What Equipment is needed to bend aluminum edge?

[0igo]

So I have a couple questions and I'm confused as to where to start. What material is needed to bend the edge on aluminum or I believe also called aluminum fascia? The aluminum will be thin. Or where can I buy aluminum around my area with the lip already bent? Or large 4*8 aluminum sheets?

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

You need a break to do the clean bends and a notcher/break for the curve bends

 

[Marlene]

If you don't want to invest in a brake, call a local heating and ventilating company to do your bends. They usual have a small charge for that.

 

[Billct2]

To do that type of work you'll need a sheet metal brake, and a shear would be nice too. They can be found used, but don't come cheap. The notches can be done with a hand punch or floor press. It also helps to have a finger brake. We have gotten by with an 8' brake and 4' shear, cutting larger pieces on the panel saw or scoring and snapping in the brake. Like Marlene said, you can see if you can find a local sheet metal shop to sub it to

 

[equippaint]

Gutter guys usually do this too with light gauge material. If you only need a little bit, score it with a grinder, clamp it to a workbench and brake it by hand. It'll give you a perfect bend as long as you score it straight.

 

[ams]

Metal brakes don't cost too much, sometimes you can pick them up on ebay or craigslist for half the cost.

 

[Oroscoe]

Sheet metal brake

 

[DerbyCitySignGuy]

Tangentially related, but used to work next to a company that had a HUUUUGE shear and every time they would cut material with it you could feel vibrations through the concrete floors.

 

[ddarlak]

Van Mark Trim-A-Brake II Utility Brake 4 Foot 6 Inch- T400 - Magnum Tools

 

[equippaint]

Tangentially related, but used to work next to a company that had a HUUUUGE brake and every time they would cut material with it you could feel vibrations through the concrete floors.

Cut with a shear, bend with a brake.

 

[henryz]

Are you trying to do channel letters or flashing for a roof?

 

[0igo]

Are you trying to do channel letters or flashing for a roof?

I'm trying to make a a big phone phone. No electric wiring just a channel letter phone about 4ft tall 30in wide

 

[Rick]

Your terminology might be incorrect... but in cases where you are making dimensional odd shapes - kerf cutting angle or extrusion might be the way to go...

Kerf cutting presentation

 

[billsines]

Our local lumber yard has a huge brake and they bend metal for next to nothing.

 

[DerbyCitySignGuy]

Cut with a shear, bend with a brake.

Whoops. I meant shear, but typed brake. That's why it was only tangentially related.

 

[0igo]

Your terminology might be incorrect... but in cases where you are making dimensional odd shapes - kerf cutting angle or extrusion might be the way to go...

Kerf cutting presentation

Yeah sorry. Whenever I log into this site on my phone, my phone tends to autocorrect a crap load of words. But correct I'm making a dimensional sign. Out of aluminum coil, dibond and acrylic face

 

[henryz]

How thick are you thinking of making it? if you are not planning to illuminate it. Do a plywood backing so you can screw the coil aluminum to the side and you don't have to bend/brake a flange, back in the days people used plywood with an aluminum face Laminators Inc. still makes it Omega board.