What tool is primarily used for making precise bends in sheet metal?

The handbrake is primarily used for making precise bends in sheet metal due to its design, which allows for control over the angle and depth of the bend. This tool features a clamping mechanism that secures the sheet metal in place while a movable arm, or "blade," is lowered to create the bend. The handbrake is ideal for producing consistent and accurate angles on various materials, which is essential in sheet metal fabrication where precision is necessary for components to fit together correctly.

Other tools, such as shears, are used for cutting and do not provide bending capabilities. Band saws are also focused on cutting shapes out of metal rather than bending, while plasma cutters are designed for slicing through metal with an ionized gas but do not facilitate bending at all. Each of these alternative tools serves a different purpose, reinforcing the specialized role of the handbrake in sheet metal work.