Northern Industrial Tools 426282 User manual

36" METAL BENDER
OWNER’S MANUAL
WARNING: Read carefully and understand all
INSTRUCTIONS before operating. Failure to follow the
safety rules and other basic safety precautions may result
in serious personal injury.
Item #426282

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INTENDED USE
Heavy-duty metal bender easily bends up to 12-gauge sheet metal. Quickly adjusts for different
sheet metal thickness.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS & PACKING LIST
PACKAGE CONTENTS
COMPONENTS:
1. Upper Handles
2. Body
3. Press Plate Assembly
4. Lower Handles
5. Mounting Foot
6. Mounting Holes
7. Stand
The Metal Bender is shipped in a one ply-wooden case with the stand. Please review
contents before assembly.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
This manual contains important information regarding safety, operation, maintenance and storage of
this product. Before use, read carefully and understand all warnings, cautions, instructions and
labels. Failure to do so could result in serious personal injury, property damage or even death.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
WARNING: Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions listed
below may result in serious injury.
WARNING: The warnings, cautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction
manual cannot cover all possible conditions or situations that could occur. It must be
Item Description
Metal Bender 36"
Stand Included
Maximum Thickness 12 gauge
Minimum Bend Angle 0°
Maximum Bend Angle 120°

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understood by the operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built into
this product, but must be supplied by the operator.
SAFETY WARNINGS & CAUTIONS
WARNING: When using tools, machines or equipment, basic safety precautions should
always be followed to reduce the risk of fire and personal injury. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE USING THIS TOOL!
•KEEP THE WORK AREA CLEAN. Cluttered work benches and dark work areas may
cause accidents or injury.
•OBSERVE THE WORK AREA CONDITIONS. Do not use machines or power tools in
damp, wet or poorly lit locations. Do not expose to rain.
•KEEP THE WORK AREA WELL LIT.
•KEEP CHILDREN AWAY. Children must never be allowed in the work area. Do not
allow them to handle machines, tools or extension cords.
•STORE IDLE EQUIPMENT. When not in use, tools must be locked up in a dry location
to inhibit rust. Always lock your tools up and keep them out of reach of children.
•DO NOT FORCE THE TOOL. The tool will function safer and more efficiently when it is
used appropriately. Do not attempt to exceed the tool’s capacity.
•USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB. Do not attempt to force a small tool or
attachment to do the work of a large industrial tool. Do not use a tool for a purpose for
which it was not intended.
•DRESS PROPERLY. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry as they can be caught in
moving parts. Protective, electrically non-conductive clothes and non-skid footwear are
recommended when working. Wear restrictive hair covering to contain long hair. Gloves
should always be worn when handling sheet metal.
•DO NOT OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Do not reach
over or across running machines.
•MAINTAIN YOUR TOOLS WITH CARE. Keep your tools sharp and clean. Follow the
instructions for lubricating and changing accessories. The handles must be kept clean,
dry and free from oil and grease at all times.
•STAY ALERT. Watch what you are doing and use common sense. Do not operate any
tool when you are tired.

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•CHECK FOR DAMAGED PARTS. Before using a tool, any part that appears damaged
should be carefully checked to determine if it operates properly and performs its
intended function. Check for alignment, binding of moving parts, any broken parts or
mounting fixtures, or any other condition that may affect its performance. Any part that is
damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by a qualified service provider.
•REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES. When servicing, use only authentic
replacement parts. Use of any other parts will void the warranty. Only use accessories
intended for use with this tool. Approved accessories are available from the distributor.
•DO NOT OPERATE THE TOOL WHEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR
MEDICATION. Read the warning labels on prescriptions to determine if your judgment
or reflexes are impaired while taking a specific medication. If there is any doubt, do not
operate the tool.
PERSONAL SAFETY
•Stay alert. Watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a tool. Do not
use a tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A
moment of inattentiveness while operating a tool may result in serious personal injury.
•Dress properly. Do not wear loose-fitting clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing and
gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving
parts.Air vents often cover moving parts and should be avoided.
•Use safety apparel and equipment. Use safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields
which comply with current national standards, or when needed, a face shield. Use as dust
mask in dusty work conditions. This applies to all people in the work area. Wear non-skid
safety shoes, a hardhat, gloves and hearing protection when appropriate.
TOOL USE AND CARE
•
•Secure your work with clamps or a vise instead of your hand when practical. This allows
for proper tool operation using both hands.
•Store idle tools. When tools are not in use, store them in a dry, secure place out of the
reach of children. Inspect the tools prior to storage and before re-use.
•Keep the guards in place and in good working order.
ASSEMBLY
The Bender is VERY heavy and requires two people for the assembly and installation.
•Place the Bender on the floor and position the Mounting Feet facing forward.
•Put the left Bender Stand Mounting Pad against the left Mounting Foot. Assemble
with the bolt, washer and nut. Tighten securely.
•Put the right Bender Stand Mounting Pad against the right Mounting Foot.
Assemble with the bolt, washer and nut. Tighten securely.
•Lift the Bender and Stand upright (this requires two people).

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•Put the Bender and Stand where it will be mounted to the floor and mark the
mounting holes.
•Drill holes in the floor. Secure the Bender with bolts, lock washers and nuts (not included).
WARNING: Before drilling the mounting holes, make sure that there is no electrical
conduit or water pipes.
OPERATION
Do not bend a stock thicker than 12 gauge. You will damage the Bender. Measure the
thickness before use. When bending metal, keep both hands on the lower Handles.
1. Lift up the Handles to open the Press Plate Assembly. Insert the sheet metal that
you want to bend over the Body and under the upper Press Plate Assembly. Slide
the sheet metal and align the bend marks on the metal to the inner lip of the Body.
2. Press down on both Handles to lock in to position. This will cause the upper Press
Plate Assembly to clamp down on the stock. If the Handle does not come down all
the way and lock, either the stock is greater than 12 gauge, or the Bender needs to
be adjusted to allow for a thicker stock.
3. Using both hands, lift up on the Body using its lower Handles until the desired angle
is reached on the stock. Once the bend is complete, return the lower Handles to the
down position.
4. Lift the upper Eccentric Handles all the way up and remove the sheet metal.
MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
You may need to adjust the position of the Press Plate Assembly to allow for thicker or
thinner pieces of sheet metal, or to align it to the Body.
Adjust for Thickness of Sheet Metal
•Lift the upper Handles all the way up and loosen the nuts to allow the bolt to move up or
down. Using an open-ended wrench, turn the bolt clockwise and move the Press Plate
Assembly down. Turn it counterclockwise to move it up (for large stock).
•Determine the number of turns, then tighten the nuts to secure the bolt. Repeat on the
opposite side.
•Adjust the bolt with the same number of turns. The Press Plate Assembly must be flush with
the body when it is closed. If one side is not flush, readjust that side.
Align the Press Plate Assembly In or Out
•Lift both of the upper Handles. Loosen the bolts on each side. Nudge each side of the Press
Plate Assembly in or out. This will determine the roundness of the bend. The farther back
the Press Plate Assembly, the rounder the bend. A typical setting should be between 1/16 of
and inch to 1/8 of an inch behind the inner edge of the Body.
MAINTENANCE
•Maintain your tools. It is recommended that the general condition of any tool be examined
before it is used. Keep your tools in good repair by adopting a program of conscientious
repair and maintenance in accordance with the recommended procedures found in this
manual.

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•Cleaning. Only use soap and a damp cloth to clean your tools. Many household cleaners
are harmful to plastics and other insulation. Never let liquid get inside a tool.
•Always use caution when moving or handling the Metal Bender.
•Lubricate all of the moving parts periodically. Use a light oil.
•Tool service must be performed only by a qualified service provider. Service or
maintenance by an unqualified service provider could result in injury.
•When servicing a tool, use only authentic replacement parts and follow the
instructions in the manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow Maintenance
Instructions may create a risk of injury
DIAGRAM & PARTS LIST

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For replacement parts and technical questions, please call 1-800-222-5381.
WARRANTY
One-Year Limited Warranty
Northern Tool + Equipment Co., Inc.
Burnsville, Minnesota 55306-6936
Made in CHINA
Part No. Description Qty Part No. Description Qty
1 Handle cover 4 16 Bolt M16X35 2
2 Left crank handle 1 17 Upper press plate 1
3 Washer 2 18 Bending leaf 1
4 Left eccentric bushing 1 19 Leg for stand 2
5 Nut M16 4 20 Level plate for stand 2
6 Connecting shaft 2 21 Frame 1
7 Bolt M12X12 2 22 Turning shaft 2
8 Lock nut M20 2 23 Right eccentric bushing 1
9 Square steel holder 2 24 Right crank handle 1
10 Lock nut M12 6 25 Washer 20 2
11 Washer 12 10 26 Lock nut M20 2
12 Bolt M12X45 6 27 Pin ￠3 2
13 Shaft 2 28 Left bracket plate 1
14 Right bracket plate 1 29 Bolt M12X25 4
15 Washer 16 4 30 Nut M16 2