Sheet metal tool recommendations.....

[bandit67]

Guys, I am thinking of venturing off into unknown territory for me, sheet metal replacing. I have admired work by Chris Birdsong, and others like him with those skills, and am looking at some tools. I now have an old clunker that needs it all, trunk pan, floor pan, quarter panels, rear deck panel and glass channels. Most of these parts are made by AMD, what gauge metal are most of these made from. After watching metal shrinkers/stretchers at work, need one of them for sure. Foot operated seems the best way for me, any recommendations on that. In looking at the 3 way brakes, bend, shear and roll, seems to all be based on gauge thickness and length. What would be the minimum gauge tool to buy, 20,18 or 16. Im thinking 18 is the go too for most replace panels , but not sure, what opinions can you metal guys share with a newbie. thanks....

 

[snakeoil24]

Learn from others first before you drop the money

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Buying all that stuff could be costly. Hell, I bought a shrinker and stretcher from harbor freight used them once and now they just collect dust. So unless you expect to go full on into sheet metal repair it might not be wise to drop all that cash. I usually just buy stuff on a as needed basis. It would be sweet to have a bead roller, metal brake and a few other items but I do not see metal fabrication in my future. So I resist. But you do you. If that's the direction you want to go.

 

[eldubb440]

what is your "old clunker" that AMD makes everything for?

if AMD makes everything you need, you don't need a shrinker/stretcher or a brake

what you need is a good mig welder, cut off grinder, and drill

 

[toolmanmike]

Guys, I am thinking of venturing off into unknown territory for me, sheet metal replacing. I have admired work by Chris Birdsong, and others like him with those skills, and am looking at some tools. I now have an old clunker that needs it all, trunk pan, floor pan, quarter panels, rear deck panel and glass channels. Most of these parts are made by AMD, what gauge metal are most of these made from. After watching metal shrinkers/stretchers at work, need one of them for sure. Foot operated seems the best way for me, any recommendations on that. In looking at the 3 way brakes, bend, shear and roll, seems to all be based on gauge thickness and length. What would be the minimum gauge tool to buy, 20,18 or 16. Im thinking 18 is the go too for most replace panels , but not sure, what opinions can you metal guys share with a newbie. thanks....

Before you buy a hammer, watch this guy's videos. He does more with a welder, hammer, a piece of pipe, and a 2x4 than most can with a shop full of tools. Plus the guy is building a Colt! "Crusty"

 

[1 Wild R/T]

48" Shear, used on Craigslist typically sell for $1000-$2500
48" Brake, used on Craigslist typically sell for $1000-$2500
48" Roller, used on Craigslist typically sell for $2000-$3500
The 24" combo Shear/Brake sold by Harbor Freight is a complete POS & not worth buying..

If AMD sells what you need do yourself a favor.....

 

[ruffcut]

What you need is a friend with those tools and the skills to go with them! Beer and grub may be cheaper than buying all those tools for a one time project. Just my 2 cents. I am lucky as my brother has all the tools and skills and we trade as I do all his carpentry and building and he helps me with cars, trucks and tractor repairs! ruffcut

 

[ckessel]

If you have the funds, I would highly recommend taking classes from Lazze Jansen. lazzemetalshaping.com. I took both classes. He also makes the machines. Or see if there is anyone in your area who teaches too.

 

[R/T Boy 67]

Buy a welder, and practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more. Buy some sheet metal pieces in 20 and 18 guage and practice welding them together, and then try breaking them apart, to see how you are doing. Oh, I almost forgot, you should practice first.

 

[s/w theo]

Before you buy a hammer, watch this guy's videos. He does more with a welder, hammer, a piece of pipe, and a 2x4 than most can with a shop full of tools. Plus the guy is building a Colt! "Crusty"

Fitzy's videos are pretty good, & entertaining to watch. He does a lot with very few tools.

 

[bandit67]

After years of living with a POS mig welder , I purchased the Miller that migs, tigs and small sticks. Its wonderful for my sheet metaling, just set for the gauge and it sets the settings. Got all the grinders, drills, hammers, but no plasma cutter as of yet. Most all the clunkers I do need windshield glass channels and watching the shrinkers/stretchers bend those 90's on a piece of L sheetmetal just looks so much better than the cut and grind and weld and grind method I currently do. I was thinking along the lines of a 20 to 30 inch brake that I could do 18 gauge. Thanks Guys, I m now in a new small town and don't have options of my old big town to metal fab shops that use to do what I needed. I shall move slowly on buying the big stuff......

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Cutting can be handled lots of ways... As far as a brake keep an eye on C/L & industrial auctions...

The HF multi function shear/brake isn't worth considering.. I've used three of them are different facilities, they all were junk & couldn't form a crisp 90 degree brake in a 6" long piece of 18 ga....

HF does sell a dedicated 36" brake...

https://www.harborfreight.com/36-in-bending-brake-with-stand-62518.html?_br_psugg_q=brake

It sort of works but it flexes so your 90 degree brake isn't crisp it's soft & round.... But those brakes can be stiffened by welding on additional bracing....

If your willing to watch C/L you might get lucky and find a real flexo finger brake... Or something similar..

 

[dadsbee]

Amazing what you can get for peanuts at a "woodworking" auction! It cost me more for the haul than the brake and shear !

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Amazing what you can get for peanuts at a "woodworking" auction! It cost me more for the haul than the brake and shear !
View attachment 1237185 View attachment 1237186

Oh, You Suck!!! LOL!!! Nice!!! Only problem is how much room it takes... But considering what you do you have the space & can really justify having a big piece of equipment like that....

 

[toolmanmike]

Overkill for bending little patch pieces. Nice old brake though.

 

[dadsbee]

Yep, they're out in the hangar for the times I need to slice a 12' sheet lengthwise. I also have a 4' air shear and an 8' brake in the shop... but they're destine for the hangar now as well. Too many cars in the way.. lol
Shear is on an old feed mill cart so I can roll it where I want.

 

[Bold & Old]

A lathe and a small end-mill enhances all the tools you have...... if your seriously dedicated.

when I was working for a living I took and couple classes offered by a community schools and it really made difference working with metals.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

My neighbor had a nice little 24" Pexto finger brake that I pestered him about for years... One day I stopped over & it was gone... He sold it & never said a word..... WTF..

Found this picture online, same unit...

 

[joe smith]

A lathe and a small end-mill enhances all the tools you have...... if your seriously dedicated.

when I was working for a living I took and couple classes offered by a community schools and it really made difference working with metals.

If I could go back I would take a welding and body shop class at a local community college in my youth instead of partying and chasing poon tang