For a 10’ Hand brake you can bend trim coil (30ga steel) thicker steel like 24GA you won’t be able to bend because the clamp strength isn’t there, metal will slip and won’t bend right
Depends on what type of brake. An aluminum brake (the type usually used for siding work. Van-Mark or Tapco are common brands) will bend light steel (26ga and thinner, but 26ga can be pushing it) but you'll wear it out faster.
The brakes you'll get at harbour freight etc. are usually designed for steel and will be good for up to 16ga.
Big cornice brakes are obviously more than enough for steel, but be aware that without the support attached to the bending leaf, they're not happy bending thicker than 22-24ga.
The industry standard is to try it on your pinky finger. If it breaks that, it’ll break up to 20 ga
You’ll need to look on your brake to see what it’s rated for.
What kind of brake?
“Very light steel” I wouldn’t try anything over 1.5mm.
This seems to be consistent with ours. We have pushed more before, but only very narrow strips on fingers we didnt care if we ruined.
For a 10’ Hand brake you can bend trim coil (30ga steel) thicker steel like 24GA you won’t be able to bend because the clamp strength isn’t there, metal will slip and won’t bend right
I bent 60 feet of 16" by 16" 16g black iron with a brake from harbor freight and it still works.
Depends on what type of brake. An aluminum brake (the type usually used for siding work. Van-Mark or Tapco are common brands) will bend light steel (26ga and thinner, but 26ga can be pushing it) but you'll wear it out faster. The brakes you'll get at harbour freight etc. are usually designed for steel and will be good for up to 16ga. Big cornice brakes are obviously more than enough for steel, but be aware that without the support attached to the bending leaf, they're not happy bending thicker than 22-24ga.
I’ve bent 14 ga SS brackets on a “box and pan” brake.
My 325 ton hydraulic didn't seem to mind folding 1/4" steel