MadModder

The Shop => Tools => Topic started by: John Rudd on November 10, 2009, 02:58:25 PM

Title: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: John Rudd on November 10, 2009, 02:58:25 PM
I've seen numerous plans for sheet metal bending/box formers but none for cutting...

Anyone got any links they wish to share?
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: tinkerer on November 10, 2009, 04:59:57 PM
This the only one I could find.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sheet-Metal-Power-Shears-HowTo-Build-PLANS-Drill-Attach_W0QQitemZ360201503007QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091026?IMSfp=TL091026199005r32975
Harbor Freight sells an 8" 18 guage aluminum capacity for about 140 US.
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: John Rudd on November 10, 2009, 05:10:44 PM
Tinkerer,

Seen that one not quite what I was after....but thanks any way   :clap:

Looking for something along the lines of a treadle type but on a smaller scale  :scratch:
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: tinkerer on November 10, 2009, 05:18:52 PM
Can't find plans for a treadle shear, but I found one for the lathe. Pretty neat concept.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sheet-Metal-Shear-Roll-Type-Lathe-Accesory-HowTo-PLANS_W0QQitemZ360025130536QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53d32b8628
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: John Rudd on November 10, 2009, 05:29:12 PM
Thanks T....I'll  keep looking or else bite the bullet and buy one...
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: bogstandard on November 10, 2009, 06:34:59 PM
John,

I think the trouble in making one yourself would be the shear itself, both parts would need to be ground to get the angles and edges sharp enough. Especially since the blades would need to be hardened. A milling cutter wouldn't stand a chance.

I have one of the 3 in 1 machines, and even though it works, it does none of the jobs particularly well.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/sessionID/QOL/product-Axminster-305mm-Sheet-Metal-Worker-23311.htm

You would be better off getting a small dedicated one, if they are available.

John
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: John Rudd on November 11, 2009, 05:35:42 AM
John,

 both parts would need to be ground to get the angles and edges sharp enough. Especially since the blades would need to be hardened.

I have one of the 3 in 1 machines, and even though it works, it does none of the jobs particularly well.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/sessionID/QOL/product-Axminster-305mm-Sheet-Metal-Worker-23311.htm

You would be better off getting a small dedicated one, if they are available.

John

John,

I thought perhaps that the shears might need to be hardened and ground... :scratch:

I'd considered one of the 3-in-one machines, Engineer's Toolroom advertise then for £145 I think...What put me off was there's little info on the net about how they perform... From what you say, it looks like  I'll have to keep searching...

The thing is the price of the T-I-o machine looked very attractive...It's going to cost me around the same sort of money to build a box pan folder alone...

Thanks for your opinion  :beer:
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: bogstandard on November 11, 2009, 09:00:51 AM
John,

I am not saying that they are bad, but they are very limited and rather difficult to set up for each job.

Everything has to work from one handle, so as you can imagine, for rolling it is turn thru 360 degrees, whereas for shear and bend, it is only a partial movement. Each part cannot be disconnected, so as you are rolling, the guillotine and bender are working at the same time.

You can get small rolls and benders seperately, but I don't think that small bench shears are generally available. None of the facilities on the 3 in 1 are as good or as controllable as you would get from 3 individual small machines.


John
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: jim on November 11, 2009, 09:52:43 AM
i've got an old one that was home made (saw someone chucking it in a skip!).

if you want i could strip it down and measure all the parts :thumbup:
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: trevoratxtal on November 11, 2009, 10:16:54 AM
Hello John
I have had one of these for many years, the way they are made could be done in the home workshop.
http://www.mjallen.co.uk/library/catalog/Sheet_Metal_Working/rmt_gabro_guillotine_%20notcher%20_folder.pdf
They are the bees knees for sheet metal.
I do not mean for you to by one!, but to copy, all of it is prefabricated the blade can be made.
If you can weld it makes it even easier but if not just extra bolts and drilling.
Close up photos could be sent with dimensions.
Trev
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: John Rudd on November 11, 2009, 12:14:28 PM
i've got an old one that was home made (saw someone chucking it in a skip!).

if you want i could strip it down and measure all the parts :thumbup:

Jim,

I couldnt possibly expect you to do that....How about a photo? That would give some idea of 'doability'


I think the main issue is going to be how to harden the cuttings edges....


@ trevatxtal,
I think I may have come across the site you linked  :scratch: The notcher guillotine would be ideal for cutting printed circuit boards for me, but a pit on the pricey side methinks...Thanks to all who have contributed.. :beer:
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: Powder Keg on November 11, 2009, 07:09:35 PM
I'm glad you guys started this thread. I've been looking for a Circle shear. They are awfully expensive!!! It will make my spinning go a lot easier. I think I can make one with the roll shear plans on Ebay. I'll keep everyone posted.

Wes
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: tinkerer on November 11, 2009, 11:07:18 PM
Another option for cutting metal is a pin router. For you fellas with a mill and RT, it should be an easy task. Even your woodworking router table can cut to metal to patterns you use for a guide.
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: John Rudd on November 12, 2009, 03:52:19 AM
Even your woodworking router table can cut to metal to patterns you use for a guide.

Now there's an idea....I could just use a hss cutter... :thumbup:

What's a pin router? :scratch:
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: jim on November 12, 2009, 07:50:18 AM
heres some pics

(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/jimmyocharlie/DSC00136.jpg)

(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/jimmyocharlie/DSC00137.jpg)

(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/jimmyocharlie/DSC00138.jpg)

(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/jimmyocharlie/DSC00135.jpg)
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: John Rudd on November 12, 2009, 08:21:45 AM
Jim,

Thanks for the shots....Not quite what I had in mind...Thinking along the lines of the treadle type

Thanks anyway  :thumbup:
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: jim on November 12, 2009, 10:17:00 AM
atleast i didn't take it pieces!! :lol: :lol:

its a great tool :thumbup:
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: tinkerer on November 12, 2009, 12:56:58 PM


Now there's an idea....I could just use a hss cutter... :thumbup:

What's a pin router? :scratch:
[/quote]
A pin router can be either up spiral or down spiral. It is a high speed bit for cutting fiber, plastic or aluminum. It is used in aviation with patterns for cutting stacks of parts to send to the stamping presses or the form brakes. You can get them with a bearing on top to follow a wood or other material pattern.
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: NickG on November 13, 2009, 03:40:27 AM
John,

We have a large treadle guillatine at our club. Will take some pics next time I am there if you like. Should be on Tuesday.

Nick
Title: Re: sheet metal guillotine
Post by: John Rudd on November 13, 2009, 05:20:11 AM
John,

We have a large treadle guillatine at our club. Will take some pics next time I am there if you like. Should be on Tuesday.

Nick

Nick,

Thanks, its a starter for ten...