Finger brake for the shop press

[Toolmaker51]

Just got done building my new shop press finger brake with "goose neck" dies. lol This fits my 12 ton HF shop press. The goose neck dies I bought as a kit on swag offroad for $99 w/shipping. (link below) Worth every penny as cutting these 24 pieces accurately out of 1/2 inch steel plate isn't my idea of having fun. They are laser cut and come still tabbed together in 6's. You then cut them apart and assemble them how you like. I chose to make a 6, 5, two 3's, two 2's and left 3 as singles. You can hit any measurement in 1/2's for a total of 12 inches with this setup.

Finger Brake Gooseneck Dies That Fit The HF 12 Ton & The 20 Ton Finger Brake Only

That Swag Offroad sells precut plates for laminated dies seems revolutionary; paying attention to industry, and marketing to the public. We are fortunate companies know supporting private shops is worthwhile; along with Williams Low Buck Tools, and Eastwood.
Commercially, use of laminated dies is quite common. Not so much for goosenecks; they are an efficient means to produce form punches & dies.
My last shop made dozens for their use, plate [leaf] thickness keyed to gauge being bent, and if there were finish restrictions. CNC Lasers, Plasma, and Oxy-Acet all produce cuts with a little 'draft', or side angle, that increases with thickness. Reducing it means slowing the cut, pushing expense up. Assembled plates exhibit 'ribs' that indent thin or soft materials. When not tolerable, doweling and plug welds allowed sanding the ribs flush. Bends in heavier stock can use sets as is. Some sets would need a little clean up of clamping tenons.