Sheet Metal Fabrication - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Scott Johnson · 09-26-2003, 07:35 AM

Have any members had any experince with a tool that harbor freight puts out called a sheet metal fabrication kit? It is made by central machinery, part # 34104-1vga. It is supposed to cut, bend, roll and bead sheet metal. Looking at getting one, but would like to know if it is any good. If not, what would work good to bend and bead sheet metal?

Thanks Scott

Kid · 09-26-2003, 01:07 PM

I would worry about darn near anything Harbor freight sells

Fred T · 09-26-2003, 01:25 PM

I haven't tried one, but if it's like the other sheet metal tools they sell you won't be happy. Some of the sheet metal in these old trucks is harder than the iron they use to make the tools...

cdowns · 09-26-2003, 03:16 PM

i don't have one of their catalogues,but i do have one of their inexpensive bead rollers with like 6sets of dies and no it's not the best tool in the world but with a lot of practice and patience i've managed to acheive great results with it the price was around $200 compared to $2000 for a professianal shop type. the trick to doing good work on the heavyier gauges like 18guage is to make multipule passes and doing the larger panels requires 2men to keep the piece stable, i've been using it for well over 5years and have never had a panel i couldn't make

truckster · 09-26-2003, 03:41 PM

You have to be careful with Harbor Freight. You can get stuff really cheap, but some of it's pure junk. I got a 20-ton press there I've been happy with, but I bought an exhaust tubing expander that didn't make it past the first turn of the wrench.

Old Dave · 09-26-2003, 04:12 PM

A guy I used to work with had a catalog from Eastwood Automotive that had a lot of metal working tools in it. They weren't cheap but it looked like good stuff. Most of the stuff I have seen in Harbour Freight doesn't look like it was worth what the shipping charges would be. Just my $.02 worth.

68LSS1 · 09-26-2003, 08:49 PM

I sceond what Old Dave said about Eastwood.

Scott Johnson · 09-26-2003, 09:44 PM

Thanks Guys, figured some of you would know about the tool. Just wanted to check before I threw away my money. I saw eastwoods tools and they look really nice, I guess I`ll have to save up my money and get a tool that will last.

Scott

09-26-2003, 07:35 AM	#1
Scott Johnson Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 281	Sheet Metal Fabrication Have any members had any experince with a tool that harbor freight puts out called a sheet metal fabrication kit? It is made by central machinery, part # 34104-1vga. It is supposed to cut, bend, roll and bead sheet metal. Looking at getting one, but would like to know if it is any good. If not, what would work good to bend and bead sheet metal? Thanks Scott __________________ 71 C10 Step Daily Driver 72 K10 Suburban Work in Progress www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com

09-26-2003, 01:07 PM	#2
Kid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 702	I would worry about darn near anything Harbor freight sells __________________ The kid Build threads: 51 Jimmy http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154951 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=219902 http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...uck/index.html 68 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=50348

09-26-2003, 01:25 PM	#3
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	I haven't tried one, but if it's like the other sheet metal tools they sell you won't be happy. Some of the sheet metal in these old trucks is harder than the iron they use to make the tools... __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

09-26-2003, 03:16 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	i don't have one of their catalogues,but i do have one of their inexpensive bead rollers with like 6sets of dies and no it's not the best tool in the world but with a lot of practice and patience i've managed to acheive great results with it the price was around $200 compared to $2000 for a professianal shop type. the trick to doing good work on the heavyier gauges like 18guage is to make multipule passes and doing the larger panels requires 2men to keep the piece stable, i've been using it for well over 5years and have never had a panel i couldn't make __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-26-2003, 03:41 PM	#5
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,985	You have to be careful with Harbor Freight. You can get stuff really cheap, but some of it's pure junk. I got a 20-ton press there I've been happy with, but I bought an exhaust tubing expander that didn't make it past the first turn of the wrench. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

09-26-2003, 04:12 PM	#6
Old Dave Is a bullfrog waterproof? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: OLATHE, KANSAS Posts: 1,130	A guy I used to work with had a catalog from Eastwood Automotive that had a lot of metal working tools in it. They weren't cheap but it looked like good stuff. Most of the stuff I have seen in Harbour Freight doesn't look like it was worth what the shipping charges would be. Just my $.02 worth. __________________ "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Ben Franklin __________________ 1970 Chevy shortbed 2002 Harley Custom Chopper (Long sucker) 1998 K2500 5.7L 5-speed Longbed 1st two are My son's toys...they just live in my garage! 1997 GMC K1500 Suburban 1993 S-10 Blazer 4D (youngest son's daily driver) 2000 Dodge Ram 4WD Ext. Cab (5.9L) Wife is a late year 1951

09-26-2003, 08:49 PM	#7
68LSS1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,191	I sceond what Old Dave said about Eastwood. __________________ '68 Short Step LS1/T56, Hydratech, Fatman Fabrications Stage III, Baer, Hot Rods to Hell, US Body, S&W, etc

09-26-2003, 09:44 PM	#8
Scott Johnson Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 281	Thanks Guys, figured some of you would know about the tool. Just wanted to check before I threw away my money. I saw eastwoods tools and they look really nice, I guess I`ll have to save up my money and get a tool that will last. Scott __________________ 71 C10 Step Daily Driver 72 K10 Suburban Work in Progress www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com



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