Does anyone here have one of those magnetic sheet metal brakes?
I’ve been watching and wanting one of these things for a couple years now and I think I’m getting close to pulling the trigger. I know there are a bunch of brands like Eastwood, Magnabend, Kaka, Roper Whitney, Baileigh, and I assume they are all the same but the prices are pretty varied and I don’t really know why other than name.
What I really want to know is are they worth it? I know all about the benefits of using them vs standard brakes, but are there times when they just don’t work as well as a standard brake? (even if you’re still in the capacity range) I’d just like to hear from someone who uses them before I spend the money on one.
Here are a few that I found today if you don’t know what I’m talking about:
Any input?
I have had a roper whitney for about 15 years its rated to 18 gauge and it has been used hard. Still works great. They are very useful and the options for expanding the length by adding another machine in line is pretty sweet basically no throat which allows to bend on the bending bar and having material hanging in open space not being bent. Any ferrous shape can be used for a bending bar and i have made many different specific tools. If i could have found one of the 16 gage machines back when i got mine i would have got that. Definitly a trick machine.
Have you had any electrical problems with it? I’m concerned that it might have problems over time with electrical parts failing or something. I know standard box and pan brakes are pretty bulletproof since they don’t plug in and I’m concerned about that. I guess if you still like yours after 15 years, they must be pretty solid.
Side info: A TrickTools rep told me that the Baileigh Magnetic Brake v2 is an upgraded version of the v1. It mainly has new electronics that make them robust.
It is not an upgrade but more about fixing an issue! These YouTube videos drive my guess.
Lastly, my Magnetic Sheet Metal Press Brake is still in the crate, so I can not share my experience yet!
Hi scratch yeah I have had some significant jobs putting many hours a day on them for months at a time. The magnet base does get warm though nothing has failed in time. I dont use it every day though.
I’m seriously considering that eBay one in my link above. It’s made by Kaka and has a 1 year warranty like all the other brands, but that one listing on eBay is almost 800 cheaper than the others. It’s the only one left, maybe they just want to move it and discounted it, they have another one that is more expensive. I’m sure it’s the same as all the others, they look identical. Thing that scares me a little is I can find lots of videos from people that own a Baileigh and Eastwood, but I can’t find anyone with a Kaka…
My KAKA magnetic brake came in about a week ago, and I finally got it setup with a buck/boost transformer and it’s all set in place. I was planning on getting a new transformer for 180.00 but found a used on on eBay for 55.00. I took a chance and it works great! I originally wanted the design that is most popular from all the sellers, more of a T shaped setup with an X shaped footprint, but even though this design retails for more than the other one, I found one on eBay that I’m pretty sure the seller goofed up the price and it was way cheaper! I wasn’t happy about getting this model at first but now I really like that it has the storage for the long bars inside the legs.
I decided to skip putting on the support bars and shelf on the back that they come with so I can slide it right up next to my fixture table. It’s level with the top of the table, takes up very little room, and fits perfect! My first project was to make a cover for the magnet since I do a lot of grinding on my fixture table and don’t want the grinding dust sticking to the magnet. Then I made a couple boxes for my steering wheel puller and universal hub puller since those had crappy cardboard boxes that I’ve been meaning to replace. Finally just for fun, I made a vintage style open top toolbox.
So far it’s been great! I’ve bent 22ga, 20ga, 16ga, even some 14ga with ease and it has nice crisp bends on everything. I’m excited to not have to use a hammer and the edge of my table to bend sheet metal anymore. Although I think I need to get a spot welder now…
