Manual brake setup and operation: methods and worked application

Six steps in order: level the brake and check the crown, set the clearance (2 t within four gauges of capacity, 1.5 t if lighter), set the clamping pressure, make a test bend, bend the piece, and verify the angles at both ends and the center.

1

Level the brake; equal light at both ends shows the crown is right

2

Set the clearance from the metal's thickness

3

Set the clamping pressure at the ends, then match the center

4

Test bend in scrap and adjust

5

Bend line at the front edge of the fingers; overbend if springback requires it

6

Check the angle at both ends and the center against the drawing