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SKU: 70001045 |  Malco

Malco MB48A Portable Mini-Brake – 48″ Sheet Metal Brake (Up to 135° Bends)

Malco MB48A Portable Mini-Brake – 48″ Sheet Metal Brake (Up to 135° Bends)

$580.98
$680.00 $580.98
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  • Ships in 2-4 Days

    Ships in 2-4 Days

    Standard in-stock turnaround time

  • American Made

    American Made

    Built Right Here

  • Limited Lifetime Warranty

    Limited Lifetime Warranty

  • Description

    The Malco MB48A Portable Mini-Brake delivers serious bending capability in a lightweight, compact design built for field fabrication. This 48″ sheet metal brake forms bends up to 135° in common roofing and HVAC materials including aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and up to 22-gauge galvanized or mild steel.

    With no fixed throat depth, the MB48A can bend material in virtually any length, making it ideal for roof flashing, trim work, HVAC transitions, and custom fabrications. Its compact footprint allows you to set up almost anywhere on the jobsite — even on a truck tailgate.

    Reinforced ribs on the anvil and apron ensure consistent, accurate bends across the full 48″ working width. A cam-over style clamping mechanism, similar to larger shop-floor brakes, keeps the anvil secure in any position for safer, more controlled bending. Optional legs are available separately for a more permanent setup.

    Key Features

    • Portable 48″ brake for field fabrication
    • Forms bends up to 135°
    • No fixed throat depth — bend stock in virtually any length
    • Handles sheet metal up to 48″ wide
    • Strengthening ribs on anvil and apron for consistent bends
    • Cam-over clamping mechanism for secure material hold
    • Ideal for roofing flashing, trim, HVAC transitions, and custom fabrications
    • Optional legs available separately

    Material Capacities

    • Galvanized Steel: 22 gauge (.034″ / 0.86 mm)
    • Mild Steel: 22 gauge (.030″ / 0.76 mm)
    • Stainless Steel: 24 gauge (.024″ / 0.61 mm)

  • Brand

    Malco
    Malco Tools manufactures high-quality tools for roofing and sheet metal work, trusted since 1950 for precision, durability, and job-site performance.
    Shop more from Malco →

    Specifications

    • SKU: 70001045
    • UPC: 686046529554
    • Direction:
    • Finish:
    • Reflectivity:
    • Coverage:
    • Thickness:
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    • Square Footage:
    • Warranty:

    Resources

Malco MB48A Portable Mini-Brake – 48″ Sheet Metal Brake (Up to 135° Bends)

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials can the MB48A bend?

The MB48A is designed to bend common roofing and HVAC sheet metals used in field fabrication, including:

  • 22-gauge galvanized steel (.034″ / 0.86 mm)
  • 22-gauge mild steel (.030″ / 0.76 mm)
  • 24-gauge stainless steel (.024″ / 0.61 mm)
  • Aluminum and copper within similar thickness ranges

Material performance will vary slightly based on alloy, temper, and coating. Heavier materials require greater clamping pressure and proper tension adjustment for best results.

What is the maximum bend angle?

The MB48A produces bends up to 135 degrees, making it suitable for flashing, trim work, HVAC transitions, and many architectural sheet metal applications. While it is not a full 180° hem brake, it provides more than enough capacity for most field-formed details.

What is the shortest bend depth possible?

Minimum bend depth depends on material thickness:

  • In 22-gauge galvanized steel, the shortest recommended bend depth is 3/4″ (19.05 mm).
  • In 28-gauge steel, the shortest bend depth is 1/2″ (12.7 mm).

Attempting shorter bends in heavier material may cause distortion or inconsistent results. For shallow bends in heavier gauge steel, a larger shop brake may be more appropriate.

What bend radius should I expect?

Bend radius depends on material thickness:

  • 22-gauge galvanized steel: Approximately 1/4″ radius
  • 28-gauge steel: Approximately 1/8″ radius

Thicker materials naturally produce a larger inside radius due to material resistance.

How do I adjust the brake tension?

The MB48A includes an adjustable strengthening rib on the anvil, factory-set for general-purpose bending.

If you are consistently bending heavier materials and need additional clamping pressure:

  1. Mark the original factory bolt positions before making adjustments.
  2. Hold each nut with an open-end wrench to prevent rotation.
  3. Turn the bolts clockwise to increase anvil tension.
  4. Turn bolts counterclockwise to decrease tension.

Best results are achieved when the anvil remains parallel across the entire width of the apron. Always make small adjustments and test before full production bending.

Can this brake be used on a truck tailgate?

Yes. The MB48A is specifically designed for jobsite portability. Its compact footprint allows use on truck tailgates or temporary work surfaces. For improved ergonomics and stability during extended use, optional MPL legs are available separately.