Choosing a sheet metal folder

[Steve (sdh2903)]

I have one of these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-DF760-Bench-Mounting-17-Gauge-Garage-Sheet-Metal-Rod-Folder-Bender-Former/390311314367?epid=13017009961&hash=item5ae05e03bf:g:fSQAAOSwdGFY0QQY

Now it's very crude. A bit of a hassle to set up. But it does work. Just.

It would never bend a long sheet of 1.4mm steel as it says it should but for smaller sections it's fine. I've done 2mm ally on it aswell.

[Mole]

Or try and find a friendly second hand machinery dealer..who has an old box and pan folder..you may pay a little more but get something that will bend 2 mm Ali easily.. I know I have had the dealers take them off my hands for not a lot!!!

[neptune]

For anyone that's interested I bought a low cost folder and it been a great success for aluminium. I 've only needed to bend upto 2mm thickness so far.

Here's the unit:

And here's some of the things i've made so far. I've never done this before so it seems suitable for a beginner :

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Looks like you’re getting good tight bends there, well done. That’s excellent.

[Andy - a15cro]

I bought one of these for the workshop but I’m a bit disappointed as it’s still got bit limitations on material thickness. Aluminium is great, thin sheet steel it starts to struggle.

 

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-sbr760-3-in-1-sheet-metal-machine-760mm/

[Paul T]

I use steel box section in a vice (I also cut the ally like this), bends 1.6mm no problem (suggest this is ample for ducting), see  the last page of my build thread for details.

I would say you can do 2mm like this but need a sturdy bench/vice ,decent block of wood and a heavy mallet!