Which type of brake do you prefer?

[tubeswell]

Bad case of sheetmetal brake GAS.

Can't make up my mind - both are the same price

I know what they each can do, but are box and pan brakes generally flimsier? or...?

Please share your experiences and/or take the poll.

TIA

[Casey4s]

I bought a box & pan brake several years ago that looks a lot like the first picture. You can't effectivly fold a chassis with a regular brake, if you are going to fold the ends.

[defaced]

I'd get the box and pan brake with the removable fingers. Just like Casey said, you can't fold the ends without different sized fingers. And in my experience with box and pan brakes, flimsy was not a word I'd use to describe them.

[guitarmike2107]

Box and pan for general boxing is best for chassis

Just make sure it can take the full width of the chassis you want to bend. i.e. a 610mm box and pan brake will probably not do a jcm800 style chassis

also make sure it can do the material thickness you want.

[J M Fahey]

I have the other type, the one where you lower vertically a "V" edged "knife" into a "V" shaped notch.
Mine is 610mm too.
Definitely trickier to use, it's difficult to have both ends bent to exactly the same angle.
Oh well, it's what was available way back then.

[scole]

i like this one
G0557 24" Box and Pan Brake

[Casey4s]

i like this one
G0557 24" Box and Pan Brake

That's the one I have (post #2) a picture of. Works great too.

[tubeswell]

Well I've now had the chance to try both types and I think they both have their pros and cons, but for the use I am putting it to, I have decided on the bar brake. I think it is simpler and provides a neater, straighter, more accurate bend more easily. I can do small bends in my metalwork vice, and I make my chassis by folding in one direction only and then fixing end caps on. Admittedly a box and pan brake would be more flexible, but for what I want it is a wee bit too fidgity. (Although I have a feeling that the weight of opinion is going to go against me on this)

[J M Fahey]

Post some pictures of your first chassis, when you receive it.

[tubeswell]

Here you go - in action tonight (chassis for my Super AC4)

[J M Fahey]

Hey !!! I loved it !!! Congratulations !!!

[tubeswell]

Final details.
End-caps bent up to fit firmly. The top flanges are longer to allow for reinforcing of the structure for the chassis mounting bolts (I put the bolt holes so that they go through these top flanges). The end caps are box-riveted in for added rigidity. Then I punch out the rivet cores to get rid of potential rattle

[guitarmike2107]

I just bought one of these, I should get it Friday.. need to make some space for it..

http://www.bifabuk.co.uk/images/shee...4816-large.jpg

[tubeswell]

I just bought one of these, I should get it Friday.. need to make some space for it..

http://www.bifabuk.co.uk/images/shee...4816-large.jpg

Nice.

[jimboyogi]

I just bought one of these, I should get it Friday.. need to make some space for it..

http://www.bifabuk.co.uk/images/shee...4816-large.jpg

Congratulations, that looks great, and with a "BEND ANGLE INDICATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I picked up a smaller version box and pan brake a few weeks ago, still learning the finer points of it, but very happy to be able to DIY in custom dimensions.