Don't Buy Just Any Used Sheet Metal Brake

It is alright to want to save some cash on metalworking machines, but don't be too cheap! Even if you decide to buy a used sheet metal brake and not a new one, it still needs to be able to do what it is supposed to do.

So how do you know you have a good one on your hands? Well, it never hurts to know a little about how much use it has seen in its life so far. If the seller is a professional sheet metal shop, and this old brake is being replaced with a new one, try to imagine why that is. Did they want a bigger one? Or did they simply wear the old one down? The good thing about sheet metal benders is that most of the wear will be very visible - they are such simple machines. What might not be visible though, is a couple of worn out bearings. Since the bearings are essential to this sort of equipment, you could be looking at getting replacements. They won't necessarily cost you an arm or a leg, but there will be some cost - which will be reason enough for a bit of bargaining.

On the other hand, the metal bender you are looking at may have been recently replaced by a press brake - in which case perhaps it hasn't seen use for a long time. You never know, of course. You should insist on testing it on a few pieces of scrap metal - to get a feel for it and verify that it works the way you want it to. At this time you can get a good impression of the state of the bearings, among other things. Other than that, you want to look at all the obvious things, like rust, bends, cracks and dents in critical positions. It is essential that the condition is good for parts such as the clamping leaf, the bending leaf and the bed. These parts are made of heavy steel, and if they are not in working condition, it will cost a substantial amount to replace them - possibly more than any used sheet metal brake is worth. They should not have dents, cracks or heavy rust on their working surfaces, as this will affect the results you can expect to get working with the machine. If there was damage like that, it would certainly make me pass on the purchase.

Other minor flaws are more forgivable. Does it need a paint-job? Does it need a bit of grease? Couple of bolts missing? As long as you can get replacements in the form of standard parts like bolts and nuts, there is nothing to fear. If, on the other hand, you have to scour the second hand market in the hope of finding some obscure, original spare part - just to make the machine usable - don't buy it. It will be more trouble than it is worth, and there are always more out there in better condition.

More of the info you need about buying a used sheet metal brake at sheet metal brakes.com.