Guillotines are devices that are designed to cut metal sheets. Their maximum thickness depends on the power of the model. To date, the most popular are considered hydraulic modifications. However, on the market you can also find manual models that are able to work with a sheet of metal of small thickness.
The main element of the device is considered to be knives. In structure, shape and angle, they can vary quite a lot. It should also be mentioned that the guillotine can be controlled by a manual or foot device. In order to make this tool yourself, you need to familiarize yourself with its most common modifications and understand their differences.
Ball Guide Model
This type of guillotine is assembled for metal with your own hands from the installation of the bed. To do this, use two sheets of metal. Cast iron in this case fits perfectly. After that, a platform is prepared for working with the workpiece. The control units can be used in this case a wide variety. The engine is most often used with a power of about 3 kW. However, in this situation, much depends on the thickness of the metal.
After fixing the platform, you can proceed directly to the installation of ball guides. You can buy them in the store without any problems. The next step is to secure the upper beam. Knives should be fixed on it, which will produce metal cutting. They should be fixed on a special plate. She, in turn, is obliged to connect with the pressing mechanism. After installing the electric motor, the torque must be transmitted through the central crankshaft. You can do this if you install the gear.
Device with hydraulic guides
As a rule, with hydraulic guillotine guides for cutting metal, the technical characteristics are as follows: rated power - 3 kW, maximum frequency - at 42 Hz. The assembly of the device begins as standard with the installation of the bed. At this stage, many experts recommend parallel fixing to each other two sheets of metal.
After that, it will be possible to install a platform on which it will be possible to work with the workpiece. Hydraulic guides must be mounted on the motor side. In this case, the control unit can be placed on the other side. It is more expedient to fix the electric motor from the bottom of the bed. All this will allow you to hide the wiring and not spend a lot of time on insulation. The upper beam is assembled primarily with the installation of side supports. Only after this, knives are connected to the pressing device.
Model with back focus
It is quite easy to do it yourself with the back focus of the metal guillotine. First you need to do the bed. In this case, cast iron can be used. The upper platform must be adjusted to fit it. After that, it will be possible to fix the upper beam. Directly the rear catch should only be installed after the knives. Additionally, it is possible to use hydraulic guides. In this case, much depends on the type of press device. If it is small, then the side racks can be made narrow. Otherwise, they will have to be expanded for convenience.
Front stop device
Manual guillotine for metal with a front stop is very popular today. To assemble such a device, a frame with a frame is first installed. Management most often for these modifications suitable foot type. The size of the workspace presented devices can vary greatly. In this case, much depends on the strength of the frame. It is more advisable to choose an electric motor for the normal operation of the guillotine with a power of 3 kW and a limit frequency of about 33 Hz.
The height of the upper beam may vary. However, the plate for knives manual guillotine for metal should be narrow. Many experts recommend installing it at an angle of 3 degrees. Due to this, the cutting of metal will occur quite qualitatively. The front stop must be fixed to the steel pulley. For this purpose, it is necessary to use a welding inverter.
Feed Modifications
The guillotine for metal (desktop) of this type is quite common in our time. Such modifications are most suitable for widespread production. It should also be noted that the feed mechanism can be installed in various ways. However, the work of always assembling the guillotine as a standard begins with the installation of the bed. After that, a frame with side supports is fixed. The next step is to install the electric motor to the device.
To do this, it is important to weld a platform over the bed on which it can be placed. The feed mechanism should be made with the installation of the central shaft. After that, a special seal is selected on which the workpiece is located. The next step is to set the rollers on which the tape will move. All this must be connected to the central crankshaft. Many experts use side gears. Then, to assemble the guillotine, it remains only to weld the upper beam with knives.
Blade adjuster
Homemade metal guillotine with blade adjuster is a popular design. You can start assembling the device by installing the lower frame. After that, the opportunity will open to make a platform for future procurement. Directly the blade adjusters should be located on the upper beam. For this, first of all, side stops are installed. Large heights do not need to be done. In this case, a lot depends on the size of the bed. After fixing the side supports, you can proceed to the direct mounting of the blade plate.
In this case, various pressing devices can be used. To change the position of the blades, a special valve must be welded to the upper beam. Additionally, you will need to install a latch to secure the blades in a certain position. After this, it is necessary to tighten the screw, with which it will be possible to change the width of the gap. To do this, you will need to use a wrench. In order for the metal guillotine to last quite a long time, it is important to periodically devote time to servicing the adjustment mechanism. To this end, many experts recommend lubricating the side gate valves with machine oil. Direct work on the guillotine for metal can be carried out by pressing the pedal.
Modifications with a mobile bed
The guillotine for metal (hydraulic) with a movable bed is quite complicated. In this case, much depends on the mass of the frame. To use for this purpose it is more expedient to use steel billets. First of all, it is the side racks that are installed. After that, it is possible to make the lower supports. The upper beam in this case is installed last. After fixing the lower supports, proceed with the installation of the electric motor. Directly changing the position of the bed must be carried out through the central crankshaft. For this, two gears are installed on the side supports. Their minimum diameter must be 35 cm. Next, it is important to fix the central shaft.
For this you have to use a welding inverter. The next step is fixing the tape. Thus, the torque from the electric motor is transmitted to the side gears. Next, you need to evaluate the height of the frame. So that the bed never flies from it, you should install the clamps. For this purpose, it is more advisable to use the welding inverter again. At this stage, it is necessary to ensure that the working area is not blocked by latches.
2 kW device
A guillotine for cutting metal at 2 kW allows you to actively engage in sheets up to 2 mm thick. Feeding mechanisms in some cases are installed. The blades are most often used hardened and placed at an angle of 2 degrees. In terms of dimensions, these devices are very compact. The height of the upper beam does not exceed 20 cm. It should also be noted that due to the low power of the electric motor, the central crankshafts are installed with a diameter of up to 3 cm on them. Otherwise, a lot of pressure is applied to the plate with the blade, which can lead to breakage of the guillotine.
3 kW modification
The guillotine for metal at 3 kW at the maximum frequency is capable of boasting at 35 Hz. It should also be noted that the models are able to work with blanks, the thickness of which does not exceed 3 mm. Most often they are used precisely for cutting steel sheets. In this case, you can use both galvanized and stainless material. Beds of such devices, as a rule, are set wide. The control units can be used in a wide variety.
In connection with the large dimensions of the frame, they are designed with side stops. At the same time, the latches on the platform must be on both sides. The height of the upper beam is about 40 cm on average. In this case, the blades are installed as standard hardened type at an angle of 3 degrees. Feeding mechanisms for such models are most suitable for the hydraulic type.
Device with E10 controller
A metal guillotine with a controller of this type operates using a hydraulic system. The assembly of the mechanism is important to begin with fixing the frame. The controller itself can only be installed after the electric motor. At the same time, it is necessary to connect it to the switch. To connect the controller to the hydraulic device, you will have to use a soldering iron. The advantage of this unit is that it allows you to change the power of the guillotine. At the same time, failures in him are quite rare.
Application of the E15 controller
The metal guillotine with controllers of this type is quite common. From the previous modification, the models are distinguished by their multifunctionality. The power of the electric motor in this case is adjusted more precisely. In this regard, it is possible to work with metals of various thicknesses. This device must be connected directly to the switch. You will also have to use a blowtorch to connect the controller to the control unit.