Sheet Metal Brake - recommendations

[cvairwerks]

Zephyr: From experience, when you get ready to start bending, make sure you mount that brake on something substantial. A bit over zealous movement of the counterweight and you can flip that thing on it's back.....Been there, done it and got the shirt, but I did it with a 36" bench model.

[wirejock]

Does anyone know where to get a flat chunk of maybe 2"X24x1/2 with a different radius on each edge?
Nothing fancy. Just a chunk of cold rolled steel with a uniform radius on each edge. 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4. I can clamp it in place.
I don't use the brake much anymore but one finger for most bends would sure come in handy.
I suppose I could buy a piece and have it milled.

[JonJay]

You can use scrap rubber sheet on top of your work. Experiment with different material and thickness with scrap until you get the radius you’re looking for.
Bend radius is adjusted by moving the bed back and forth but for soft material like aluminum you need to augment the process if you have the standard sharp fingers.

[cvairwerks]

Larry: Up in post #4, I have a link to Mittler Brothers’s individual finger segment. Widths to 6” and numerous radii. Can’t buy the materials and grind the edge for what they get for the segments. I needed a 6” segment with a .128 nose, and I think it was about $25, plus shipping, when I ordered it.