Sheet metal bench stakes

Quite often when making panels and parts of panels in sheet metal,it is necessary to perform some operation such as bending,flanging,seaming,shaping and planishing which cannot be done by machine. In such cases these operations will have to be carried out by hand using bench stakes. There are many different types of stake in use; the smaller types are usually made from cast steel,the heavier are of cast iron,and for special work stainless steel stakes may be used.
All these stakes must have highly polished working surfaces and should be kept in a dry atmosphere to reduce the possibility of corrosion on the working surface. Certain stakes are used only occasionally,and to maintain a bright,smooth surface they must be given a coating of light oil from time to time. The condition of the stakes has much to do with the workmanship of the finished job,for if a stake has been roughened by hammer or chisel marks the completed job will look rough and lack finish. For this reason stakes should not be used to ‘back up’ a sheet of metal or a panel directly when cutting it with a chisel; hammer blows should be aimed with care; and a mallet should be used whenever possible when forming sheet metal over the stakes.
Special reinforced square holes of various sizes are made at intervals in the bench for insertion of the bases of the stakes,which are usually square in cross-section and taper in shape to facilitate a good grip in the bench. There are many different types of stake available,and those most commonly used are as follows (Figure 3.28):

Pipe stake consists of one or two cylindrical arms having different diameters. This stake is used for forming pipes and cylindrical workpieces.
Grooving stake has a grooved slot cut along the top face. The slots are used for wiring and swaging.
Funnel stake has a thick tapered head and is used in forming,riveting and seaming tapered articles such as funnels.
Anvil stake has a flat,square-shaped head with ashort shank and is used for general working operations.

Side stake consists of one long elliptical shaped head. It is used for bending,seaming and forming curved radii.
Beck iron stake has a square tapering flat head onone side and a round tapered head on the other side. It serves as a general purpose anvil for riveting and shaping round and flat surfaces,straight bending and corner seams.
Horse stake with heads has holders (the horse part of the stake) which can take various shaped small heads. This stake is useful in many operations for which other stakes are not suitable.
Round-bottom stake consists of a single vertical piece with a flat round head on top. It is used for flanging circular and curved work.
Tinman’s mandrel is a single horizontal metal bar, one section of which has a flat surface and the other section of which is rounded. The flat length has a slot cut in it which permits the stake to be fastened directly to the bench. The stake is used for riveting,seaming and forming.
Half-moon stake consists of a single vertical shank with a half-rounded head on top. The stake is used for forming or shaping curved flanges.
Hatchet stake consists of a horizontal,sharp,straight edge,and is used for making straight sharp bends.
Panel head stake is shaped like a mushroom and is made in various sizes. It is used for raising,tucking and planishing.
Ball stake is shaped like a ball and is used for the planishing of hollowed or raised articles. It is also used for raising domes or hemispherical shapes by mallet or raising hammer.