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Knowing the proper size of your sheet metal can make life a lot easier when using your sheet metal brake. Here you will find a chart and easy forumlas to properly match your metal to your brake.
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Gauge #
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Mild Steel
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Stainless Steel
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Aluminum
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7
|
.179
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----
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----
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8
|
.164
|
.172
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----
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9
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.150
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.156
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----
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10
|
.135
|
.141
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----
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11
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.120
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.125
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----
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12
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.105
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.109
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----
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13
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.090
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.094
|
.072
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14
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.075
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.078
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.064
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15
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.067
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.070
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.057
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16
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.060
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.063
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.051
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17
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.054
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.056
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.045
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18
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.048
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.050
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.040
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19
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.042
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.044
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.036
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20
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.036
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.038
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.032
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21
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.033
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.034
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.028
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22
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.030
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.031
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.025
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23
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.027
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.028
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.023
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24
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.024
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.025
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.020
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25
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.021
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.022
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.018
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26
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.018
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.019
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.017
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27
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.016
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.017
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.014
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28
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.015
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.016
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----
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29
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.014
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.014
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----
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30
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.012
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.013
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----
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31
|
----
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.011
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----
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General Rule of Thumb:
The maximum capacity of a sheet metal brake or shear is based on the total thickness/gauge of mild steel at its full length. For example, 20-gauge mild steel is .036” thick. So, a 20-gauge brake has a maximum bending capacity of .036”. Now to find the maximum capacity for aluminum, simply multiply the thickness of your mild steel by 1.5. For Example, we determined that 20-gauge mild steel was .036” thick, so multiply .036” by 1.5 (.036 X 1.5). The answer is .054”. According to the chart provided above a 20-gauge brake will also bend 16-gauge aluminum but not quite 15-gauge, because .054” falls between .051”, which is 16-gauge aluminum, and .057”, which is 15-gauge aluminum.NOTE: You may brake or shear thicker material in shorter lengths. For example: A 6’ 20 gauge brake will bend a 6’ length of 20 gauge mild steel. It will also bend a piece of 2’ 16 gauge mild steel.
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