Used CNC Folders for Sale

CNC folders, also called long folders or folding machines, clamp a sheet and swing a bending beam up or down to form trim, flashing, coping, fascia and panel edges. Because the sheet lies flat on the table while the beam moves, one person can fold 10 to 20 foot pieces with repeatable angles, and the CNC backgauge positions each bend without a tape measure.The machines listed here come from the makers sheet metal shops know: Cidan and Thalmann from Sweden and Switzerland, Schechtl and RAS from Germany, ERBEND from Turkey, and the Roper Whitney Autobrake built in Rockford, Illinois. Working lengths run from about 8 feet to 20 feet and mild steel capacity from 18 gauge up to 10 gauge on heavy models such as the Autobrake AB1010K.On the used market a 10-foot Roper Whitney AB1014K has been offered at $39,500 for a refurbished 2013 unit and $99,500 for a 2023 Kombi model, so year, control generation and tooling swing the price a lot. European folders with combi or rotating beams and segmented tooling cost more but fold closed hems and box shapes in one setup.Before you buy, check the clamping beam for straightness along its full length, look at the tooling edges for nicks, and run a test fold in 24-gauge steel to see whether the bend angle holds from end to end. Confirm the control model and that the software still has vendor support, and find out whether the machine needs three-phase power.

5 machines

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a CNC folder and a press brake?

A folder holds the sheet flat and moves a beam to make the bend, so long, thin trim pieces stay supported and unmarked. A press brake pushes a punch into a die and is better for short, thick parts. Roofing and architectural shops almost always want a folder.

What length should I buy?

Ten-foot machines handle most residential trim and fit a small shop. Twelve to twenty-foot machines are for commercial coping, long fascia and panel work, and they cost more to move and power. Buy for the longest piece you fold every week, not the longest piece you ever folded.

Can a used folder be moved without a rigger?

Small 8 to 10 foot folders weigh a few thousand pounds and move with a forklift and straps. Longer machines with heavy tables usually need a rigger or a flatbed with a crane, so get the shipping weight from the seller and quote freight before you agree on a price.

Recently sold

MachineSold priceDate
2018 Tennsmith SBS126-14 CNC Folder$77,500Nov 2022