Sheet metal guys - What is this?

Picked up this bender on a whim at a garge sale, but i have no idea what its for, or how it works. It seems similar to a regular sheet metal brake, but it has two leaves that flip up, intead of the usual single leaf. They also swing alot farther than a normal break. Anyone have any insight?

 

Tennsmith cleat bender. I think RE Smith is now Tennsmith....

For making HVAC ductwork joints. May be useful if modded, but we have one at work and it's really pretty specialized for making a 180 folded joint.

Tyson

Edit- YouTube demo of one

Better YouTube demo of the whole process.

 

Just a stab in the dark, but first thought is that it may have been used to fold an egde for something like a piano hinge or interlocking of panels.
Interesting all the same...

 

Thanks. I wonder if I can find a use for it in the garage, or if I should just try to resell it. I only gave $40 for it.

 

For $40 it may be worth trying to modify it into a finger brake. It's a good start for something.

Or list it on Craigslist for 300 and buy what you want.

 

Wish you wernt so far away I give you a hundsky for it no problem.

 

I sold 2 of them a couple months ago at auction, got $400 each
Mine were in better shape, any HVAC shop would gladly take it off your hands for a hundred or two

 

You have got yourself a treasure there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSW7M5VrkbY

 

You can probably modify it a bit and sell it for some serious bucks. Initially thought it might be a bender used in metal fabrication service.

 

Here is what you have, different brand, but does the same thing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T5jvBBkGGE#at=91

 

Thanks guys. I don't have any specific use for it right now, but i think i'll hang on to it. Can never have too many tools!

 

Thanks for the link, the Rams stuff looks pretty nice, more versatile than our old Pexto barfolder...

 

Bar folder is a different tool.

 

Please explain.