The 9 Best Sheet Metal Brakes
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in October of 2018. Roofing, siding, and duct work are some of the most grueling home improvement projects, and the right sheet metal brake will provide the mechanical advantage needed to make the task easier. We've gathered some of the best, from affordable, moderate-duty options meant for hobbyists and occasional metalworking gigs, as well as high-end units designed for full-time, professional use. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Kaka 915Z
2. Kaka PBB-4012
3. Van Mark Metal Master
Editor's Notes
June 11, 2021:
We removed a pair of miniature brakes from Kaka and Grizzly due to availability issues. In their place is the Kaka BDS-8, a versatile option for functional or artistic metalwork. It's meant for use with a bench vise but can also be finagled into working with hydraulic presses. It's about as durable as they come, although its creases aren't exactly razor sharp. For general use, though, it's an effective and dependable choice.
December 06, 2018:
Metalwork can be extremely difficult, and unless your middle name is "Bending," you'll need a machine to get finest creases. Kaka makes quite a few excellent models, ranging from the most affordable to some of the most expensive, and most of their products are supremely well-made. If remodeling your own home got you roped into re-siding multiple houses on your block (it happens), the Tapco is an affordable, large-scale option that can craft aluminum siding like almost nobody's business. Full-time pros will want something more high-end, like the Van Mark. Baileigh is often seen in industrial and automotive shops, and for good reason: they're well worth the investment. And out of all of them, the Swag probably offers the most actual clamping force on the metal.
4. Kaka BDS-8
5. Tapco Windy
6. Baileigh SBR-1220
7. Baileigh BB-4816M
8. Swag Off Road
9. Kaka BDS-8
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.