How To Bend 18 Gauge Sheet Metal

As an example if you want to bend 24 gauge sheet metal at a 90 angle the calculation would be.

How to bend 18 gauge sheet metal. Also referred to as aviator snips these scissor like hand tools cut sheet metal materials up to 18 gauge in thickness accurately without leaving a ragged bent edge as the finished product. Bending a brittle metal beyond its limits could cause the metal to snap and break. Category thickness minimum bend bend radius. Then bend the sheet back and forth a few times to snap it.

Cut the section of metal out or otherwise prepare the metal to be bent by removing any burrs or sharp edges. You can use the same trick to cut metal studs. Determine the angle at which you want to brake the metal and mark it on the protractor. Clamp the wood on top of the metal to the workbench.

You will use the protractor to gauge the brake as you bend the metal little by little. Next place the wood parallel and slightly behind the bending line. Using the edge of your workbench a length of wood two clamps and a mallet you can fashion a rudimentary bending brake. Keep in mind that some metals are more brittle than others.

Clamp or hold a straightedge or square along the cutting marks and score a line with the tip of a sharp utility knife blade. You will need to know your material thickness mt the bend angle b the inside radius ir and the k factor k. Mark a bend line and place the sheet metal on the edge of your bench. How to bend sheet metal without a brake in 4 different methods with minimal or homemade tools.

Snip the two sides. The bend allowance formula takes into account the geometries of bending and the properties of your metal to determine the bend allowance. The material thickness will be measured in decimal form not by the gauge number. 22 gauge 0 030 0 76 mm.

0 017453 x 90 x 0 020 0 33 x 0 024 0 0438558984 inch bend allowance. Simple sheet metal bender using a hand roller clamps and plywood.