Thorin, Using a sheet metal brake is almost mandatory for clean bends with what you are doing. That being said, such a tool need not be either complicated or expensive. You can probably make one yourself.
Take a block of hardwood S-4-S (surfaced four sides) that will fit in your vice and is longer in at least one dimension than what you need to bend. Cut a slot in the wood slightly wider and deeper than the tab of metal to the bend point. A "razor saw" may be just the ticket. The slot should be straight and perpendicular to the surface of the wood block. Place the material in the slot up to the bend line, and with a second piece of hardwood that has a sharp corner, push against the material sticking out of the block. If you don't get a 90 degree bend, the slot can be cut at an angle for as much "overbend" as you need. Work carefully and it should come out just fine. This works for thin, soft, small materials. Otherwise you'll need a brake with a hinge and more heft. Definitely try it on some scrap material first. Darrell S --- In [email protected], "Marty.Thorin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Good Morning: > I have several Model Railroad Warehouse kits to build. They > consist of sheets of etched brass that I need to bend. I fear my > current tools are inadequate to do the 90 degree bends for the cab. > Each corner of the cab is beside pre-cut windows. > I measured the sheets with a micrometer. The frame is 0.032 > inches thick, The cab walls and cab roof are 0.015. Where the bends are > to be done, the brass sheet has been etched to about half its measured > thickness. The longest bend I need help with is a little under 2 > inches. I can bend the frame with my current tools: a good, small vice. > It's the cab that needs help. > > Would the MicroMart Mini Bending Brake > (http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Cat > alog&Type=Product&ID=16101) be a good choice? > > Any other tips you might have before I damage the first one? > Thanks! > Thorin Marty > Milwaukee, WI > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
