Comment

Comment by Clint L Gosch on September 25, 2014 at 7:02pm

Yep, that's my cheapo brake :)  it works pretty well, i've bent .040" up to 8.5' long and it makes a decent bend. It is not the best tool, but it does a good job if you pay attention to setup and do a few practice bends.  It is simply three pieces of 3"x3"x0.25"x9' steel angle, two pieces connected with continuous hinge riveted with A5 rivets with a pitch of 30mm. The maple forming shoe (set up for 1/8" radius, but can be swapped for use with thicker material) is clamped in place with another 3" L using many c-clamps (spaced every 8"). http://www.zenith.aero/photo/20140128-175113?context=user

I've been able to form all of my parts so far in my build with this brake, you do not need a 1000 lb brake to form most of the parts in a 750 (the few parts made of thicker material can be bought from ZA or formed on a "real" brake you find in a local sheet metal shop), patients, persistence, and a little ingenuity can overcome most problems without the need for expensive tools. But there are some cases you have no choice but to borrow the correct tool :)

My brake is based off of David Clay's design, the main difference is mine has a replaceable forming shoe.

Comment by Bryan Walstrom on September 25, 2014 at 8:13am

Is that a bending brake off to the right side? How big? Plans? :-)

Comment by Clint L Gosch on August 30, 2014 at 10:02pm

Thanks Aleks. It has been a "work in progess" for a while. Might have to do some re-arrangeing to gain some space soon. There is always a way to fit more stuff in a workshop!

Comment by Aleks Chernov on August 30, 2014 at 12:00am

Nice workshop!