Magnetic sheet metal brakes

[Scratch]

Does anyone here have one of those magnetic sheet metal brakes?

I've been watching and wanting one of these things for a couple years now and I think I'm getting close to pulling the trigger. I know there are a bunch of brands like Eastwood, Magnabend, Kaka, Roper Whitney, Baileigh, and I assume they are all the same but the prices are pretty varied and I don't really know why other than name.

What I really want to know is are they worth it? I know all about the benefits of using them vs standard brakes, but are there times when they just don't work as well as a standard brake? (even if you're still in the capacity range) I'd just like to hear from someone who uses them before I spend the money on one.

Here are a few that I found today if you don't know what I'm talking about:
Any input?

https://www.eastwood.com/48-inch-electr ... brake.html $2999

https://baileigh.com/bb-4816m-v2-magnet ... -YEALw_wcB $3599

https://www.ebay.com/itm/356567796323?c ... gTEALw_wcB $2249

https://shapethemetal.com/products/magn ... pTT8&gQT=1 $3750

[adbuch]

I have both standard finger brakes and a Baileigh mag brake here in my shop. I mainly use the mag brake for operations I can't do with my standard finger brakes - like when I fold up my 12" x 12" x 6" deep boxes that I use as liners for my shipping containers. There are 8 total bends - I do all but 2 of them on my RoperWhitney 16ga finger brake. The other 2 bends I do on the mag brake.

To me, the standard brake is much faster and more convenient to use than the mag brake. But there are many things that can be done using the mag brake that are not doable on the standard finger brake.

For what I do, I would buy a standard brake before buying a mag brake. In fact - that's exactly what I did. Got my first finger brake about 40 years ago, my second one about 10 years ago, and the mag brake around 2017.

I think I paid around $3500 for my Baileigh mag brake at the time. It is a very nice tool to have when you need it.

David

bend lines.jpg

box.jpg

finger brake.jpg

mag brake.jpg

[martyy]

I am in the same boat, trying to determine which type of brake to buy. Really seems like having both standard finger and the mag brake available would be ideal, but not something I can swing right now. I do believe that most are the same manufacturer with different branding.

To add to your list, I ran across a guy selling another version of the mag brake with pneumatic cylinders on FB. Here is his website. Asking $3995
https://allthingspmc.com/

[adbuch]

I think if you can only buy one and you it is only for occasional use, the mag brake is more versatile and a good choice. If you really do lots of sheet metal bending then a good quality finger brake (box and pan brake) would be my first choice.

Also, I had to buy a special transformer (buck - boost transformer) to run my mag brake due to the voltage requirements. So I have to power up the transformer before using the mag brake and power it down afterwards. If I left it on all the time, it still draws current and gets hot. Check the voltage requirements of the mag brake you are considering and compare it to your actual available shop voltage.

David

[05Duramax]

These are interesting and the price point seems very reasonable. I am not understanding the difference between a finger brake and the mag break though, they look like they both do the same thing????

[Scratch]

These are interesting and the price point seems very reasonable. I am not understanding the difference between a finger brake and the mag break though, they look like they both do the same thing????

Here's a video that explains some of what they can do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLTUIU8KvUM&t=

[adbuch]

Here are several videos showing the Baileigh mag brake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcQruDJcH3g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnqFnShSJvQ

baileigh hf.jpg

Typical finger brake (box and pan) demo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5EShm8eN_g

finger brake.jpg

[05Duramax]

Thanks for the links guys, will check them out

[adbuch]

Thanks for the links guys, will check them out

[Scratch]

I have both standard finger brakes and a Baileigh mag brake here in my shop. I mainly use the mag brake for operations I can't do with my standard finger brakes - like when I fold up my 12" x 12" x 6" deep boxes that I use as liners for my shipping containers. There….

Have you had any electrical problems with it? I’m concerned that it might have problems over time with electrical parts failing or something. I know standard box and pan brakes are pretty bulletproof since they don’t plug in and I’m concerned about that.

[adbuch]

I have had no electrical problems with it, or any other problems for a that matter.

Voltage Range:
To ensure proper performance and prevent damage, the power supplied should be within a range of 220VAC +/- 5%, which translates to 209VAC to 231VAC

My line voltage is around 240 Vac, so I had to install a bucking transformer to get the supply voltage down to within the specified range.

This is the transformer I am using.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005G5HLHO?re ... in_title_2

transformer.jpg

By the way, I looked at several other brands of mag brakes and purchased the Baileigh base on specs and recommendations from others I know who already had this particular brake and gave it high marks.

If you are using it to make conventional bends using the full width upper leaf - then it is very quick to use. For specialized applications like the boxes I make or the project shown in the demo video where the individual shorter leaves are used - then a little bit more time is involved for setup. But these are bends I can't do with either of my other two 48" finger brakes.

David

[Scratch]

I’m seriously considering that eBay one in my link above. It’s made by Kaka and has a 1 year warranty like all the other brands, but that one listing on eBay is almost 800 cheaper than the others. It’s the only one left, maybe they just want to move it and discounted it, they have another one that is more expensive. I’m sure it’s the same as all the others, they look identical.

Thing that scares me a little is I can find lots of videos from people that own a Baileigh and Eastwood, but I can’t find anyone with a Kaka…

[Scratch]

I have had no electrical problems with it, or any other problems for a that matter.

Voltage Range:
To ensure proper performance and prevent damage, the power supplied should be within a range of 220VAC +/- 5%, which translates to 209VAC to 231VAC

My line voltage is around 240 Vac, so I had to install a bucking transformer to get the supply voltage down to within the specified range.

To test your line voltage, did you just put a voltmeter on the unplugged 220 outlet? Or do you need to plug in the bender and test it while clamping or something?

[adbuch]

I’m seriously considering that eBay one in my link above. It’s made by Kaka and has a 1 year warranty like all the other brands, but that one listing on eBay is almost 800 cheaper than the others. It’s the only one left, maybe they just want to move it and discounted it, they have another one that is more expensive. I’m sure it’s the same as all the others, they look identical.

Thing that scares me a little is I can find lots of videos from people that own a Baileigh and Eastwood, but I can’t find anyone with a Kaka…

The Kaka looks identical to the Bailiegh. I expect it comes from the same factory as the Baileigh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfX9yETZ5SY

kaka mag brake.jpg

Kaka is a brand that I had not heard of before until very recently. I purchased one of their power hammers and it seems like a well built quality tool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nDVrPhyZ-8

kaka power hammer.jpg

I paid $2700 with free shipping and no tax for mine several months ago, and I see the price is now up to around $3500.

I would not hesitate to pull the trigger on the Kaka mag brake on Ebay. I expect prices will be going up soon.

David

[adbuch]

I have had no electrical problems with it, or any other problems for a that matter.

Voltage Range:
To ensure proper performance and prevent damage, the power supplied should be within a range of 220VAC +/- 5%, which translates to 209VAC to 231VAC

My line voltage is around 240 Vac, so I had to install a bucking transformer to get the supply voltage down to within the specified range.

To test your line voltage, did you just put a voltmeter on the unplugged 220 outlet? Or do you need to plug in the bender and test it while clamping or something?

Yes - use your voltmeter to test the ac voltage at your "220 outlet". No need to have any load connected.

David

[acourtjester]

Hey Scratch I think the " It’s the only one left," statement is for push lookers to buy thinking they will miss out in the buy.

[SegoMan DeSigns]

I myself like hydraulics and want to build something similar to this:

https://youtu.be/2_RRf1W7qqg?si=W81_xMP0EW8kQgua

[adbuch]

Hey Scratch I think the " It’s the only one left," statement is for push lookers to buy thinking they will miss out in the buy.

Tom - on my Kaka power hammer, I got the only one left at $2799 with free shipping and then when more came in, the price had increased to around $3500 plus shipping. I'm glad I ordered when I did.


David

[adbuch]

I myself like hydraulics and want to build something similar to this:

https://youtu.be/2_RRf1W7qqg?si=W81_xMP0EW8kQgua

Steve - very cool brake! Looks like a great machining/fabrication project.

David

[adbuch]

Tom - I took another look at that Ebay listing and it doesn't say it's the only one left. The listing is just for a single item. Perhaps they only have one in stock - no way of really knowing. With my Ebay listings, many times I will list quantity 5 or 10 just so I don't have to keep track of every listing and relist when it sells. I do have at least one listing for a Mitler Brother's louver press kit where I only have one to sell - so similar to the Kaka listing Scratch is looking at.

David

[adbuch]

Here are a few sample pieces I did when I was first trying out my mag brake.
I could not make these bends on my traditional finger brakes.


David

20250407_180152_resized.jpg

20250407_180147_resized.jpg

20250407_180130_resized.jpg

[Scratch]

I’m just having a hard time spending that much money on an eBay listing. I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than like 200 bucks for an eBay item. The seller has a good rating and I’m sure it’s legit, but it still scares me.
I called Kaka today and they said they’d warranty that eBay one if it had problems and that if I sent them a screenshot, they’d price match it, which I felt much better about!

Just my luck, that one for 2249 is now 2815!

[martyy]

I’m just having a hard time spending that much money on an eBay listing. I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than like 200 bucks for an eBay item. The seller has a good rating and I’m sure it’s legit, but it still scares me.
I called Kaka today and they said they’d warranty that eBay one if it had problems and that if I sent them a screenshot, they’d price match it, which I felt much better about!

Just my luck, that one for 2249 is now 2815!

I have bought from that EBay seller in your link as well the Kaka Industrial one. No issues with either. Bought a tube roller and dies.

[adbuch]

I’m just having a hard time spending that much money on an eBay listing. I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than like 200 bucks for an eBay item. The seller has a good rating and I’m sure it’s legit, but it still scares me.
I called Kaka today and they said they’d warranty that eBay one if it had problems and that if I sent them a screenshot, they’d price match it, which I felt much better about!

Just my luck, that one for 2249 is now 2815!

Kaka has an Ebay store as well. You can buy the same mag brake at the same price there as well.

Buying from an Ebay store is not really any different that buying from a website. I have both a website and Ebay store and get more "eyeballs" at my Ebay store.

David

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335283398579?i ... SwPPtj7FLU

kaka.jpg

[acourtjester]

I was just stating that it was one method sales uses to activate a sale. Seller on eBay use different ways to generate a sale, lower price but a shipping with a cost, or free shipping with shipping built into the price. Not saying it is wrong just ways to trigger a buyer. I have bought many things and sold many things on ebay and still do. I bought an 2 old cars for over 10K some time back for an individuals. One thing for sure it pays to shop around, it your money.