DIYbanter - View Single Post

wrote in message roups.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.

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

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

Get a strip and try it!

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 ).

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.

So my question is really three questions

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

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

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.

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

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

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.