Graham Gott
Aluminum
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2010
- Location
- Iron Station, NC
I do fabrication work part time at my home shop as a hobby, with the occasional paying job that supplements my racing habit. In the past six months or so I picked up a customer that started off with a few small projects that have steadily increased in size and frequency. My most recent project includes a cabinet fabricated from 14 gauge mild steel, which has not been a fun thing to do with my apron brakes. They're rated for 14 gauge, but that's with the angle installed, so you lose the capability to do return flanges. It's also not fun to operate a box and pan brake at full capacity...stuff that's easy in 18 gauge is a challenge in 14. Assuming I keep him happy, it's likely more work of this nature is coming my way, plus the added capability wouldn't hurt on my own projects and might allow me to find some more outside work.
So, I have started doing some research on press brakes. Being that this is a sideline for me, I'm definitely going to be looking at used equipment. In the limited research I've done so far, it looks like a DiAcro 14-72 would be about the ideal machine for my application. I'm not looking to do huge quantities of heavy stuff, but the 35 tons would give me the ability to do limited amounts of 10 gauge or 3/16" for brackets and the like, as well as 14 gauge full width. I certainly would not turn down a 16-72 or 14-48 if I happened across one, either. I like the idea of the hydro-mech system on the DiAcro brakes, it seems like a good blend of hydraulic and mechanical characteristics.
Now I'm looking to answer some questions, like:
1. Are there other brakes out there I should be looking at besides DiAcro? I have seen a couple mechanical Niagara's and Wysong's with similar capacity. I doubt a real modern brake is going to fit in my price range, which is definitely less than $10K, and probably closer to $5K.
2. Since I'm buying used, what do I need to look for in a used press brake to tell if it's worth buying or not? I have quite a bit of experience with my apron brakes and jump shear, but I've never run a press brake beyond the attachment I've made for my press. It sounds like the DiAcro system is prone to leaks at the hydraulic motor that are annoying but not terminal. Are there other quirks with these that I need to watch for? What are signs of guaranteed abuse that mean I should keep looking for another machine?
3. How tough are these to move? It looks like a 14-48 DiAcro is about 2500 lbs and a 14-72 is closer to 6000. Obviously there's a fair amount of that weight up high. I have moved both of my apron brakes (big one is a 10' x 14 gauge Chicago) and my 8' jump shear, as well as my mill and lathe, so I have a clue about moving equipment, but a press brake appears to be a whole different animal.
Thanks in advance for reading, and any advice you might have for me.
So, I have started doing some research on press brakes. Being that this is a sideline for me, I'm definitely going to be looking at used equipment. In the limited research I've done so far, it looks like a DiAcro 14-72 would be about the ideal machine for my application. I'm not looking to do huge quantities of heavy stuff, but the 35 tons would give me the ability to do limited amounts of 10 gauge or 3/16" for brackets and the like, as well as 14 gauge full width. I certainly would not turn down a 16-72 or 14-48 if I happened across one, either. I like the idea of the hydro-mech system on the DiAcro brakes, it seems like a good blend of hydraulic and mechanical characteristics.
Now I'm looking to answer some questions, like:
1. Are there other brakes out there I should be looking at besides DiAcro? I have seen a couple mechanical Niagara's and Wysong's with similar capacity. I doubt a real modern brake is going to fit in my price range, which is definitely less than $10K, and probably closer to $5K.
2. Since I'm buying used, what do I need to look for in a used press brake to tell if it's worth buying or not? I have quite a bit of experience with my apron brakes and jump shear, but I've never run a press brake beyond the attachment I've made for my press. It sounds like the DiAcro system is prone to leaks at the hydraulic motor that are annoying but not terminal. Are there other quirks with these that I need to watch for? What are signs of guaranteed abuse that mean I should keep looking for another machine?
3. How tough are these to move? It looks like a 14-48 DiAcro is about 2500 lbs and a 14-72 is closer to 6000. Obviously there's a fair amount of that weight up high. I have moved both of my apron brakes (big one is a 10' x 14 gauge Chicago) and my 8' jump shear, as well as my mill and lathe, so I have a clue about moving equipment, but a press brake appears to be a whole different animal.
Thanks in advance for reading, and any advice you might have for me.