Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for processing metal in sheet or plate form, and especially for bending metal sheets, which includes a machine frame, a table base and a ram vertically displaceable in relation to the table base. An upper tool is mounted on the ram and a lower tool cooperating therewith is disposed on the table base over the U section filled with oil with the sheet therebetween, these two tools bending the metal sheet. One of the tools is supported by a compliant support member for the tool. The compliant support member supporting the tool comprises a plurality of individual elements which are disposed tightly besides each other in the oil in the U section and are independently displaceable in a vertical direction so that, in operation, only those elements are displaced towards the supporting means on which the work sheet rests.