Tennsmith Inc. / 6926 Smithville Hwy. / McMinnville, TN 37110 / 931-934-2211 / Fax 931-934-2220
www.tennsmith.com
5
OPERATING THE BRAKE
CAPACITY:
The capacity of the brake is 22 gauge mild steel or 26 gauge stainless.
BENDING:
This function is accomplished by clamping the work piece under the hold down assembly (3, 4) so
that the line of the bend is held at the forward edge of the nose bar or fingers and by elevating the apron
assembly (2) until the desired degree of bend is obtained. The maximum degree of bend is approximately 130
degrees. Due to the “spring back” in various materials some over bending maybe required to get the desired
bend angle.
ADJUSTING FOR METAL THICKNESS:
The hold down assembly (3, 4) must be adjusted to allow for
clearance of the bend material according to the thickness of the material being worked. This adjustment is
made by slightly releasing the clamping pressure and moving the forward edge of the nose bar or fingers back,
away from the edge of the clamp block on the base.
This adjustment is made by loosening the set screw
(52) for the eccentric pin (51) one on each end of the hold down assembly and turning the eccentric pin
to move the edge of the hold down toward or away from the edge of the clamp block.
For 22 gauge and
lighter material allow a clearance equal to 1.5 to 2 times the thickness of the material.
A larger bend radius can
be accomplished by increasing the clearance.
ADJUSTING THE CLAMPING PRESURE:
The clamping pressure should be adjusted according to the
thickness of the material being worked. A common cause of forming problems is the result of either
inadequate
or
excessive
clamping pressure. Too much clamping pressure on one or both handles typically
will result in over bending the material on that particular end or relative to the center portion of the brake. Not
enough clamping pressure force will allow the material to slip during the bending process and result in an
under bent section. This under bending is often encountered in the center of the brake.
Clamping pressure should be enough to hold the material securely in place but not so great as to require
undue effort in locking the clamp handles. Clamping pressure on the ends of the brake is adjusted by turning
the nuts (54) on the threaded rod portion of the yoke assembly (47) which is below the clamp swivel (55). The
lift of the hold down assembly is adjusted by turning the nut above the clamp swivel. When the clamping
pressure is properly adjusted, lock the nuts against the clamp swivel to prevent any change in adjustment.
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