For best cutting thread results, go 3/4 turns forward and 1/4 turn back every time until your through. No need to wind it all the way out, clean up and go back in again. The back and fourth breaks of the chips in small pieces
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
excellent advice! Thanks so much for watching.
@reddivrbob Жыл бұрын
I agree with the threading process. I learned in metal shop 50+ years ago to go in 1/2-3/4 turn then back out 1/4-1/3 turn to clean cuttings, and continue.
@janalfiere98927 ай бұрын
Exactly how I learned it too, but that was 57 years ago 😅@@reddivrbob
@Historynerd42 Жыл бұрын
Honestly the best mod I've seen on KZfaq and I've watched dozens. If you mass produced that break you would put all others out of business.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Thank you. I can't believe how this has turned that brake into a really useful tool. I think it would work on one of the 18" brakes too. Thanks so much for watching.
@karrlbelang45464 ай бұрын
Do you have this moel...if so did you modifird it?
@lwwarren8 ай бұрын
I saw you get out that hacksaw and I groaned! As affordable as a band saw is today I wouldn't go one minute without one.
@DIYGene8 ай бұрын
Why I didn’t at least use the angle grinder, I don’t know. Thanks for watching.
@wirefeed34194 ай бұрын
@@DIYGeneJust watched this and that was my first question as soon as you took out the Angle grinder…. Uhh they cut really well and fast. 😂😂
@DIYGene4 ай бұрын
@@wirefeed3419, I do know what I was thinking, or in this case, not thinking. LOL🤪
@PeteRondeau2 жыл бұрын
I gotta admit I wasn't following where you were going with this but then the light bulb turned on. I could see Northern offering that as an upgrade kit! Toggle clamps are really handy for making all sorts of time saving fixtures.
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Hi Pete, I love toggle clamps! I wish I would have done this when I first got it. That gas pump cabinet would have been a lot easier. Thanks for watching.
@wv8382 жыл бұрын
Awesome upgrade, Gene. That transforms the usability of that brake. I've got some 3ft lengths of angle sat in the corner of the shop which will, one day, become a press brake. I'll certainly be adding those toggle clamps to my design! All the very best, Roy.
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Roy! I can’t believe what a big difference it made. Thanks again for watching.
@d.h.vargas24502 жыл бұрын
Gene, This is the KISS principle at its finest on this generic 30" sheet metal brake that is sold by many different distributor's everywhere. Mods only requiring a little drilling, grinding & tapping with no welding required. This has greatly enhanced this sheet metal brake.👍👍 Once your video goes viral, I expect that there's going to be a run on this brake, toggle clamps & some 2x2 angle iron happing soon. I just waiting on HF to post some good coupon discounts on this item, hope its by Memorial Day week. I've got a few Andrew Jackson's wanting to get out. 😁 Thanks for sharing
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much. It really is a simple solution and is fun to use. And you are right about this can be done on so many brands of the same basic brake. Thanks again for watching.
@rdspeedfab Жыл бұрын
The hack saw and the splitting maul… two tools that remind us of our age 😂
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
That is the truth! Why I didn’t just use the grinder, I will never know. Thanks for watching.
@rdspeedfab Жыл бұрын
@@DIYGene good idea lol
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
@@rdspeedfab, it really made an almost in-usable tool into a really useful brake.
@malcolmhodgson75408 ай бұрын
Got to hand it to you ! This is what the tool should have been in the first place! I cant help thinking when using mine that I only have half a solution and now it is clear that I am right! You just showed us the other half. I Will adaptating your solution in due course.
@DIYGene8 ай бұрын
This has made this tool into a totally useful machine. Thanks so much for watching.
@leighbratcher1998 Жыл бұрын
I just finished modifying a Harbor Freight metal brake with your upgrades and some modifications of my own. I welded a 1/4" piece of flat bar to the 2x2 angle iron. I then bolted the 2"x2" and flat bar subassembly to the blade with 5 1/4 bolts. With the addition of the 1/4 " flat bar it was too heavy to lift with the handles on the toggle clamps so I added a handle in the middle of the 2x2 up-right. that makes lifting really easy. Thanks for the video. This is going to make a really good metal brake. OLD) Just an FYI, your link to the angle iron takes you to 48x2x2 aluminum. Great video.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the heads up.
@20111111jorg Жыл бұрын
Great job! I have the 18" and did something similar. One addition was welding a piece of 1/4" X 1" X 6" at the bottom so it simply goes in my 6" wood vise so no need to clamp it to the table. One quick turn takes it on and off.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
That’s a great idea. Thanks so much for watching.
@michelecrown2426 Жыл бұрын
Grat modification which I will be doing to my brake. One more upgrade would be to cut the original flat bar into sections, so you can remove a piece to bend boxes. This of course would require a few more tapped holes, but I think it would be worth it.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Excellent suggestion. Thanks so much for watching.
@74dartman132 жыл бұрын
Nice modification, Gene! This video brought back memories for me. I used to repair factory machinery and we were constantly modifying the machines to better suit our needs. Btw...I was just thinking about buying one of those, yesterday. Good timing for the video. Thanks!👍🙂
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Dart Man! I only wish I would have made these mods earlier. It would have saved me a whole lot of time.
@74dartman132 жыл бұрын
@@DIYGene yep!🙂
@Georgiaguntraining8 ай бұрын
Great mods. Love the clamps you found. Looks like you are more of a woodworker with hand saw, tapping... I will be using the cutting wheel for all and welding. Thanks!
@DIYGene8 ай бұрын
You are spot on. I am more of a woodworker. This brake mod could be done much more efficiently by a metal worker. But the concept stays the same. Thanks so much for watching.
@shawndoe28342 жыл бұрын
I was really facinated by this build, I'll definitely watch it a few more times. Great content and great editing. Thanks & Take Care: Shawn
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Shawn! This mod really makes a big difference and is so easy to do. Thanks again for watching.
@reddivrbob Жыл бұрын
Great Mod Gene, I've been looking for something simpler than welding to the edge bar (possible warpage) and using springs and sleeve nuts to clamp down the plate (little space to work). This is a much better solution. I will be doing this to my HF 30" unit in the next week or so. Mine struggles to bend 24ga sheet metal with some bending to the edge bar. But with this mod using 1/4" angle iron, I think it would handle 20ga easily. Also, a portable band saw is a great tool addition if doing a lot of metal cutting.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
The portable band saw would be a great addition for me. I’m pretty sure there is no real difference between the Northern Tool and the Harbor Freight brakes. Ha be fun and let me know how it turns out. Thanks for watching.
@swettyspaghtti2 жыл бұрын
That came out great. Nice little project. Very satisfying!
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Hello Swetty Spaghetti! This was a very fun and much needed modification. Thanks so much for watching.
@donscottvansandt4139 Жыл бұрын
Another GREAT job Gene! Don't know how it took me 6 months to see it !? As I check your channel regularly for new videos. I think YT plays so funny games sometimes.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Hello Donscott, Great to hear from you again.
@MegtoothSithSabers2 жыл бұрын
nice job, my brothers brake has a similar clamp that came from factory. Its a 10' brake designed for commercial use. Hack sawing angle iron is laborious!
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Hi Megtooth! Thanks for watching. How are the light sabers coming?
@MegtoothSithSabers2 жыл бұрын
@@DIYGene I have made a bunch!!
@rauladame210510 ай бұрын
Awesome upgrade! Thank you for the advice on the tap use.
@DIYGene10 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching.
@edwardowen866810 ай бұрын
I was completely disappointed when my partner and I purchased this tool for our new shop. That you have to supply your own "C clamps" to make it work is almost unbelievable. Your hack, however, is by far the best on KZfaq. I have watched a number of them and yours is Elegant genius at its finest. Honestly, I would pay double the price if this brake was made with the pieces you added. This is my first time at your channel but I am now a new subscriber and will take time to look at some of your other videos. Thanks for such an awesome build.
@DIYGene10 ай бұрын
I’m so glad you found it helpful. I hope it helps. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing?
@jessecuara46419 ай бұрын
@@DIYGenelisten to the background of u talking between 8:50 and 8:57 .. u have a spirit voice watching u ..
@DIYGene9 ай бұрын
LOL!
@1965CorvetteForSale2 жыл бұрын
This is the best setup I have seen. I watched many others and this will definitely make this much more functional. What is the purpose of the shims? I have watched the video a few times and not sure why they are needed.
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I did the same thing. I watched a lot of Mod videos and thought there has to be a better way. The purpose of the shims is for clearance of the 2” angle iron over the ends of the brake. The blade is not thicker than the sides. I hope that makes sense. You could also use fender washers for shims. Thanks again for watching!
@FireandFrostHVAC2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this video, I need something portable for building plenum transitions on the job site, I’m going to grab me one and modify it similarly to what you have done.
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
This has changed the whole game with this brake. Northern should do this mod. Thanks for watching.
@ich1ban916 Жыл бұрын
Best brake mod I've seen so far!
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Thanks it has really made this brake so fun to use.
@MichaelRusso7 ай бұрын
Very nice. Even looks good!
@DIYGene7 ай бұрын
Thank you. It turned this into a really useful tool. Thanks so much for watching.
@Branhawk Жыл бұрын
This is awesome and I have already picked up some toggle clamps thank you!
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
It truly made the brake a usable tool. Thanks for watching.
@Branhawk Жыл бұрын
@@DIYGene I finished the project and it does actually work really well! It has all the adjustable spots like a more expensive brake! I had considered the tool nearly scrap metal for two years! This project total cost me under $100. Thanks again
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
@@Branhawk That is so cool. I hope you use it as much as I use mine. Thanks again!!
@InsidetheBoothTV2 жыл бұрын
Now I'm all caught up.. lol .. they should hire you to design that for them 😁👍
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
I have to say, it completely changed how well this tool works.
@InsidetheBoothTV2 жыл бұрын
@@DIYGene thats good!
@4speed3pedals Жыл бұрын
Suggestion ; You improved the brake, your next improvement should be to purchase a Lennox high tension hacksaw paired with bi-metal blades of different pitch. This style hacksaw will give better cuts that are straighter and blade life improves immensely. The style hacksaw you have does this. On the forward stroke, the blade behind the point of contact can bend from stretching ever so slightly coupled with a holding device that allows the blade to twist which causes your cut to go off course. The more pressure you apply amplifies this. If you get one, I doubt you will want t0 use your present one even for wood projects. Your call. My Lennox is an older model and after the blade is placed over the pins and slack is taken up with the crank in thew handle, the crank gets 8 additional turns. it is solidly held. I picked up a Stanley high tension frame and it is inferior to my Lennox. Nice work on the bender. Using angle is a good idea for getting clearance in the front. The clamps are also a good idea.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great suggestion. I will look into it. Thanks again for watching.
@surepowersolutions72602 жыл бұрын
Really helpful and well made.. thank you for sharing your ideas. 🙏
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Well thanks Sure Power and thanks so much for watching.
@joearcuri3377 Жыл бұрын
great mod! Inspired me to make one. thanks for sharing
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
This has really become a useful tool. Thanks so much for watching.
@andyb7754 Жыл бұрын
I like the idea of what you did but if you try and bend the max gage (16 gage) it wont work so well. You need to be able to move the blade forward and backward to accommodate the thickness. With the bending bar in a vertical position you should be able to slide the metal between the vertical and horizontal bars easily. Great video.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Great point. And you can move the blade forward and back by adjusting the top bolts on the clamps. I may a a minute but once you do, you don’t have to adjust again for that thickness. Thanks so much for watching.
@kirk8545 Жыл бұрын
Genius!
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
It has made a sub-par product into a really usable tool. Thanks so much for watching.
@dennysisk1910 Жыл бұрын
That's pretty cool
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching.
@MrSticks9999 Жыл бұрын
Every full turn of a tap, you should go in reverse 1/4 turn to remove the chips
@georgenguyen4032 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great ideas Gene! I was looking for a solution to the clamping dilemma and this brilliantly solves it without reducing the material width capacity. Does this also increase the brakes ability to bend thicker material? If not, would stronger clamps or a thicker backing plate (attached to the pressure plate) do the trick?
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much. I think if I was going a lot thicker material, I would get heavier clamps. Thanks again for watching.
@user-dq6jz3zl6q18 күн бұрын
Interesting Video. I might have to try that, except weld the stuff in place. that is a good idea though.
@joeh1940 Жыл бұрын
Came out nice but what about when u got to go past 90degrees?
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
The blade has a slight angle to allow a slight over bend but you could cut or grind the blade to a 45 if you need more. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.
@stacktier8257 Жыл бұрын
Great approach and detail, thank you! Is the thickness on that 2" angle metal really 1/18" gauge, as provided in the discription? I seems a little thicker in the video.
@modallas80343 ай бұрын
Excellent job!
@DIYGene3 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for watching.
@ride4chevy3 ай бұрын
Any chance you would put one together and sell it? I'm handy but not that handy lol
@davehammond979610 ай бұрын
If you already have a grinder, why didn't you use a cut-off disc instead of hack-sawing?
@DIYGene10 ай бұрын
Yah, that would make sense, wouldn’t it.
@joesask857 Жыл бұрын
nice
@Vaniya.aАй бұрын
❤
@DIYGeneАй бұрын
@@Vaniya.a ❤️thanks for watching.
@jasonpotts6490 Жыл бұрын
Curious as to why, if you had an angle grinder, you didn't just use a cutoff wheel instead of the hacksaw?
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Because I didn’t have a cut off wheel and was too lazy to go by one. LOL. 🤪 Thanks for watching.
@jasonpotts6490 Жыл бұрын
@@DIYGene ok, I was wondering, because I thought at first maybe that was the case, but then I saw you cutting notches with what looked like a cutoff wheel -- maybe it was just a grinding wheel. Anyway I started to wonder if there was a benefit I had not ever considered from using a hacksaw. lol
@tkjvsmith227 Жыл бұрын
Creative. How well do the flip clamps stand the test of the challenges of a 30”, 16g steel without flexing or breaking?
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
It works better the using the old C clamps. 16 ga. Steel is going to tough at 30” with this brake no matter what clamps Thanks for watching.
@owentp8 ай бұрын
What is the benefit of the angles cut on the bending bar??
@DIYGene8 ай бұрын
Probably more for looks. You could just cut a notch to clear the clamps as well. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.
@MetaView7 Жыл бұрын
👍👍👍
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching.
@twinscrolled16 күн бұрын
The link for the angle iron is aluminum, is that correct?
@DIYGene16 күн бұрын
Thank you for catching that! 3' 2" x 2" Angle Iron: creatoriq.cc/46xOfb2
@twinscrolled16 күн бұрын
@@DIYGene Yeah I had already ordered it not thinking and then realized how light it was when I picked it up, lol. So, you don't think the aluminum will be strong enough?
@DIYGene16 күн бұрын
Wow, I’m so sorry you ordered it. They have it at Lowes and Home Depot too. I don’t know how well aluminum will work.
@twinscrolled16 күн бұрын
@@DIYGene I guess we will find out, lol
@larryhilmes336011 күн бұрын
How do I get the measurement print on make this. I have a 30 inch. H.F. one
@DIYGene11 күн бұрын
I don’t have measurements printed out. This is really simple and may need to be adjusted because of the size and even the brand. Basically 2”x2” angle iron. 2 cut 4.25” and 1 cut 35”. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.
@tubbybutterman5711 Жыл бұрын
Why didn’t you use your grinder with a cut off wheel for the first cuts?!
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Oh that would have been too easy. LOL. Thanks for watching.
@TheSpot4321 Жыл бұрын
I'm not going to watch past the 2.20 mark untill someone explains to me why would he not use the angel grinder and a cutoff wheel to cut the angle???
@LucidAutowerks Жыл бұрын
Angel grinder? Sounds like a heavenly tool to own.
@design8studio2 жыл бұрын
Broken link -> The link for the 30" Brake does not lead to it.
@DIYGene2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for catching that. I have fixed it amzn.to/3nPSDg2. Thanks again for watching.
@jeromewells151 Жыл бұрын
Why didn’t you demonstrated bending some Baker metal?
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
I'm sorry, I don't know what baker metal is?
@jeromewells151 Жыл бұрын
@@DIYGene OK Gean you’re funny,break some thicker metal, I don’t think you’re a stupid person you know what I ment.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Oh, sorry. I bent up what I had floating around including some 16 ga. and so 1/8” strap but I don’t think it would handle that thick in a wide format. I hope that helps.
@dougekren6495 Жыл бұрын
I don't think that it was any fault of your self with tap, Irwin tapes are junk.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
But when you go to the big box store, it’s all they carry. I wish there were more options. Thanks so much for watching.
@user-dq6jz3zl6q18 күн бұрын
Angle Iron is some hard stuff, Hacksaw will keep you in good shape though :)
@DIYGene18 күн бұрын
@@user-dq6jz3zl6q, LOL, why I just didn’t use the angle grinder, I don’t know.
@targabill Жыл бұрын
a welder would go a long way...
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
Oh, absolutely. But if you don’t have one… Thanks for watching.
@jimmyy9273 Жыл бұрын
"easy to do!" proceeds to take 3 minutes of video time to cut angle with a hacksaw
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
I could have used power tools but I wanted to show the simplest way possible. Thanks for watching.
@yakswelding86 Жыл бұрын
The best part is him cleaning the cuts after with an angle grinder. That really blew my mind.
@DIYGene Жыл бұрын
@@yakswelding86 , well there is the right way and the DIY Gene way. LOL. Thanks for watching.
@wowasmirnov69802 жыл бұрын
Felicidades, es un buen ejemplo. 159 sentadillas son unos XX18LIKE.Uno muchas y un buen ejercicio. Se deja ver que hay muy buenos resultados 😍👍 Saludos desde la Cd.. de world 🌹😉💖 los mortalesv abian apreciado tan hermosa mujer.k
@user-dq6jz3zl6q18 күн бұрын
how does it do with 0.016" thick 30 inch wide Carbon Steel?
@DIYGene17 күн бұрын
@@user-dq6jz3zl6q, I think it would struggle with.016 in 30”. I have bent .016 in about 6” and it does fine but I haven’t tried 30”. I’m afraid the center would round off.