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DIY Copper Press

You can create a bend or crease in a copper sheet by using a sheet metal press. This industrial type machine, also referred to as a press brake or brake press, can cost thousands of dollars. However, you can make your own press for copper to use in a workshop or garage. To do this you can use an existing free-standing shop bench or install one specifically for your sheet metal press.

Things You'll Need

Tape measure
Sheet of 3/4-inch MDF
4-foot piano hinge
Screws
Power drill
8-foot length of 2-inch angle iron
Chop saw
Scrap sheet metal
Tin snips
Standard wrench
Socket wrench
Clamps
Felt tip marker

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width and depth of your workbench with the tape measure. Transfer the measurements to a piece of 3/4-inch MDF. Cut the MDF to this size with the circular saw.
- 2
  Place the cut piece of MDF on top of your workbench. The MDF will create a flat surface on the bench.
- 3
  Position the 4-foot piano hinge on the side of your workbench with the hinge side facing up. Secure the piano hinge to the side of your workbench with screws using the power drill.
- 4
  Measure to the center of the 8-foot length of angle iron and make a mark with the felt tip marker. Make a cut on the mark with the chop saw. This will give you two 4-foot pieces.
- 5
  Drill two 3/8-inch holes 1-inch apart and 1-inch from each end on one 4-foot length of angle iron. Drill two 3/8-inch holes 1-inch apart and 1-foot from each end of the other length of angle iron.
- 6
  Measure a piece of scrap metal to 2 inches by 2 inches. Cut the metal with the tin snips to make a shim. Repeat this step to cut five additional 2-inch by 2-inch shims.
- 7
  Place the length of angle iron with the holes 1-inch from each end on top of the workbench. Make sure the vertical angle is facing up and flush with the edge of the workbench.
- 8
  Set three shims under the holes on each side of the angle iron. Drill through the shims and through your workbench. Insert bolts into each of the holes and hand tighten a nut. Tighten the nut onto the each bolt with standard wrench and socket wrench.
- 9
  Attach the non-drilled side of the second piece of angle iron to the non-drilled side that you bolted onto the side of your workbench with clamps.
- 10
  Position the side of the piano hinge onto the side of the angle iron. Mark four to six holes for bolts with the felt tip marker. Drill holes through the angle iron with the power drill.
- 11
  Insert bolts into the holes of the piano hinge and through the angle iron. Attach nuts onto each bolt and tighten with the wrench and socket wrench. This will be the function part of the metal press.
- 12
  Fabricate a handle for the function part of the metal press. Drill and bolt the handle using the two holes on the second piece of angle iron.

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