I have also used this method for tightening cross braces... works great!

Mark


"Eric R Snow" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 02 Aug 2005 00:40:36 -0500, Don Foreman
wrote:

http://users.goldengate.net/~dforeman/conduit/

Field-expedient tight bends in EMT for making stuff. Not pretty, but
it works.
Nice job Don. Another method which works, and doesn't wrinkle the
metal, is to heat the area almost red or just till it starts being
red, and spray water on it. Do this a few times and the bend is very
controllable. I learned about this method in welding class. I saw it
being done at Lockheed Shipyard in Seattle before it closed. They were
using huge torches to heat 3 inch thick steel pie shaped sections.
These were being curved so they could be welded into a 1 half
spherical shape. It eventually was welded to the hull under the prow
of a ship. I'm sure you've seen an empty ship riding way out of the
water and there is this bulbous thing sticking out of the hull. Also,
we were shown a movie of the men who bent the legs to the Space Needle
using the same method. After seeing this I had to try it for myself
and have bent and straightened both mild steel and stainless steel.
Eric