How To Build A Sheet Metal Bender

In this video I'll be building a sheet metal bender. This bender is designed to bolt to my welding bench, using 5 each 3/4" Whitworth studs.
The bender measures 1600mm wide and the clamping bar is 1360mm wide.
The base is made from 75x40mm C channel, welded to a piece of 75x10mm flat bar.
The clamping bar is constructed from 50x50x5mm angle iron, as is the bending bar.
The bending bar is also constructed from 50x50x5mm angle iron. However, during testing it was found that this wasn't stiff enough to resist flexing, so I boxed the bending bar with another piece of the same size angle iron, which had the desired effect of stiffening up the bending bar.
The hinges are 24mm diameter bushes, with an internal diameter of 14.3mm....the hinge pins are machined from 16mm round bar.
During testing, I bent some 0.8mm sheet, some 1.6mm mild steel and a small piece of 3mm aluminium.
In practical terms, I'll be bending some thin gauge galvanised sheet to make some flashing for my shed, as well as bending up to 1.6mm aluminium checker plate to make some boxes.
Some of the metal cut outs I make from 1.6mm mild steel, have tabs on them that need to be bent, and to help bend them easily, I cut short bend lines to make the bending process easier. However, I have no doubt that the bender could bend these tabs without the cut lines.
If you would like to support my channel by buying me a coffee, here's the link, thankyou: www.buymeacoffee.com/support4...
Your suppport is greatly appeciated.
If you liked the video, please give it a Thumbs Up. If there's something you didn't like and you give it a Thumbs Down, please comment below and tell me what you didn't like, as I'm always looking for ways to improve my videos.
If you would like to subscribe to my channel, please hit the Subscribe button and give the bell icon a ring, to be notified of upcoming videos.
If you would like to get in touch with me to order a sign, wall plaque or custom design, etc. you can do so via email at: [e-mail]
Music credit: That One Bar Scene - RKVC, RUclips Audio Library
Thanks again for watching and I'll see you in the next video.

[@garylodge5915]

Well done Rusty, the design works very good and I am impressed that you made an adjustment on the clamping bar to allow for thicker sheet metal. The radius of the bends are smooth and tight, nothing more required. A great job Rusty!

[@RustysMetalCutSignsDesigns]

Thanks Gary. the bender is something that's been on my 'to do' list for a while and I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

[@bobrossi1185]

Very nice you are good maker Very well explained your process through your designs keep them coming.

[@RustysMetalCutSignsDesigns]

Thanks Bob, glad you enjoyed the video. I have several more videos in the pipeline!!

[@rosswoolley2854]

Thanks for the video Rusty, A bender is a must piece of equipment to complement the cnc plasma machine. Cheers mate.

[@RustysMetalCutSignsDesigns]

Hi Ross, I totally agree....it's been something that I've had on my 'to do' list for a while.

[@jimwebber7446]

Nice bender mate. Perfect for the light material that you need to bend.

[@RustysMetalCutSignsDesigns]

Thanks Jim. Yes, it will definitely come in handy on lots of projects.

[@rentasticlv5902]

Because hinges are not centered, you cannot bend over 90 degrees, am I right? I mean, you cant get 12mm with angle grinder precisely..

[@RustysMetalCutSignsDesigns]

If I remove the top clamping plate, then the lower swing arm will travel up and over past 90 degrees. In fact, I notched the end plates on the top clamping plate to allow the bender to go past 90, to allow for a small amount of spring back from the material being bent...if that makes sense.

[@rentasticlv5902]

@@RustysMetalCutSignsDesigns It makes, yes. But, I mean, you cant center hinges just by cutting slots with angle grinder. @7:29

[@RustysMetalCutSignsDesigns]

Being able to mill the slots would be the best option, for sure.