Depending on the project, there is an easy way and a hard way to bend angle iron. Each technique has its own pros and cons that will make it the superior choice at the time. Through some trial and error, you’ll develop gain the necessary knowledge to get the job done.

1. Manual Bending

Sometimes manual bending is the best way to handle Angle Iron. This is considered the most accessible technique for beginners. When you don’t want to break out the advanced techniques, manual bending is the best way to take on small scale jobs. It takes a bit of elbow grease with the correct positioning to get it right. But once you’re in the groove, manual bending becomes a suitable skill for non-complex bending tasks. Manual benders are a lot lower cost than they used to be, so it isn’t uncommon to see them in the garage of a mid-sized home.

2. Angle Roller

An angle roller is the technique you bring out when you want to make things interesting. This aligns with the expectations of a profile bending machine. This type of machine is best used when you want to do cold bending while utilizing different shapes and sizes. It’s best known for creating profiles like U, T, bars, beams and of course angles. In order to meet this flexibility, three rollers are used to bend the iron. These rollers have many uses, with the most important being its consistency over multiple uses. Unlike manual bending, maintaining precision puts more work on the machine than its actual user.

3. Stretch Forming Machine

Stretch forming is at its best when used for aerospace applications. It’s also known as wrap forming, and is the technique required to get materials to exceed their elastic limit. Once the created shape is made, the actual finished material turns out to be stronger than it was originally. When bending angle iron, this is a huge advantage to get the most out of every piece. Stretch forming is one of the more complex techniques when bending. Without proper knowledge, it is impossible to maintain the structural integrity of the created materials. Stretch forming is not a beginner friendly technique when you want angle iron bending! But when you approach it with care, the sky is the limit.

4. Press Brake

Some of the most popular large-scale operations use the press brake technique. This incredible machine is one of the most reliable ways to bend metal. Although it is popular for handling sheet metal, a press brake is one of the master techniques to handle the thickness of an angle iron. The NC press brake and CNC press brake are a staple for anyone that high accuracy without losing automation. They’re all useful, but the type of press brake you invest in will always be a huge decision. 

The Right Way

Everyone has their own special tips when it comes to handling big projects. But it is small things like angle iron techniques that make the entire project better. Focus on what matters, and make every cut count.

Published: 2023-12-26 19:13:47