Malco MB48A 48-inch Portable Brake
List Price:
Our Price: $299.99
You Save: $79.68 (21%)
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
Category: Tools
See more product details
Product Details
Manufacturer: MalcoModel: MB48A
Color: NA
Product features:
- Makes bends to 135 degrees in galvanized sheet metal up to 22 gauge
- Compact size and lighter weight
- Accommodates sheet metal up to 4-feet wide in any length
- Adjustable strenghtening ribs assure tightly formed bends
- Optional legs sold separately
- Old House Journal (1-year)
- Ultimate Guide to House Framing: Plan, Design, Build
- Custom Leathercraft 54491 16-Pocket, 4-Piece, Professional Carpenters Combo
- Malco 52867 Leg Set with Bases and Fasteners
- Custom LeatherCraft 1604 17 Pocket/4 Piece Combo Apron
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Malco MB48A 48-inch Portable Brake
Customer Review: An Average Sheet Metal Brake
Summary: 3 Stars
The Malco MB48A sheet metal brake is "light and portable" relative to stationary shop equipment, but it weighs about 58 lbs. It isn't anything you would enjoy carrying up a flight of stairs and it doesn't have carrying handles. The two feet that the brake rests upon slide in and out of the body of the brake. There are bolt-on clamps that you can attach to keep them captured to the body of the brake. The most troublesome aspect of the brake is the bolts that hold the handles for the clamping bar (the handles with the black grips in the photo). The threaded part of these bolts is too short and I find that the nuts tend to work their way off these bolts. These nuts have the plastic type of lock ring in them, but not enough threads of the bolt go through it. These are specialty bolts that have one section of the shaft that is oval in cross section instead of round, so you can't replace them with ordinary bolts. A bad feature of the design is that these bolts restrict how far you can rotate the clamp away from the work. The maximum clearance that you can get between the base of the brake and the clamp is about 7/16 ths of an inch. If the heads of the bolts weren't in the way, you could swing it to get over an inch of clearance. The 7/16 ths clearance is fine if you are making bends only one way on a sheet of metal. If you are bending something that has bends both ways or has ribs, you'll wish you had more clearance. The clamping bar on this brake works very well and exerts even pressure all along the 4 ft span of the bed. It would be nice if you could lock the clamping bar open while you are inserting sheet metal into the brake, but there is no such lock. The brake has no indicator to show what angle you are making with your bends.
I rate this tool as three stars out of five to indicate that it is an average sheet metal brake. (It may be a better than average deal, depending on your requirements and its current price.)
Description of Malco MB48A 48-inch Portable Brake
Make big or small fabrications on the job with this lightweight and portable tool! The versatile Mini Brake produces bends up to 135 degrees in sheet metals, including aluminum, copper and 22-gauge galvanized steel. The brake's compact size can accommodate sheet metal stock up to 4-feet wide, in any length, because there is no fixed throat depth to contend with. Use the Mini Brake anywhere on the job site, even on a truck tailgate, for a variety of fabricating tasks from large HVAC transitions to narrow roof flashing to structures as small as a 4-inch square. Strengthening ribs on the brake's anvil and apron assure consistent bends. A safety-conscious, cam-over style clamping mechanism, similar to much larger shop-floor brakes, keeps the anvil secure in any position. Optional legs are available separately.Nippers & Snips
Tools and Hardware
Bestsellers in Malco
Malco Crewline Economy Caulk Gun #CG12Malco; Tools
Malco MAXCG1 MAX2000 1-1/ 3-Inch Cut Capacity 10-3/ 4-Inch Classic Grip Left Cut Aviation SnipMalco; Tools
Price in other shops:
Malco FCS Fiber Cement Hand SnipMalco; Tools
Best price: $25.99
Price in other shops:
Malco WM502 Wood MalletMalco; Tools
Price in other shops:
Malco 48BS Semi Flexible Tinners Circumference RuleMalco; Tools
Best price: $55.29
Price in other shops:
Malco HSW68 Vent Saw - 4 1/ 4-Inch for Cutting Wood and SidingMalco; Tools
Best price: $67.60
Price in other shops:
Malco MW10 Crewline Measuring Wheel 10-InchMalco; Tools
Best price: $74.94
Malco FDC3 Multi-purpose flex duct toolMalco; Tools
Best price: $54.02
Price in other shops:
Malco SL-2 Snap Lock PunchMalco; Tools
Best price: $27.99
Price in other shops:
Malco M2006 MAX2000 Bulldog 1-1/ 4-Inch Cut Capacity 10-3/ 4-Inch Left Cut Offset Aviation SnipMalco; Tools
Best price: $21.95
Price in other shops:
Similar Tools and Hardware
Stanley MR100CG Contractor Grade RiveterStanley Hand Tools; Tools
Best price: $23.49
Price in other shops:
SE Clip Test Lead Set (10 Piece)SE; SE; SE; BISS
Best price: $0.76
Price in other shops:
Malco TS1 Turbo Shear 20 Gauge Capacity Sheet Metal Cutting Attachment for 3/ 8-Inch DrillsMalco; Tools
Best price: $39.41
Price in other shops:
Malco HC1 2-Inch-to-12-Inch Sheet Metal Hole Cutter Accessory for 1/ 4-Inch or Larger DrillMalco; Tools
Best price: $51.60
Price in other shops:
Neiko Hand Held Power Punch, Sheet Metal Hole Punch KitNeiko; Tools
Best price: $21.99
Price in other shops:
Irwin 23EL5 Vise Grip 8-Inch Locking Sheet Metal ToolIRWIN; Tools
Best price: $10.00
Price in other shops:
Malco N2 NotcherMalco; Tools
Best price: $59.99
Malco 52867 Leg Set with Bases and FastenersMalco; Tools
Best price: $78.04
Price in other shops:
Radio Stars - Malco S9 9-Inch Aluminum Hand SeamerMalco; Tools
Best price: $48.99
Malco 24F 24-Inch Folding ToolMalco; Tools
Best price: $21.45
Price in other shops: