Box & Pan Brake

[NickP]

I know that amongst the population here some, if not several have a box & pan brake. Brand, gage material, length and manual or pneumatic/hydraulic? I'm looking at a Baileigh BB4012. http://metal.baileighindustrial.com/finger-brake-bb-4012f http://metal.baileighindustrial.com/media/catalog/product/cache/3/small_image/166x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/i/finger-brake-bb4012f.jpg

[chevynut]

I thought you already had one, Nick. I have a Jet 4816, which they claim will do 16 gauge to 48" wide. I'm not so sure about that. I would think a 4012 would work on 16 gauge, but I can't imagine trying to bend 40" of 12 gauge steel by hand. I have a hard time bending 1/16" aluminum to 40" long by hand, and have to put levers on my brake. My recommendation is to get one that's way heavier than you think you will ever need.

One thing I think could be improved is the finger width sizes. Mine only has 4", 3" and 2". So you can't do any 1/2 or 1/4" increments. Leaving a gap often shows on the finished part. I would rather have a couple of odd-sized fingers on it.

They sure come in handy, though. :)