24" Finger Break Project Finished

[sd624]

Been working on this for a while now when time was available and more important projects weren't getting in the way. The original design was by Jr. Joe Williams that was modified by Mike Ward and was featured in The Home Shop Machinist as a three part series staring with the March/April 2008 issue. I in turn modified the design to suit my needs and to beef it up a little. In the HSM article the author suggests 20 gauge as the max that you should bend but states as a test he bent a 1/16 piece without much trouble but was really pushing the brake to its limit. I want to be able to do at least 18 gauge if needed so that's where most of the design changes came in.

Heres some pics of the finished break



I have a ton of pics from the project and will post the full build once I get them sorted out.

 

[Reeltor]

That is a beautiful build !!!

Are you planning on a build thread? I've been looking around for a heavy duty box & pan break with no luck on any that are affordable.
I think if I want one I'll need to make one, I can only hope it looks half as nice as yours. Do you have plans with your modifications?

Mike

 

[COMachinist]

Wow! That is a real beauty. 5 star tool. Looking forward to your build thread and more pix.
Thank you
CH

 

[brav65]

Wow fantastic work that is a beautiful piece of equipment! A build thread and plans would be awesome. Thanks!

 

[ecdez]

Very nice indeed! A full on build thread would be interesting.

 

[markknx]

Very nice build! great craftsmanship, Looks like it was just pick-up at the store. Mark

 

[Mark_f]

Wow! you did fantastic work. I been looking for months for one to build. A build thread and plans for this would be really great. You should be very proud of you accomplishment here.
:thumbzup3:

 

[sd624]

Thanks guys!!!! I'll start getting the pics together and get the build thread going. The first thing I did was make a complete set of CAD drawings so I do have those however before I share them I need to give them the once over.

Here's a quick video of our first bends into some metal. We shouldn't have been doing it since half the bolts were loose, the cams were not adjusted, the reach shaft bushings were not installed, the finger bar wasn't adjusted or tight, well you guys get the picture. However excitement got the best of us and the boy and I had at it.

[video=youtube_share;9ImpuX6xewQ]http://youtu.be/9ImpuX6xewQ[/video]

 

[genec]

what a quality looking job

 

[Uglydog]

Impressive!
Consider having a professional type sticker made or somehow labeling it.
This is the kind of machine that will be appreciated for generations.
Someone, someday will appreciate knowing your name and the year of build.

Daryl
MN