Metal Forming

Those parts are made from photo-etched blanks and then bent on a much more refined instrument than a 3 in 1 tool.

A 3 in 1 tool _may_ get you what you want, but in my (admittedly limited) experience I can get far better control over the bend angle with a box break than with the 'V' bender in a 3 in 1 tool.

I don't know where you'd get a decent box break for less money than a good used car - this is just as well, because I don't have room for one right now.

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The 3-in-1 machines are barely capable of working at their advertised limits. 0.050" thick 5052 Aluminum is a reasonable maximum for them. If I really need thicker metal I build it up from extruded angle and flat sheet.

I've built a lot of electronic housings with a 3-in-1, a corner notcher, a drill press, a bandsaw and a belt sander. A good, squared- up belt sander will clean up hacksawed ends so you can put off buying the bandsaw. If you need mechanically strong frames to support power transmission I suggest welded angle iron or square tubing instead. Steel and aluminum frames of equal strength and stiffness weigh about the same and steel holds threaded fasteners much better.

Jim Wilkins