Mobilizing my Sheet Metal Shear and Box Brake.

[OldCarGuy]

Two years ago I traded two surplus machines that been gathering dust in one of my garages for some sheet metal equipment. Tennsmith 48" 16 Gage Box & Pan Brake and a 52" 12 gage Foot Shear... I was first introduced to Tennsmith equipment over sixty years ago. My Father-in-Law had purchased the same model brake. That I had access to until his passing. I didn't have the foresight to purchase it back then. Rather I relied on others to use their equipment. And always yearned to own the pair. But always fell short of purchasing them. At my age I have to wonder does it make good sense? I've spent many years improvising by using power saws to cut the sheets. And clamping the sheet metal between an I-Beam and my big solid steel bench to form a bend. Or use my shaper's 16" vise. Tennsmith is by far not the best equipment out their. But beats most imported Chinese equipment that's flooding the market today. Plus Tennsmith continues to be manufactured in Tennessee for nearly 100 years...

The shear weighs in just under 1,400 pounds, while the brake weights 650 pounds. I don't have an open area needed to operate either one. Plus they're difficult to move. I decided to install four casters on each. So they can be stored off to the side and easily pulled out for use...

A piece of 3"x3"x1/4" angles was bolted to the bottom legs. And four 1 3/4" dia steel stock that can be cranked down for better stabilization when in use...





Same setup on the 12 gage 52" shear.


While white paint was out, I repainted the stomp pedal...