Bending stuff

[mjb]

A while back I asked about bending tools for metal, as I was working on installing a fuel cell in a Lotus Elite. Finally got around to unloading some of the pics off my camera, found this one.



Even though I had a fairly tough time getting the main cross strap to fit, it ended up looking almost professional! The main weak point in the installation is the fact that the cell is attached to the trunk floor of a 50 year old Lotus! I did try to talk the owner into going with full AN braided lines, but he wasn't willing to spend the extra bucks. So it goes. Still a neat car, though.



And I still haven't found a press brake fixture to use in the future. Did see a nice one, but it was 24 inches wide, and our press frame is only 20. Drat!


mjb.

[montag]

Always a good idea to keep a watch on used equipment ads for big finger brakes (sometimes called box brakes because they're suitable for making pans and box-like items) and the like. While usually more expensive than the bench-top or add-on fixtures, they're more versatile. ENCO used to market a 48" brake suitable up to 16 ga. mild steel for around $500. I used the hell out of one a couple of decades back.

[KeithTurk]

Mark for something that light I'd have used the Bench vise and a sledge hammer.... ( seriously )... if your worried about maring it .... use a bit of aluminum scrap as a protector... you can make really nice bends that way....

( now I've got a couple of bending devices...and still use my vise for stuff over 1/8th inch )

K