Bending aluminium

Rolyata · 2005-04-03T21:19:52+00:00

I want to make up some bent aluminium components.The items will be 'U" shape brackets.I intend to start with aluminium strip that's about 250mm long and 50mmwide and then bend the last 50mm at each end to stand up at 90 deg.The thing I don't know is how thick can the strip be and still besensibly bent without special tools ? For my purposes, the thicker thebetter as it needs to have holes tapped in it, but I still need to bendthe stuff.I don't know exactly what grade it's going to be as it's just the alistrip I get from my ironmonger.As far as bending is concerned, I usually use an old Workmate withangle iron as jaw protectors/strengtheners. I mark the bend point,clamp it up, place a hardwood block against it and belt it with thehammer ( 2kg ish ).So my question is really three questionsWhat's the thickest 50mm wide strip that I'm likely to successfullybend this way ?Is there a better way of doing it without buying special tools ? Iassume that hot bending isn't appropriate for ali, neither is any formof heat softening or hardening a practical proposition.If all else fails, how much might I have to pay to get four items likethat made for me in 6mm thick strip ?

Apr 03, 2005 22 Replies

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markzoom 21 years ago

Sorry, it depends on the type of aluminium you can get hold of.

Get a strip and try it!

Again, it depends on the type of aluminium. You might have to clamp the ally between two planks on a workbench instead, use hefty clamps.

Depends on the bend radius. 5mm of soft ally, I would guess.

Again, depends on the ally, sorry! Just get some and try it.

Too much. It might be simpler not to use ally. Maybe you have to use fibreglass instead, or thinner stainless or just steel.

Mark K.

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Pete C 21 years ago

Hi,

Try clamping between two bits of thick angle, you may well need to grind the inside edge out a bit on one. Also some blocks of wood to hold them at 45 deg to clamping force IYSWIM:

clamp block angle block clamp

------| |> >> >| |----

If there is a local fabricators with a press try taking a sketch along, it might be well worth paying to have it made up.

cheers, Pete.

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