Method for bending past 90 deg?

[Rio_Grande]

When I need things bent I use a local shop who has a press that can bend 1/2" plate. I recently need some smaller pieces bent to 180 deg for a project. 1/8 thickness, 2" wide and each leg is 5 inches long. Basically little triangles. I needed about 16 of them. When I approached my shop owner he said he didn't have any way to bend to the 180 deg but offered to shear the 5 inch legs recommending that I weld them together. While that is an option I prefer that the part be bent as I think it will work better with less grinding in this application.

Anyone have any recommendations for how to accomplish this? Thanks.

 

[Chilly807]

So, you'd have three 60* angles to form each triangle, is that right? The best way I can think of is to start with a piece of stock maybe 18-20 inches long, and concentrate on getting the bottom of the triangle the correct length. Clamp the stock on the thin dimension (sitting flat) in a narrow vise, then apply heat in a narrow intense band across the bottom of the flat bar and quickly bend one of the "legs" upwards to form a 60* angle. Once you have that bend right, cut the remaining material off of that leg and bend the other one (again using heat to get a tight bend) until it just touches the first leg, then cut it off and weld the joint.

If you linger too long with the heating process you'll have a very gradual, "loose" bend, not what you're looking for. I'd say set the torch to almost the intensity you need to cut with. Two people would be better than one for this, one applies heat the other bends and measures the angle. Since the steel will spring back slightly, you can make up a "dummy block" to fit inside the triangle, one that has an angle of probably about 50-55*. Bend the steel tight to the dummy block and the amount it springs back should give you 60*, give or take.

No easy way to do this that I know of without specialized tooling.

Unless you have equipment designed for those kind of bends specifically it'll be a labour intensive, time consuming process.

Sean

 

[Rio_Grande]

Thanks, the labor intensive time consuming part was why I was hoping to get a 4 foot piece bent so I could just cut them to the 2 inch width. I was afraid a torch may be my only option.

 

[bigtiller]

Isn't 1/8 about 10 gauge, maybe 11 ? A good hand brake can do that. An old sheet metal shop should have one and i am sure some "tinner" has one in his garage that he uses for a hobbie. The problem is finding him.

 

[hr3]

How about using a log splitter .. I did the same type thing a few years ago,, Make a jig the shape you want and press them into it..

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

Triangle tube ??
To bend three 60* bends you will need an offset box type bend dies.
Then you will have to fixture the parts to close the last angle for welding.

Good luck

 

[stuckmotor]

Some iron railing and gate makers have machines that make some interesting bends in bar stock. I don't know if they'll handle 2 inch widths though.

 

[Rio_Grande]

It is really only. 2/3 of a triangle, v shaped. We have a small sheet metal shop close but he is slow. Like weeks. I hadn't thought of using the log splitter,, that is an idea. I may just cut and weld them. Need to get this done.

 

[npalen]

I'm not understanding the 180 degree bend as that would put the two 5" legs parallel to each other and seperated depending on the inside bend radius. I would think that a makeshift punch and die could be made to fit into a bench vise to create most of the 180 degrees. Then the part could be flattened with the regular vise jaws but, again, I don't understand what the part is supposed to look like after forming.

 

[seaneastok]

npalen
Not high jacking the thread but I saw your location and I thought I would say hello. My wife's cousin Ernie Porter Is the part's manager at Carrico there in Beloit. Thought you could go by and kick him for me...
Sean