Finger brake for the shop press

[bobs409]

Just got done building my new shop press finger brake with "goose neck" dies. lol This fits my 12 ton HF shop press. The goose neck dies I bought as a kit on swag offroad for $99 w/shipping. (link below) Worth every penny as cutting these 24 pieces accurately out of 1/2 inch steel plate isn't my idea of having fun. They are laser cut and come still tabbed together in 6's. You then cut them apart and assemble them how you like. I chose to make a 6, 5, two 3's, two 2's and left 3 as singles. You can hit any measurement in 1/2's for a total of 12 inches with this setup.

Finger Brake Gooseneck Dies That Fit The HF 12 Ton & The 20 Ton Finger Brake Only

The rest of this I built going from a picture of the ones they sell, mostly from stuff out of the drops box at my metal supplier. These dies will bend up to 1/4 inch thick material. I tested it on some 3/16 and it worked great. I only have a regular sheet metal brake so it's not able to make boxes and lids as you can't bend the last 2 folds as the first 2 get in the way. With these finger dies, you can do that by using only what you need to fit. The purpose of the goose neck shape is to allow more shallow or complex bends.

[DIYer]

Thanks bobs409! We've added your Finger Brake to our Brakes and Presses category,
as well as to your builder page: bobs409's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Finger Brake by bobs409

tags: brake

[auswelder]

Hi,

What size is the angle for the V die and what size channel did you use?

Did you have any issues with the straighness of it after welding?

Thanks

[bobs409]

Hi,

What size is the angle for the V die and what size channel did you use?

Did you have any issues with the straighness of it after welding?

Thanks

Hi, I just used what I had on hand. I just measured it and the angle is 2 x 2 x 1/4" and the channel is 3 x 1.75 You could go bigger if you wanted.

I welded it in 3/4" stitches jumping all over so it wouldn't warp.

[Toolmaker51]

Just got done building my new shop press finger brake with "goose neck" dies. lol This fits my 12 ton HF shop press. The goose neck dies I bought as a kit on swag offroad for $99 w/shipping. (link below) Worth every penny as cutting these 24 pieces accurately out of 1/2 inch steel plate isn't my idea of having fun. They are laser cut and come still tabbed together in 6's. You then cut them apart and assemble them how you like. I chose to make a 6, 5, two 3's, two 2's and left 3 as singles. You can hit any measurement in 1/2's for a total of 12 inches with this setup.

Finger Brake Gooseneck Dies That Fit The HF 12 Ton & The 20 Ton Finger Brake Only

That Swag Offroad sells precut plates for laminated dies seems revolutionary; paying attention to industry, and marketing to the public. We are fortunate companies know supporting private shops is worthwhile; along with Williams Low Buck Tools, and Eastwood.
Commercially, use of laminated dies is quite common. Not so much for goosenecks; they are an efficient means to produce form punches & dies.
My last shop made dozens for their use, plate [leaf] thickness keyed to gauge being bent, and if there were finish restrictions. CNC Lasers, Plasma, and Oxy-Acet all produce cuts with a little 'draft', or side angle, that increases with thickness. Reducing it means slowing the cut, pushing expense up. Assembled plates exhibit 'ribs' that indent thin or soft materials. When not tolerable, doweling and plug welds allowed sanding the ribs flush. Bends in heavier stock can use sets as is. Some sets would need a little clean up of clamping tenons.

[ederangelo]

Pleasy, make movie an post link working machine, great machine.

Great machine parts !