How to Bend 12 Gage Metal Sheets
- 1). Turn on the press brake, and if there are dies in the jaws of the brake, lower the top die by depressing the brake's foot pedal until the top die is 3/16 of an inch above the bottom die.
- 2). Loosen the nuts that hold the top die in place with the press brake tool supplied with the brake.
- 3). Slide the top die from the press brake and place the die on a die rack or a rolling worktable.
- 4). Loosen the nuts locking the bottom die to the press brake and slide the bottom die from the lower jaw of the press brake.
- 5). Select a new set of bending dies for 12-gauge metal. The dies will be stamped with the maximum allowable metal thickness. You will need a set of bending dies rated for 10-gauge sheet metal to perform a hard bend on a 12-gauge metal sheet.
- 6). Slide the bottom die into the press brake first. Be sure that you leave at least 12-inches of the bottom extending from the end of the top jaw of the press brake.
- 7). Set the point of the top bending die into the V-notch of the lower bending die and slide it into the upper jaw of the press brake. When the ends of the top and bottom dies align, push the top and bottom dies in together until they are both flush with the end of the press brake jaws.
- 8). Tighten all the top and bottom locking nuts located on the press brake and press the press brake pedal until the top die sets into the brake's top jaw.
- 9). Press the auto-up bottom of the press brake to raise the top die.
- 10
Adjust the settings on the press brake to bend the 12 gauge at the angle that you need to bend the metal sheet. Refer to the operating instructions for the press brake to determine how to set up your specific press brake. - 11
Slide the back gauge to the distance that you need to bend the 12-gauge metal sheet and place the 12-gauge sheet metal on the lower bending die. - 12
Push the metal sheet against the press brake back gauge and hold it securely. - 13
Press the pedal of the press brake to lower the top bending die until it pinches the 12-gauge sheet metal. - 14
Relocate to the end of the press brake, so you have a clear view of the metal being bent within the bending dies and apply pressure to the foot pedal to bend the metal sheet. - 15
Hold the metal as the top die starts to rise. - 16
Slide the bent 12-gauge metal sheet onto the rolling worktable. - 17
Check the bend on the metal sheet with the angle finder to ensure that the bend is the proper degree. Readjust the press brake if the bend is not the correct degree. - 18
Set the bent metal sheet aside when the angle of the bend is correct. Adjust the press brake as necessary for each bend that you need to make on the 12-gauge metal sheet.
