Magnetic Sheet Metal Brakes

Magnetic Sheet Metal Brakes — Unlimited Box Depth, Bends No Finger Brake Can Make

A magnetic sheet metal brake replaces the upper clamping beam with an electromagnet built into the bed. That one change removes the limits a conventional box and pan brake works under: with nothing above the workpiece, box depth is unlimited — and because the magnet holds any ferrous stock, you can clamp a length of steel tube as a die and form radius bends, hems and rolls on the same machine.

You'll hear these called mag brakes, and often magnabends after the original 1975 Magnabend design. We carry the genuine Magnabend 4' — still made in the USA by Roper Whitney, and running on ordinary 115V power — alongside Eastwood's Electro-Brakes in 24" and 48" widths, and Baileigh's magnetic box and pan brakes in 4-, 6- and 8-foot widths.

The honest trade-off: clamping force sets gauge capacity, so magnetic brakes top out around 16–18 gauge mild steel at full width — narrower bends take heavier stock. And if you've been searching for a "magnetic press brake" — that machine doesn't exist. Magnetic clamping is a sheet metal technology, so a magnetic sheet metal brake is what you're after. Looking to bend heavier gauge metal or plate instead? A press brake is probably what you need. Questions? Call (855) 605-4599.