Introduction
A common hurdle during a project is having the right tool for the task. I am constantly faced with the perplexing questions of, do I buy the $$$ tool? Do I buy the cheap import tool? How far do I have to travel and how much time will it take? To whom do I call who might have the tool?

The Story
The other night I was faced with this hurdle. It was too late to buy a tool or find a friend who might have one. So what do I do? I made the tool I needed. The back story is I needed to bend a piece of metal around 2 corners. 1 side could only be 15/16 inches deep, 1 side could only be 1 inch wide and the last side did not have a depth limitation, it just needed to look nice. The first 2 sides were critical. I had wiggle room on the 3rd side.

Follow along for the rest of the story on how to make and use a Mini Brake Bender.

The benefits of this design and application are:
1) Small, easy to use and carry in your tool box,
2) 1 less tool to have to buy and store,
3) Knowledge does not weigh anything or take up any space.

Next Material and Tools.

Step 1: Material & Tools

Material:
I am using Stainless Steel

Tools:
1) Needle Nose Locking Pliers
2) Flat Nose Locking Pliers
3) 2 Flat Files

These are tools I had on hand. If your project is bigger you may want more locking pliers or use other pieces of flat steel to hold the metal when bending. Substitute my tool list with what you have on hand or size of your project.

Skill Level:
Easy

Time to Complete:
5 – 10 minutes

Now that you have your Material and Tools, let’s see how to make a Mini Brake Bender.

Next 1st Bend

Step 2: 1st Bend

1) Mark where you want your bend,
2) Place 1 of the Flat Files on top of the Metal, along the line of your first bend,
3) Clamp 1 of the Locking Pliers on the Metal and File,
4) Place the last Flat File underneath the Metal on the other side of the line,
5) Clamp the last Locking Plier on the Metal and File,
6) Apply force to bend the Metal.

Next 2nd Bend

Step 3: 2nd Bend

1) Mark where you want your bend,
2) Place 1 of the Flat Files on top of the Metal, along the line of your second bend,
3) Clamp 1 of the Locking Pliers on the Metal and File,
4) Place the last Flat File underneath the Metal on the other side of the line,
5) Clamp the last Locking Plier on the Metal and File,
6) Apply force to bend the Metal.

Now you are done. Congratulations! You have successfully created and used a Mini Brake Bending tool.

Next Observations and Summary

Step 4: Observations & Summary

Observations
I am all for having the right tool for the job, but I cannot afford to buy nor do I have the space to store a specialty tool for 1 off repairs. You now have the knowledge to make and use a Mini Brake Bending tool.

The benefits of this design and application are:
1) Small, easy to use and carry in your tool box,
2) 1 less tool to have to buy and store,
3) Knowledge does not weigh anything or take up any space.

Summary
I am satisfied with the results.

- Hear advice, and receive instruction, so that you may be wise in your latter end.