Choosing a press brake attachment for a hydraulic shop press usually comes down to material thickness versus what you want to spend. In the presses brakes shears metal forming category, two attachments stand out for standard 12/20-ton presses: the Eastwood unit and a second attachment for hydraulic shop presses. The price gap between them is wide enough to make you stop and think. The one you pick depends on whether you need to bend thick steel or mostly thinner sheet metal.
Quick verdict
Go with the Eastwood if your projects regularly include thick mild steel or aluminum-up to 3/8 inch in thickness-and you want extra bending headroom. Choose the lower-priced attachment if you need clean bends in sheet metal and want to keep your tool budget intact. For light-duty, occasional use, overpaying for a higher capacity you won't use makes little sense.
At a glance
| Feature | Eastwood Press Brake Attachment | Press Brake Attachment for Hydraulic Shop Presses |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 299.99 | USD 44.27 |
| Max bending length | 12 inch | 12 in / 30.5 cm |
| Max bend angle | Up to 90° | 90° |
| Max material thickness | Up to 3/8 inch | 3/16 inch |
| Suitable press | Standard 12/20 ton hydraulic shop presses | Most standard 12 or 20-ton hydraulic workshop presses |
Where each wins
Where the Eastwood wins: it bends thicker material. That alone matters if you form suspension brackets, floor channels, or truck-bed components from steel plate. It delivers the same angle as the less expensive unit but with more capacity for heavier stock. You pay more for that capability.
Where the lower-priced attachment wins: it offers the essential bending function for a much smaller cost. For thin sheet metal jobs, it performs the same basic task without a heavier price tag.
Product notes
Eastwood Press Brake Attachment For Standard 12/20 Ton Hydraulic Shop Presses
If you know you'll be bending steel plate rather than just thin sheet metal, this attachment gives you room to grow. Its design emphasizes precise, variable-length bends in mild steel and aluminum, and the thicker material ceiling means you can take on reinforcement channels, brackets, and panel sections without switching tools. The main drawback is the price: it sits at the upper end of the price spread, so you need a steady stream of thicker work to justify it. The overall dimensions are compact enough for a shop press area, and the upper die mounting cup's 41mm inside diameter is specified for a standard press setup. Choose it when your jobs demand more than light bending and you want the Eastwood attachment specifically.
Press Brake Attachment Press Brake Attachment for Hydraulic Shop Presses
This is the practical choice for a home shop that needs to add bending capability without spending a lot. It is specified for most standard 12- or 20-ton hydraulic workshop presses and handles a 12-inch bending length, which matches the more expensive attachment. The construction material, 45# steel, and the 38.58-pound gross weight give it a substantial feel, and the red finish makes it easy to spot. Its real limitation is the 3/16-inch maximum thickness: anything heavier will be beyond its capacity. For corrugated floor ribs, mudguard structures, suspension brackets, and similar sheet metal shapes, it is certainly adequate. If your work stays light, there is no reason to pay for capacity you will not use.
Final choice by use case
If heavier fabrication is on your to-do list, the Eastwood Press Brake Attachment at $299.99 gives you the capacity to back it up. If your work stays in the lighter sheet metal range, the Press Brake Attachment for Hydraulic Shop Presses at $44.27 keeps the job done without the heavier cost.
