How to bend 1/4" plate into 18" radius?

[Code54]

Stump bucket example

 

[GPintheMitten]

Thanks. I also found this thread. One of the posters had a design file posted.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/108903-stump-bucket-2.html

 

[GPintheMitten]

P.S. it reminds me of the ratchet rake digger attachement for a loader.

 

[Domush]

Seems like an odd field, where you have access to all of these tools, but not a truck to bring it the plethora of metal shops in the country.

It would literally take me 15 minutes to make that radius with the roller. Another 15 minutes to cut the back plate to fit and 5 to weld the two together. In less than 40 mins you would be 90% finished. Now consider the time wasted doing it "in the field" vs driving to a nearby metal shop.

But hey, maybe you just want the challenge..

 

[GPintheMitten]

Islandtractor, I know you want it curved, but you might want to check that thread out for the design offerred.

 

[IslandTractor]

Seems like an odd field, where you have access to all of these tools, but not a truck to bring it the plethora of metal shops in the country.

It would literally take me 15 minutes to make that radius with the roller. Another 15 minutes to cut the back plate to fit and 5 to weld the two together. In less than 40 mins you would be 90% finished. Now consider the time wasted doing it "in the field" vs driving to a nearby metal shop.

But hey, maybe you just want the challenge..

You are correct but may be forgetting that my location is on an island. When I say work in the field I don't mean literally in the field, just not in a well equipped metal shop. Major hassle getting bulky heavy things on or off the island as I don't have a truck just SUV and that is usually crammed with kids and other stuff. Difficult to get a ferry reservation for a trailer until later in the fall. Still, I would certainly avail myself of a shop to do the metal rolling so long as I can figure out exactly what to ask for and what type of shop to go to. I do use an ironworker shop on the mainland for ordering steel but I've never seen any big rolling equipment there (he specializes in wrought iron railings etc). I'll scout around for a "boilermaker" or someone who can roll 1/4" steel (if I don't go the Sch 40 pipe route).

By the way, this is a hobby project so I am not so much worried about efficiency in getting it done just would like to do it correctly and safely. As noted earlier, I already have a full QA adapter plate as the back (5/16") so it is just the bucket sides and supports I need to procure and weld in place.

 

[IslandTractor]

Islandtractor, I know you want it curved, but you might want to check that thread out for the design offerred.

Yes, I saw that thread. That is what got me thinking again about building a stump bucket which I meant to do earlier this summer. It was the post by Papaperk today that made me think about the round bucket shape. The simpler three piece straight bucket made by Champy is certainly possible too. I just kinda liked the seemingly simple curved shape bucket but didn't know how to build it (without big machinery).

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the cautionary advice. I will look into farming out the bending. Would a standard ironworking business be able to do this or do I need to find a "boilermaker" or some specialized business?

The alternative is to just cut the plate into appropriate trapazoids and weld it back together for an angled type bucket. I kinda like the "cut barrel" style but if the fabrication is going to be too complicated or costly I can more easily just make it out of flat plate.

I expect any fabrication shop could do the job...except one that specializes in ductwork. Ductwork shop equipment won't be stout enough for 1/4 inch plate.
There's two ways to form the radius (and you'll need to make a template for the shop). Either roll it using a slip-roller or "bump" it using a press brake. With 1/4 inch plate, it'll probably have to be bumped.

 

[IslandTractor]

I expect any fabrication shop could do the job...except one that specializes in ductwork. Ductwork shop equipment won't be stout enough for 1/4 inch plate.
There's two ways to form the radius (and you'll need to make a template for the shop). Either roll it using a slip-roller or "bump" it using a press brake. With 1/4 inch plate, it'll probably have to be bumped.

You forgot the option of an English wheel on steroids!

I imagine what boilermakers use is probably some hydraulic slip roller type machine. I've only used the manual ones that are good for sheet metal.

The press brake "bump" technique is not hard to imagine but I don't have easy access to a big wide press. Maybe I could do a front and back half that way on my little 20 ton HF press and then weld them together. I imagine though that it would be tough to get precisely the same radius on the two halves so it might be a bit of a mess trying to mate them after bending.

 

[crazyal]

I don't think a 20 ton press is going to get the job done. Around here the places I buy steel from have 1000 ton brake presses (or maybe 500). Anytime they bend steel they charge you by the hour (I think a half hour minimum) so asking to have them make a series of bends to make a curve isn't going to cost more than just one bend. Plus you could always make it with 6 to 10 bends that equal 180 degrees. Once bent it should fit in an SUV, just pick it up.