MetalMonkey
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- UK
I've always fancied a decent folder but never really done enough with sheet to need one.
However one has come up locally at quite an attractive price so I'm tempted to invest as it seems a handy sort of thing to have.
Trouble is not having had much call for one I'm not really sure what are useful features or not.
I know I'd want the finger/pan box type as it would probably be more flexible.
The machine in question appears to be an 80/90s industrial manual finger folder with around 2 foot capacity.
I've no idea if that is enough to be useful or just a waste of time, larger is usually better in my book - but space is at a premium.
I can't find anything that looks exactly like it but it is similar to the middle folder here with the segmented fingers
https://hmmachineryuk.co.uk/products/2/sheet-metalworking/8/hand-operated-manual-folders
The first thing I've noticed is this type of design only appears to allow for a 90 degree bend compared to other designs which offer a 135 degree.
I would have thought it would have been necessary to have a greater than 90 degree capability to account for the spring of the material?
Is there an advantage to having the fingers vertically (I'm assuming greater box depth and perhaps increased thickness capacity)?
I'm assuming the designs with the angled fingers give you clearance for reverse bends/z section etc?
Anything else to look out for when considering or evaluating a folder?
Answers on a (neatly folded) postcard welcomed.
However one has come up locally at quite an attractive price so I'm tempted to invest as it seems a handy sort of thing to have.
Trouble is not having had much call for one I'm not really sure what are useful features or not.
I know I'd want the finger/pan box type as it would probably be more flexible.
The machine in question appears to be an 80/90s industrial manual finger folder with around 2 foot capacity.
I've no idea if that is enough to be useful or just a waste of time, larger is usually better in my book - but space is at a premium.
I can't find anything that looks exactly like it but it is similar to the middle folder here with the segmented fingers
https://hmmachineryuk.co.uk/products/2/sheet-metalworking/8/hand-operated-manual-folders
The first thing I've noticed is this type of design only appears to allow for a 90 degree bend compared to other designs which offer a 135 degree.
I would have thought it would have been necessary to have a greater than 90 degree capability to account for the spring of the material?
Is there an advantage to having the fingers vertically (I'm assuming greater box depth and perhaps increased thickness capacity)?
I'm assuming the designs with the angled fingers give you clearance for reverse bends/z section etc?
Anything else to look out for when considering or evaluating a folder?
Answers on a (neatly folded) postcard welcomed.
