Garage Shop: Tools

Interesting you didn't just use a gooseneck die or something, but yeah I heard the stories about the old presses...damn

Speaking of, maybe I should make myself some more and actually use them

 

I don’t remember the exact dimensions of the channel I made but I recall it being too big for the gooseneck dies. And I haven’t really ran into any issue of needing it since. But one day when I’m out of buying other higher priority things maybe I’ll pick them up, so you printed your own? Is there a public file for them, I’d just as soon burn them out on the Langmuir then pay $200 I’m cheap

 

Gotcha, yeah that's the main reason for not forking out another $200 with them as their gooseneck dies are very specific and don't offer much clearance.

I'll have to talk to an engineer in another group to see how much larger the die can be without having to step down in tonnage by a lot, I mean I'd only want to bend 3/16" or thinner for the size bends you posted.

With the belt sander, it'd be a lot faster getting things cleaned up and squared which is why I'm going back to making some soon. Just want to tighten up that radius.

Looks like I'll just grab some angle tomorrow.

 

I’ll give my 2 pennies fwiw. Not sure of your bottom die setup. I’m used to working with materials 24-10ga. If you don’t have an offset die you can make a flattening die or use the top V-die. Brake center line 1st @45. Flip over 180 and brake the channel legs 90. Use flattening or V-die to complete. Pencil-cad drawing included.

 

The little "stand" on the belt sander was a tad short so I made my own

 

thanks, that’s a good idea too, hadn’t thought if that method. Don’t think the bend and bend back would weaken the metal?
I just have the HF finger press brake, no flat die, but I guess could make it work with v die if I lined it up carefully.

 

If you’re talking mild steel then no. You may not have to brake the first bend 45. Maybe 30 degrees depending on the length of the channel sides. A flattening die works best. Be careful with the v-die to keep it centered on the brake edge. It may slip to one side or the other as pressure increases. Stop and re-center then continue. Go slow. Continue until bottom is square with the sides. The bottom of your channel will have a bit of a ridge which will act as a stiffener. If you try to push the ridge totally flat you’ll roll it and have to manually hammer it flat.
You can build a flattening die. Get steel plate the thickness of the v-die and skip weld.

 

Just picked this up at HD. Original price was $39.97, marked down to $12.04, paid 1 cent.

 

@6 gearT444E

I didn't want to stack angle as suggested and the flat bottom die won't even work on the 10 gauge I had planned to use it with





I'll weld the other one tomorrow but that'll be for when I'm bending thin gauge and need a tight radius

 

just found these blind nut holders. they're on Amazon, but the link is to support them without the amazon tax..

thinking they're going to make some good stocking stuffers this christmas

https://www.handeeclamp.com/

 

Can I use a fibrous chop saw blade in a miter saw? Cutting some 1"x1"x 1/16" square tubing. Only a few cuts and don't want to buy a chop saw or expensive metal cutting blade.

 

You CAN. But its not really good for the miter saw. Plenty of people do though. Make sure the wheel you buy is rated for the RPM your miter saw puts out. Miter saws are often more.

If you go that route....make damn sure your miter saw is clean. Also any plastic on it could end up melted from the sparks. Then just cut the work piece slowly...as in light pressure.

For a few cuts go for it....though if you have an angle grinder with 1x1 square tubing that would work just as well IMO. Or even a hack saw

 

I wouldn't.

 

Don’t know if this is the right place to post this but I’m looking for a compression test kit recommendation.


Looking for a basic but quality compression test kit (1st gen Tacoma)

Thousands of the same Chinese one on Amazon with different brand names.

I’m looking at MityVac and CTA only because I know those brand names have history in this type of equipment.

But if anyone else has recommendations for ones they have experience with, I’d appreciate it.

Also, does it make sense to get a leak down kit as well to get both data sets?

Currently nothing wrong with my motor (that I know of lol) just looking to add this diagnostic ability so I don’t have to pay $100s for someone else to do it.

Thanks in advance.

 

Trip to Harbor Freight and found their 6” cutoff saw. $40 regular price and a 25% off coupon. Looks okay for what I need. If I had many cuts or larger material I’d go for a full size saw.

 

Sucks you're not closer.

I've had this practically new EVO just sitting in my garage I'm asking only $100 for.

It's the small one with 2" x 3" cut capacity, and it makes stupid clean cuts (square too).

Maybe someone else here will see it and want it.

 

This thing is tiny. Footprint is 6"x12". Won't take up any storage space though.

 

I've been very happy with my OTC one, a coworker has the nicer harbor freight one and it works just as good.

 

Does anyone have experience with one of these folding portable workbenches?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-8-ft-x-3-ft-Portable-Jobsite-Workbench-224317/205887786

I'm looking for something stable (not wobbly) enough for making firearms repairs out in the field, so I need something that won't wobble and shift while trying to drive in and out roll pins and such.

 

I don't, however, this thing looks awesome. I'm interested in knowing too.