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Clamp 'n Bend, photo etch bender
There
are a couple commercial photo etch (PE) benders on the market these days (Hold
and Fold and Etch
Mate). When the original PE bender, the Hold and Fold, was released the 4" size was too small for my needs. So, on a visit
home where all my metal working tools reside, I scrounged
up some scrap aluminium and hardware and created
my own PE bender. Which I affectionately call the Clamp 'n Bend.
If you have a hacksaw, a drill press, and files, you can make your own PE
bender. Here are the dimensions of my home made PE bender.
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The Base was made from 1/4" thick aluminium
tread plate. The back side was nice and smooth.
I drilled and tapped the base so I could thread the bolts through the
base and tighten them. If you don't have a tap set, file the holes square
and use carriage bolts instead.
Under the base, I used some felt feet to raise the base so the bolt
heads cleared the workbench surface. |
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Tool A was made from 1-1/4" angle aluminium
with one edge cut down to act as a stiffener when tightened over the PE.
Each notch in the tool is 1/4" wide and allows bending more complex
shapes.
The front edge is filed to a 45 degree angle to allow bending past 90
degrees. |
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Tool B provides longer straight edges for larger
pieces. The rear edge can also be used for even larger pieces. |
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Here is what my completed Clamp 'n Bend looks like.
As you can see, the scraps I used were not blemish free. However, the
clamping surfaces are. |
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The Clamp 'n Bend in action...
To bend the PE, simply slide the PE under the tool, tighten the wing nuts to
clamp the PE securely. Slide a utility knife blade under the PE and bend up.
This is basically a very simple sheet metal break. |
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