How To Bend Copper Sheet Metal

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How to bend copper sheet metal. To clamp efficiently lay your sheet metal on the top surface of your straightedge with the drawn line perfectly aligned with the outside edge of the sheet metal. Otherwise the sheet metal is almost certain to shift as you bend it resulting in a bad bend. Yes you can rig it by bending the metal over an edge like a board but the bend is not the same. Simple sheet metal bender using a hand roller clamps and plywood.

The inside bend radius should be equal to the thickness of the material that you re forming. To remove irregularity or improve uneven bends place a hardwood piece lengthwise along the bend and hit the bend with increased strength using a heavy duty hammer or mallet. Determine your minimum bend by measuring the distance from your closest feature i e. In order to bend adjacent sides you will need a box and pan brake.

It s often used for various construction art and craft projects diy projects electrical applications research and development and much more. In other words if you re bending 1 8 sheet use a tool with a 1 8 radius to form the inside of the bend. In some cases as with thicker sheet of metal you may need to use a sheet metal brake to apply your bend. Now you can bend one side after another has been bent without damaging the first bend.

If you re bending 0 020 thick material use a 0 020 radius. 20 gauge copper can be cut with heavy duty snips or sheet metal shears. Choose a bend radius that matches your minimum bend. A cutout or the edge of your flange to your bend.

Standard sheets are 96 or 120 inches long so you also have a seam or two to address. Here s a good rule of thumb for most materials.