Trying to setup sheet metal tools

Sheet Metal Fabrication techniques, questions and help. "Tricks of the Trade"

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Vern2
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Trying to setup sheet metal tools

Post by Vern2 »

I'm back, if you guys will have me!

I'm trading areas, not really more room. Moving out of half a double car garage, to a single car garage addition, tan color on right. It will be a better space for planed air conditioning. Here's a picture, a lot of new tools. A few yet to be ordered, if I can get the tool in the tool room, I'll buy it. Here's the build link. http://www.enichesoftware.com/shop/shop ... dation.htm

Image
Last edited by Vern2 on Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:26 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Vern2
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Re: Trying to setup sheet metal tools

Post by Vern2 »

Biggest problem is trying to fit in a 52" shear in a less then desirable location. I know I won't get full use where it is, but it's in the tool room. The Box and Pan brake is still in it's box out in the rain, with a shower curtain over it. I'm working on adding several quick disconnects for compressed air. Using 1/2" copper. A quick disconnects at each outlet. Ball valves for two drain points in air system and pressure gauge at 30" x 6' steel work table.

These plans have taken a lot of thought. Some times making daily changes. Haven't ordered the shear yet. I can get the 52" for $200 less then the 37", plus the 52" will shear full 18 gauge, while the 37" is full 20 gauge.
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mechanicalmagic
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Re: Trying to setup sheet metal tools

Post by mechanicalmagic »

Since you posted the map, I guess you want suggestions. A few thoughts:

A 52" foot shear is sometimes used to cut 4' x 8' stock, you might consider wheels (extended just beyond the foot pedal, so it won't tip over.

Same thought on the box and pan brake. I move my little one around all the time. Tipping is always going to be an issue. OK, the tube roller needs wheels too.

I guess by now yuo have teh idea that I like tools on wheels. To mention a few: B'p style mill, table saw, band saw, chop saw, 3 types welders, kiln, horiz band saw w/stock rack, "H" press.
Exceptions are <100# or lathe, air compressor, most benches are stationary.

When I put my shop together, I got a case of HEAVY rollers on ebay. Made all the difference in the world.

Dave J.
Every day I ask myself, "What's the most fun thing to do today."
9x48 BP clone, 12x36 lathe, TIG, MIG, Gas, 3 in 1 sheetmetal.
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Vern2
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Re: Trying to setup sheet metal tools

Post by Vern2 »

mechanicalmagic,

Thanks for the reply. I've been gone for a while, not posting. Things happen slow around here. So most of my old topics are still active. I've stopped the projects and have been working on tools and shop.

On the 52" shear, it's weight is over 1000 lbs, with wheels it might not be easy to roll around. So like I said, I'm only expecting limited use. When buying metal there is no parking or very little to no parking for trailers. So I pickup things that can fit into my suv. I can carry 10' bar stock, that's about it. Everything else I have cut down to fit. I did buy a 10' x 4' 18 gauge, cut in half. That's the metal I've been using.

Wheels on a tube bender. http://www.enichesoftware.com/shop/Pipe%20Bender.htm

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Wheels on a nice belt grinder, I'm still working on the grinder. It's got 3 phase 1 1/2 hp controlled by variable speed VFD. I'll be adding the cope pipe option to it. That comes with variable height table and
rubberized wheels (1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1 1/8", 1 1/4", 1 1/2", 1 3/4" and 2" it's about a $1k option.

I'm planning a 2' x 2' roll around table ( in drawing above) to mount 4 tools, links below, just to get them off my work table.

1) 12 Inch Slip Roll - http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-12-inch-slip-roll.html

This little slip roller will do me just fine, making safety shields.

2) Bead Roller Kit - http://www.eastwood.com/economy-bead-ro ... drels.html

I just need a basic bead roller.

3) Shrinker/Stretcher - http://www.eastwood.com/shrinker-stretc ... -jaws.html

This is a weird tool, now check out this video. http://youtu.be/ARuN3qRPWDw

4) Ring roller - http://shopoutfitters.com/1415-planetary-ring-roller/

Got this ring roller for a couple projects. This is one of the projects, it's a power Trommel. http://youtu.be/MUff_vWi85o

Very nice ring roller. http://youtu.be/snzfYjJ1imA
Last edited by Vern2 on Tue Aug 28, 2012 11:42 am, edited 5 times in total.
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Vern2
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Re: Trying to setup sheet metal tools

Post by Vern2 »

Just came back in from cutting an acre an a half of wet grass. Cut it in the morning wet or in the afternoon when it's 110 degrees. Bermuda gets tall this time of year. Picked up a 54" John deere, My last one had 1,600 hours. After cutting I sweep it up. John Deere link.
http://www.enichesoftware.com/shop/tractor.htm I figured out how people will come by and get my dead grass. I turn it into compost. This is a garden link of mine.
http://www.enichesoftware.com/garden/index.htm
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Vern2
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Re: Trying to setup sheet metal tools

Post by Vern2 »

mechanicalmagic,

You mentioned you had welders, what about plasma? What kind? I've had about 8 or so, got it down to one welder right now, see below.

Check out this video very nice welder. It has really a smooth arc very little sparks even with Co2.

http://youtu.be/lKd5VTG73iM

Also very portable. It has an internal 12 oz Co2 bottle, for 30" of weld or 30 minutes of welding. It works with 110v or 220v. It's a 180 amp welder. Single pass 3/8". Spool gun ready with internal software for Aluminum or stainless steel, just press a button, plus it's only 45 lbs.
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig ... del=M00197

For plasma in the shop, I use the PM30. http://youtu.be/Y7NcfbQc4HU

For plasma table I'm building, bought this one, PM45. http://youtu.be/YFMlml5ykCc

Plasma table build: http://www.enichesoftware.com/plasma/index.htm

You can see where it's going in the shop, see drawing.

Sheet metal is a nice metal to cut on plasma table. Except the sheet metal edges turns up and catches the torch nozzle. Here's what a table can do, it's called torch height control.
http://youtu.be/aVlAPmMZu3U

Yes, the table will have wheels, see link above.
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mechanicalmagic
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Re: Trying to setup sheet metal tools

Post by mechanicalmagic »

Vern,
Sorry, no plasma here. I'm of the torch generation.
Actually the stuff I do is rarely in plate. (Or it's Aluminum that I run thru the vert band saw.)

Dave J.
Every day I ask myself, "What's the most fun thing to do today."
9x48 BP clone, 12x36 lathe, TIG, MIG, Gas, 3 in 1 sheetmetal.
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