanted my frugal project to be executed, then found a video that matched. Awesome. What a stellar build.

[@wrcstudent]

*CONTRARY TO OTHER COMMENTS* - I really noticed and LOVE the extra effort in video quality and color correction. It makes it feel even more professional. That being said, if it's eating up too much of your valuable time (for family) then maybe consider creating some LUTs (Look Up Tables) so that you can just apply that to future videos shot with the same lighting condition. All in all EXCELLENT work Bob!!

[@VCGConstruction]

Agreed!!

[@billfromelma]

Hey Bob awesome job, like you said, don't need it often but when you do it sure would be great to have. This also would open up some creativity to add medal to projects that would look good instead of the hammer dented pieces that I've ended up with in the past. Good one!

[@jasand2002]

Great build! This is far easier than I was planning and stores much better. Thanks for all you share!

[@bobjanis2091]

I have a small 30" all in one shear, brake and roller which i use quite often, I don't always need a 48" brake but lately I could have used this several times. That is why I am making this my next shop project.....probably this afternoon. Thank you great job

[@dennisandersen3659]

Like Bob.. There is somethinig i really love about you vids. Not only that they are amazing, but i go to school, and time just flys by. Then Tuesday comes around and i remember, that it´s soon weekend! So Bob, thanks for reminding me, that it´s soon weekend for liike the last 1.5 years! :)

[@andrewaustin6941]

This project turned out FREAKIN' AWESOME!

[@David-Alfonso]

This video was edited very well. To clarify I don't mean that Bob's normal videos are bad. They are not by any means. What i mean is that this video had a great "flow" to it. Good job! :)

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks! I really appreciate that!

[@jcmakes5977]

Just added this one to my todo shop list! Thank you for sharing.

[@erogliktuort]

I don't think it's absolutely necessary to weld to make this. I learned a lot of helpful tips from the video. Appreciate the no-time-wasted approach.

[@WittAllen]

Yes! Metalworking project next Thursday!

[@jkharwood1973]

The mashup of functionality and frugality is over-the-to commendable. Nice work.

[@hlrembe62]

That is actually one of the easiest brakes I have seen and one of the best descriptions of the build out there.

[@johnrgmcmenamin]

Very cool project and the new shop looks great! Nice work Bob! Best, John

[@5150georgie]

Your a life saver. A large break is in the $1000 range. Just so happened that I had ever bit of the same material here to do this. Great video!

[@juanpulgarin4812]

Wow after so many years looking for a metal brake instructions and video this is the BEST of ALL. Thanks a lot and have fun on your next project

[@Sergey-wg7ne]

Love the color scheme on it, as well as the matching soundtrack!

[@cri8tor]

Thank you for sharing this project and taking the time to record, edit and post a great tutorial.

[@sjbl1962]

Bob, great project. Useful and compact enough to store in just about any shop.

[@PJGalati]

Love the simplicity of the build. I don't have a use for one of these, but if a project comes up where I do need one, now I know it can be made for no money as I have everything you used in the build, just laying about my shop nearly all the time.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Excellent!

[@CLyonsCreations]

Love the heavy metal kick in when you start the grinder.

[@MakeItMazzeo]

Great project! Loved it I might try making one myself! I was excited to watch since the twitch stream yesterday and the video came out great!

[@djmorgan5708]

What a great idea. Funnily enough the other day i found two old wire sprung be frames in the loft i never knew we had, and i thought of doing a project with them. And now i know, cheers for the upload!

[@workshop_edits]

Love it - simple, totally reclaimed, and seems to work fantastic. Thanks for posting alternates as well. Cheers

[@VCGConstruction]

Totally agree!!!

[@chadblackshire1563]

Cool idea! I need to make one and this has been the best one I've come acrossed. I like how it packs away too! Nice job

[@DOCDARKNESSREAL]

Came out great man, fully expecting to see future projects with full metal cases around them and with magnets which goes without saying of course LOL :)

[@VCGConstruction]

lmao

[@thepopo2323]

I really love this channel, always simple and good ideas thanks for share !

[@HickLif3]

I love the stowability of this project! Like you said you may not use it a lot but its good to have it if you need it.

[@lendoggy2]

I've 'looked at lots of these 'how to make a metal brake videos', and your video is one of the best. Thanks.

[@g.finley9779]

A press brake is on my (growing) list of things to weld with my everlast welder. Bed frames is a great idea although I've noticed some bed frames are a lot thinner than others.

[@skillit32]

Ok, awesome, this video came exactly at the time when I needed a metal brake. Thanks for the video!

[@michaelguarraia4831]

Looks good! The portability of it is what makes it great. One suggestion: consider using cutting oil (or 3-in-1, WD40, etc.) when drilling into steel. Keeps cutting tool cooler, and hence, sharper, longer. I enjoyed your talk with the other makers at Maker Faire NYC last weekend.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks Michael!

[@kevinmccartney3565]

@@Iliketomakestuff A machinist friend of mine told me one time to try a cutting oil called Tap Magic. It is all I use and works awesome. It will make a dull drill bit cut like a new one.

[@pauln9415]

Video image quality seems higher than usual! Content is just as great as always. Thanks!

[@Splits-man]

Love the hinge flip idea. Very clever.

[@djrajiisab]

So awesome. You're amazing and skilled in communication and making useful tools! Thank you.

[@earlye]

I noticed the music change when the grinder started. I like it!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

:) Thanks!

[@pgriffinbaron]

Yeah, first it sounded like this swanky "Oceans Eleven" building montage and then I see a little orange plastic box labeled "METAL" and then... well.... Bob's cart filled with pointy guitars and Dual Rectifiers came out. It gave me a chuckle.

[@WatchMeDIYIt]

Haha! Same here!

[@patpathinayake3586]

Thank you Bob. Fabulous concise instructions and an useful end product which can be used without any fuss. I am going to need one of these soon. Thumbs up & subscribed. Thanks again. Best of luck from UK.

[@TheWoodLab]

Turned out great Bob! Liked how you made easy to tuck away but keep everything together. - Jim

[@Patrick-pl8wv]

Excellent idea. Thanks for sharing this knowledge with us.

[@samanthagilleland1101]

I'm a teenage girl who has no need to watch your videos, but I find them so interesting and you make it look so simple that anyone can do any of your projects.

[@MrDmorgan52]

Clean and simple design. Great work!

[@ThisIsReMarkable]

I was just thinking that this video seemed 'fresher' somehow and now that I've wondered into the comments, I realize it's the color correction. Nice! Anyway, great project. Practical for those that need it! I'm looking forward to the project this tool was needed for!

[@ketansaart1546]

Old video but ageless. Very informative.

[@Elliefuentes]

This is awesome and i didn't even realize I could make one this easily. Thanks and great video! Now all I need is a work bench

[@nicholasgillard3417]

I hope i'm not the only who loves the music choices in his new videos, they match the tone of the video so well.

[@tjkoker]

The great thing about your sheet metal bender is that it can be portable which works great for a small shop. Great ideas and it's DIY friendly.

[@johngray8580]

Best of all the diy light weight sheet metal brakes. Logical, concise, complete, inexpensive and well presented. That is from an old military/civilian instructor! What s thickest gauge metal you can bend? 16 gauge would be nice

[@darrylwebb3625]

Thanks for this. I've almost completed building mine. Recessing the hinges to get the pivot inline is a great tip.

[@veepsgarage]

Great project. That’s just what I need. A metal brake that folds up and away. Great video.

[@dieselrotor]

Brother ! I build some pretty big stuff like fuel,hyd,coolant tanks and tool boxes for custom semi's etc and built My HD bender all welded and threaded, but I liked this video so much and love how You did this I'm gonna build it for the lighter stuff ! Well done and informative. Great job !

[@PistolPat]

I love that your work gloves are exactly that. Not brand new, good and worn.

[@jackofalltrades649]

Very well done, I like the explanation of what and why you do it. Looks like an easy project to build.

[@barnbuilds25]

Super simple yet effective man ! Also i found your channel today and i love it ! Keep making dope stuff and keep sending it !

[@jholland73]

Really cool Bob! I love the simplicity of the whole project.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks Jeff!

[@drmkiwi]

Great project, thanks. Flipping one side of the hinge was a brilliant idea. Cheers, David.

[@Sonal_Mobile]

Cool way to problem solve! Also, you got a cool project video out of showing other that you don't need to buy expensive tools. Great job, Bob!

[@MrToolmaker23]

I've been looking at a number of videos to research making my own brake. I'll be going with your method and I'll add a couple of modifications. I subscribed.

Fantastic! Great soundtrack. Metal track to bend metal sheets! Congrats man!

[@Arthur-nt1gd]

I thought of the same exact concept while sitting on the toilet. I came on youtube and it is already made. Nice.

[@Penguin44y7n]

Love how this video looks! The colors look great

[@DomXereX]

Nice video, simple and clearly displayed. A great example of how to do this. Thank you!

[@MakeTinkerShare]

Great build as usual Bob!

[@kelly806]

This is the best video I've watched on building a brake. Thanks!

[@Badgerworkshop]

look forward to see what you make with your new tool.

[@sergheifelix5491]

i love how you make STUFF not for views but to make you life easier!!👍🏼 Ps:OMGGGG

[@sergheifelix5491]

omg

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

Loved the idea up to 5:20 when you started welding . I will just bolt it on. Like the video and the speed .Yes you did mention you can do it without welding.

[@BarttRoman]

Your videos are getting better each time man. As a person who enjoys a lot what you do, I'm really glad you could quit your other job and get a new shop! Thank's for the content Bob!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks so much Thiago!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome work Bob! 👍👊

[@fatroberto3012]

Awesome. Funny how blindingly obvious things are after watching someone else come up with the idea. Reversing the hinge halves and NOT welding the handles on, so it packs away, are both genius ideas.

[@mildyproductive9726]

Just found this channel. This is exemplary in execution and editing. You never stop talking, but you continually offer nice info and details in the voiceover rather than drone on about useless measurements. The removeable handles are great. The portability/stowability is great. The cheapness of all the parts is great. I think many other people will use $30.00 of thick plate steel instead of a $5.00 piece of 2"x4", for no good reason. This is just smart design and execution all around. I even like the colors. This is the first sheet metal brake I have any interest in making. I'm lucky I just found your channel, because I still have a lot of these videos to watch. The only thing that bugs me, you didn't chop down those bolts.... How thick a metal do you think you can bend in this thing? I think maybe 80 thousandths max. There's an extra couple inches of bolt blocking your wing nuts for no reason. :)

[@LeeOfBent]

Great build, great music! Loved this!

[@Creator_Nater]

Nice work, I'm inspired to make something similar, and try harder when editing, good job!

[@danthemakerman]

Nicely done and explained very well. Thanks for sharing.

[@Mudgrove]

Great stuff. I concur on 2 x compression springs under the orange top bar to aid in its release & clamping. COOL.

[@SmoofDizzle]

Impressive as always! I love your videos, so much inspiration for future projects, to help me make other future projects :D

[@RivertownWoodcraft]

Rad, I like that you included links to "weld free" plans!

[@randolfevans1628]

where are the links to the weld free plans?

[@BigMeachBoy412]

I’m a tear this queen Metal box spring frame up an use those pieces! My Guest can sleep on a Air mattress! 😂😂😂😂

[@Neo7CNC]

Using a cam lock setup, like quick remove bike wheels, could replace the thumb screws. Great project!

[@robertthompson5908]

Nice video! Good photography and good explanations. Can we talk about metal gauge for a second? What gauge sheet metal will this bend? 16? 18? 20? I'm talking mild steel, which is the standard for rating a brake. I can convert that to galvanized or stainless (which will be different). Also , what is the thickness of the angle stock you're using? Those pieces come in different thicknesses - it's hard to tell from the video. Finally, if I wanted to make a brake with a thicker gauge capacity, could I just use thicker angle stock, or would I have to redesign it? Thanks.

[@TheWoodYogi]

Practical and inexpensive. Another tool on my list to make :)

Brilliant tutorial, made with the minimum of tools and you explained everything. Instead of flipping the hinges extend the bottom angle iron on the 4 x 2 so the hinge sits on top it.

[@TheHandystanley]

Been waiting for this video since you first announced it on the Making It podcast. Thank you sir! Great job!!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks Stan!

[@NorthernTouchStudios]

Great design. Thank you for making this video.

[@makeorbreakshop]

This is awesome! Also shoutout to your editor, the color grading is sweet!

[@RivertownWoodcraft]

Yeah I was wondering about that too.... hmm

[@andries4561]

Make or Break Shop I'm sure he does it by himself

[@makeorbreakshop]

Ha then shoutout to Bob for making something cool AND making it look cool!

[@k.cashman427]

Really cool! Simple design to make and use--thanks!

[@frankie2234]

I remember a hundred years ago (the 70's ) me and my dad were trying to make a C channel to hold a spring or a shock on a rusted up 65 Mustang. We had no metal fab experience or equipment. So we took two oak 2x4s and multiple C clamps and a baby sledge hammer. We made them out of stainless steel scrap my dad got from his workplace. It worked. Drilling the hole was the next biggest pain and expense, but in the end it worked out. No welding, just threaded rod, and washers and nuts.

[@joshwiley881]

I can see how this would be very helpful. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed it