wrote in message
oups.com...
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 50mm
wide 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 be
sensibly bent without special tools ? For my purposes, the thicker the
better as it needs to have holes tapped in it, but I still need to bend
the stuff.

I don't know exactly what grade it's going to be as it's just the ali
strip I get from my ironmonger.

As far as bending is concerned, I usually use an old Workmate with
angle iron as jaw protectors/strengtheners. I mark the bend point,
clamp it up, place a hardwood block against it and belt it with the
hammer ( 2kg ish ).

So my question is really three questions

What's the thickest 50mm wide strip that I'm likely to successfully
bend this way ?

Is there a better way of doing it without buying special tools ? I
assume that hot bending isn't appropriate for ali, neither is any form
of heat softening or hardening a practical proposition.

If all else fails, how much might I have to pay to get four items like
that made for me in 6mm thick strip ?


Dave Plowmans method for Annealing is the way to go.

"Annealing ally is easy. Wipe it with soap - the sort you clean your face
with - and heat it 'till the soap turns black. Then quench in water."

Baz