I wish to bend some 3 to 4mm ali sheets to make up some running boards for a trailer. Plenty of other things I would like to make. How restricted is the traditional Edwards type hand folder. Or do I need a finger type machine? They aren't cheap! Would it be possible to convert a standard folder to the finger type ..read more

Finally got my trailer mudguards finished. 3mm aluminium. Really solid. I bent up the long sides on my trusty 6ft Keetona. Good job it weighs 1200kg. Two blokes on the handle and it was still very hard work so I decided to use some hydraulic assistance - and the bar was already bent not me I was going to build a small hydraulic bender to do the other folds. Then I remembered @sako243 had an old Edwards Trufold. It took me a few hours as I had to widen all the Vs. Some laser... Read more ..read more

Hi, I'm very new to all of this so looking for some advice. I need to make a couple of sills exactly like this. They are around a meter long. They have some sharp bends as you can see but the main bend/curve is softer. Any advice on that welcome but also has anyone used the Sealey TS01 metal folder ..read more

I hadn’t until the adverts came on during recent late night wrestling They supply equipment for bending,curving and twisting metal to make ornamental and decorative things ..read more

Has anyone ever made their own dimple dies (maximum size about 3 - 4 inches but square and round)? application is for thin sheet steel and aluminium. What material did you use, I have been told that hard woods and even hard pu / hdpe plastics can be a good material with the benefit of easy machining. I do not want to invest large amounts into tooling that will have very limited use. Any thoughts or guidance would be appreciated ..read more

Just looking for any feedback if anyone has used either of these hydraulic knockout punch kits? I normally use Stakesy’s for most of my workshop kit and keep looking at this kit from them; HHK-8D Hydraulic Knockout Punch Kit HHK-8D Hydraulic Knockout Punch KitFantastic piece of equipment for punching holes in steel and aluminium sheets. It makes a perfect clean punch without any damage to surrounding material. Unlike wobbly hole saws it will produce a dimensionally accurate h stakesys.co.uk But also looking at these on eBay as look identical... Read more ..read more

Anyone know of a metal spinner that will sell these, I've tried a few places, one wanting me to buy 400 minimum order ..read more

I was trying to heat a spring to reduce some of the pressure it took to compress it. This did'nt go to plan. I've tried quenching it to turn it springy again but it has no effect. Any suggestions? It's a small spring from a domestic appliance ..read more

Hi My son wants to make some strongman equipment. Currently he wants "Dinnie Stone" handles (basically a round steel ring handle with a hanging tube for silly heavy weights). There are large and small stone "classes" so rings seem to be: Large 3/4 " rod ring 125mm internal diameter Small 9/16 rod 100mm id. Looked at DC iron etc and Boat Chandlers but they don't have rod diameter and ring diameter. If anyone can offer a couple of each I'd be pleased to pay . They can be open join... Read more ..read more

I’ve been very fortunate to have some slip rolls land in my lap. I haven’t really got a clue how to use them properly. They are (I assume) fairly old with ‘buck and Hickman London’ cast on the legs and are about 3 feet wide and unlikely to blow away. They seem like a fairly straightforward/foolproof piece of equipment, but in my hands all bets are off! So is there anything I should watch out for when having a go? First thing that I’m not sure of is which way the back roller works. Most... Read more ..read more