Sheet metal
Folding
A metal bending machine can be used to form bends or folds in sheet metal. It consists of two jaws to clamp the sheet metal in place and a hand operated bending leaf.
To use the bending machine:
- clamp the metal in place with the fold line aligned with the top jaw
- lift the bending leaf up until the desired angle of fold is achieved
- lower the bending leaf to its starting position
- release the jaws and remove the metal.
Using a bending machine
The top jaw of the machine has a selection of different width fingers. This allows bending to be achieved inside formed shapes.
Planning is required in folding a job. If not done in the correct order, you will not be able to fit the work into the bender to complete all of the folds.
Placement of material with appropriate width finger
Note: Small folds can be achieved using an anvil or sharp solid metal edge in conjunction with a soft hammer.
