CHICAGO DREIS & KRUMP HAND BRAKE

Chicago Dreis & Krump Hand Brake — Model 816 (Old-Style American)

Serial Number: ~3000000

Type: Manual / Hand-Operated Apron or Straight Brake (also called Hand Brake or Ap¬ron Brake)

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Specifications

• Bending Length: (Working Length): ~97-inches (≈ 8 ft)
• Width / Depth: ~21-inches (from back of top clamp leaf to front of apron or forming leaf) (this is what you measured; actual throat or depth may vary somewhat in catalogs)
• Gauge Capacity, Mild Steel: 16 gauge as standard (≈ 1.6 mm) 
• Gauge Capacity, Stainless Steel: Around 20 gauge in many listings for S-816 variants. 
• Minimum Flange (for bending edge to allow flange): ~1-inch.
• Minimum Reverse Bend (on lighter material): ~1/4-inch reverse bend capability. 
• Overall Dimensions (Typical): ~140″ length × 51″ width × 62″ height for variants of SB-816 / S-816.
• Approximate Weight: 2,100 lbs (shipping / assembled machine) for the “SB-816” version. Some used ones are ~1,650-1,700 lbs depending on configuration. 

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Description

This is a heavy-duty, old-style American hand brake made by Chicago Dreis & Krump. The “816” means: 8 foot bending length and 16 gauge (mild steel) capacity (i.e. it’s designed to reliably bend up to 16 ga mild steel over the full width). It has manual clamping (a clamping leaf to hold material while you bend) and an apron or forming leaf that you lift/manipulate by hand. It is a floor model, built ruggedly, often with counterweights or support arms to help with ease of bending.

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What It Does

• Holds sheet metal firmly in place via a clamping/top leaf so you can make straight, clean bends without slippage.
• Bends metal by lifting the apron (forming or bending leaf) up to the desired bend angle.
• Can do reverse bends (i.e. bending past flat in the opposite direction on lighter material) when the material and setup permit.
• Can create flanges (i.e., create upturned edges), with a minimum flange depth of about 1″ with the full capacity.

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Capabilities

• Handles mild steel up to 16 gauge over the 8-foot length without severe deformation (with good condition).
• Capable of lighter materials (thinner gauge or stainless) though bending capacity reduces.
• Produces flanges and reverse bends for lighter materials.
• Good for repetitive straight bends, HVAC ductwork, roofing, or sheet metal fabrication where long straight bends are needed.

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Core Functions

• Clamping: The top leaf (“clamp bar” or “clamping leaf”) locks down sheet metal securely.
• Bending/apron movement: The forming leaf or apron you lift or rotate downward or upward to bend metal.
• Adjustability: Some models have quick clamp adjustments, removable nose / bottom bars, stops or gauges for repeated bends.
• Support / balance features: Some units include counterbalance arms or weights, to reduce operator effort.

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Design Features & Benefits

• Long bending length (≈ 97″ / 8 ft): Allows working with large widths of sheet material in one pass, reducing need for multiple smaller bends or jointing.
• Heavy build: Rugged steel frame, thick hinge, durable bearings/pivots, making it long-lasting even under heavy usage.
• Simple operation: No power required; fewer moving parts, easier to maintain or repair.
• Versatile use: Can handle a variety of materials (steel, some stainless, lighter metals) and forms (flanges, simple box edges, etc.).
• Removable or adjustable features: Removable or replaceable nose / bottom bars, adjustments for clamp and angle, etc., enhances flexibility and longevity.

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Applications & Industries

• Sheet metal shops — for bending long straight panels, components.
• HVAC / duct fabrication — bending flanges, making long duct sections, boxes.
• Metal roofing / siding — creating trim, flashing, panels.
• Sign shops / architectural metal — parts requiring straight bends or simple flange edges.
• Any fabrication where energy / cost of powered machinery is too high, or simplicity / low maintenance is desired.

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Machine Overview & Summary

The Chicago Dreis & Krump Model 816 is a robust, manual 8-foot apron/straight hand brake designed for bending up to 16-gauge mild steel, with smaller capacity for lighter materials like stainless. With a working bending length of about 97-inches and a floor weight in the ~1,600-2,100 lb range (depending on configuration), it’s built for durability, repeatability, and heavy shop usage. Its old-style American design means fewer electronics or hydraulics — simpler, more mechanical parts — which in turn often means easier repairs and long service life.

Given its serial (~3,000,000) and the heavy build, it is an older, likely mid-20th-century manufactured machine, built when machines were over-engineered.

• Model BPU 412-6 (Hand) Box & Pan Brake 4' x12 gauge
• Capacity (ga) 12 gauge
• Hand Brake incorporates all of the outstanding features of the standard handbrake plus removable, sectioned fingers that can bend any length of metal from 3 inches to the full length of the machine.
• Standard equipment includes removable nose bar, bolted bottom bar, ½” insert bar, angle bar, insert clamp bar, counter weights and stop gauge. 
• Clamping Handles are connected by full length Clamp Shaft to allow one operator to clamp work piece from either Right or Left Clamping position. 
• Overall Length 4'
• Dimensions 90"L x 53"W x 60"H
• Weight 2,065 lbs
• Bending length 48”Capacity (mild steel) 12 Ga.
• Capacity (stainless steel) 16 Ga.
• Finger extension depth 6”
• Number and width of fingers with nose bar: 
• 5 – 3” 
• 2 – 4”
• 5 – 5”

Description

The Chicago BPU 412-6 is a manual (hand-operated) box & pan brake built for forming precise bends, boxes, trays, and pans in sheet metal up to 12-gauge mild steel. Known for its robust construction and legendary reliability, it is a staple in metal fabrication shops, HVAC facilities, and maintenance departments.

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What It DoesThe BPU 412-6 is used to bend and shape flat sheet metal into:

• Boxes and pans with sides
• Flanges, hems, or offsets
• Angular bends (0–135°)
• Custom-formed enclosures or sheet metal parts

It’s especially useful for forming parts that require multiple sides, such as:

• Electrical panels
• HVAC duct boxes
• Tool trays
• Brackets or housings

The removable fingers make it easy to bend tabs, sides, and segmented sections that would be impossible on a straight brake.

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Key Specifications: 

Detail Model: BPU 412-6Bending 

Length: 48″ (4 feet)

Maximum Capacity: 12 gauge mild steel (approx. 0.1046″ thick

)Maximum Box Depth: ~4–5 inches (based on finger removal)

Bend Angle Range Up to 135° (adjustable stop for repeatability)

Clamping Style: Manual clamp lever

Fingers (Box & Pan Dies): Removable/adjustable for custom bends

Weight: Approx. 1,000–1,200 lbs

Operation: Manual (no electric or hydraulic assist)

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Core Features & Capabilities

• Segmented Finger Dies: Allows for forming closed boxes, channels, and narrow profiles
• Manual Clamping Handle: Provides fast setup and precision bending control
• Heavy-Duty Frame: Welded steel frame for long-term durability and rigidity
• Spring-Loaded Counterbalance: Assists operator in lifting the apron smoothly
• Adjustable Stops: For consistent repeat bends
• Precision Bearings: Smooth and accurate hinge motion for controlled bends

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Common Applications

• Sheet metal box/pan fabrication
• HVAC ductwork (end caps, transitions)
• Automotive restoration & bodywork
• Electrical enclosures
• Custom panels and sheet components

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Industries That Use It

• Metal fabrication
• Sheet metal & HVAC shops
• Electrical enclosure manufacturers
• Maintenance departments
• Technical colleges and training facilities

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Summary Description

The CHICAGO BPU 412-6 is a hand-operated, precision box & pan brake designed for forming 12-gauge sheet metal up to 48″ wide. With removable segmented fingers and a heavy-duty frame, it enables accurate forming of boxes, pans, flanges, and other complex bends—making it a reliable solution for fabricators, repair shops, and educational settings.