Adjusting A Sheet Metal Brake

Step 1 check clamping pressure by clamping test strips in the brake approximately 3 or 4 inches away from each end of the brake.

Adjusting a sheet metal brake.

To tighten clamping pressure release the top nut and tighten the bottom nut. Check clamping pressure by placing test strips in the brake about 3 or 4 inches away from each end of the brake. Adjust the brake so as to be adjoined to metal strip tightly. Adjust by means of clamping handle adjusting nuts as shown.

A sheet metal brake should bend sheet metal with much more ease than trying to do it by hand. Check end to end clamp alignment by placing a test strip. Use test strips of metal approximately 3 inches by 3 inches each of the thickness you will be forming for the following adjustments. Place another piece from the same sheet metal strip 0 50mm vertically onto the bed and between the brake and the first one.

Do this on both sides of the brake. It is recommended that this adjustment be made for each thickness of material. However if you are using large sheets of sheet metal it may not bend easily. Operate the brake and bend some material first before attempting any major adjustment.

Once again place the sheet metal strip 0 50mm from previous step between bender and bed but this time a little higher from the surface of bed bender. Radius set back refers to the distance between the leading edge of the clamp and the inside edge of the apron. Allow 4 to 6 feet behind the brake 6 to 8 feet in front of the brake and 3 feet on either end of the brake. For the following adjustment use test strips of metal each approximately 3 inches by 3 inches of the thickness being formed.

There must be adequate area around the brake for free movement of the operator and the handling of large sheets of metal.