Bending 18 Gauge Sheet Metal

Sheet metal bend strength i m looking for information on sheet metal steel and bending characteristics.

Bending 18 gauge sheet metal.

Geometry of tooling imposes a minimum bend dimension. For example in one gauge system 18 gauge steel. Showing how i bend steel plate without using a brake. You will need to know your material thickness mt the bend angle b the inside radius ir and the k factor k.

Determine the angle at which you want to brake the metal and mark it on the protractor. You can find your bend allowance with the following formula. I need to make some parts as in the following picture from both 16 ga. The diagram shows one such mechanism.

The bend allowance formula takes into account the geometries of bending and the properties of your metal to determine the bend allowance. Cut the section of metal out or otherwise prepare the metal to be bent by removing any burrs or sharp edges. π 180 x b x ir k x mt bend allowance ba where b is the angle complementary to your desired bend angle 1 to 180 degrees mt is the thickness of the material ir is the inside radius and k is the k factor. For example 18 gauge steel according to a gauge conversion chart is 0 0478 inch or 1 214 millimeter.

Use the minimum bend dimension values in the charts below for your minimum closeness of cutout to a bend. How to bend sheet metal without a brake in 4 different methods with minimal or homemade tools. Bends metal up to 18 in. Makes bends to 90º.

The material thickness will be measured in decimal form not by the gauge number. Easily clamps or mounts to workbench. Handles material as thick as 16 gauge. You will use the protractor to gauge the brake as you bend the metal little by little.

Refer to the chart for values for folder as well as various press brake tooling combinations. How to bend sheet metal without a brake.