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Most sheet metal brakes are built like tanks – the good ones anyway. On top of that, they are simple pieces of machinery. This combination makes them almost indestructible under normal use – anything can be abused to death of course. But for most hobby-metalworkers, an older, second-hand metal bender can be quite the bargain. As long as a used sheet metal brake has had a good home and has received proper maintenance, there is no reason why it couldn’t serve another ten or twenty years in your workshop.

There are some obvious advantages to buying used and the main argument in favor to me is that you can often afford a much bigger machine, if it used. You also have the privilege of knowing that it works. This somewhat makes up for the fact that you get no warranty when you buy second-hand. Often, the current owner may also have some tips for you to make the most of it. Perhaps it has some quirks to be aware of – stuff they would never write in an instruction manual. All that said, it is still a used machine, so you should definitely do a visual inspection of it and testdrive it too, if possible.

Things to look for:
- There should be no or minimal rust on critical parts like the bed, clamping leaf and bending leaf. Rust, if severe enough, can cause pitting in otherwise level milled steel surfaces, so if you spot heavy rust, proceed with caution.

- Bolts and nuts should be tight – this goes without saying. Ensure that no bolts are bent, and also that they have not rusted to the point of being stuck. Future maintenance can be pretty difficult if you can’t take the thing apart, so this is important.

- Bearings and pivots should certainly be well-greased and not feel crunchy or uneven in their movement in any way. Especially the hinging that takes place with the clamping leaf and bending leaf should be smooth and work without a hitch.

- The general state of repair should be good. There is not much use in the abovementioned issues coming out perfect, if the supporting structures don’t cut the mustard. Check to see if the legs or stand of the sheet metal brake has been bent or deformed anywhere. If it has, it could be a problem, since the average metal bender is really heavy and would place too much stress on a weakened stand.

- Make sure you get the original manual too. Not that you will need it to operate the machine, but because you want as much information about it as possible – like contact information for the manufacturer, special warranties (make sure to get any proofs of registration of purchase), specifications and maintenance instructions, etc.

- Don’t forget to get any spare parts that the owner may have lying around included in the deal.

This should cover most of what you need to be aware of when shopping for a used sheet metal brake. If you go by this list and use your common sense, you should be able to get a good machine for your workshop.

Category: Sheet Metal Brake

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