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Bending 8mm aluminium rod? |
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NigelSlee 
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Joined: 27 April 2020 Location: Leeds Status: Offline Points: 161 |
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 Topic: Bending 8mm aluminium rod?Posted: 17 July 2023 at 10:31am |
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Hi - any tips or recommended tools for bending 8mm aluminium rod so I can make a neck support? After racing this weekend I realise I can't do without one.
Coming at this project with no experience of working with aluminium (gaffa tape and cable ties my usual solution to engineering). I do have a good vice and a small hand torch and determination. I've also got access to a set of small weight lifting weights to possibly bend around? So a few questions: Do I need to heat to bend 8mm aluminium rod or can I do cold? If the weights don't work as a form to bend around is there a tool I can buy/hire (without dramatically increasing cost of project)? Would it be worth looking around for a metal work club or shared facility? Any earlier posts in the club archive? Any tutorial videos anyone can recommend. I've ordered a couple of 500mm lengths so I can have a couple of play around. Thanks!
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Martin Kiszel
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Joined: 05 October 2022 Location: Mansfield Status: Offline Points: 24 |
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Posted: 17 July 2023 at 11:06am |
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Nigel, do you know the grade of the aluminium. Some softer grades bend easily some don't like bending tightly. I tried bending (6082 I think) too tight a corner and it fractured.
B&Q aluminium is a soft bendable, even takes 90° bends. unless they've changed the grade. Used it on my Lambretta fly screen brackets. 3003 is good 5052 bends ok and is stronger than 3003. 5083 not far behind 5052. 6061 and 6082 is ok as long as its not T4 or T6 tempered which I had. Keep the bends open as much as you can. Formers are recommended but improvising with wood, saucepans whatever helps, don't tell the wife. Hope that helps.
Edited by Martin Kiszel - 17 July 2023 at 6:32pm |
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NigelSlee
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Joined: 27 April 2020 Location: Leeds Status: Offline Points: 161 |
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Posted: 17 July 2023 at 11:19am |
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Thanks Martin - really helpful. I think I've just ordered some 6082. Will have a play with it.
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Arellcat
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Joined: 23 March 2005 Location: Edinburghish Status: Offline Points: 95 |
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Posted: 18 July 2023 at 2:21pm |
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An alternative to aluminium rod, in the true spirit of bodging, is a stainless steel ruler. In my case, I wanted a neck rest that was somewhat springy, and I made mine using six inches of ruler, a rectangle or two of Correx, four M5 bolts, two of Sainsbury's cheapest scouring sponges, some velcro or double-sided foam tape to stick it all together, and an old Endura coolmax sock for sheer luxury. It actually worked really well for the (relatively short) time I had the bike.
  Edited by Arellcat - 18 July 2023 at 2:24pm |
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carbon Quest, Lightning P-38, RANS Sequoia, Kona Sutra, Orange Five, Elephant Bike, Brompton, Stumpjumper
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NigelSlee
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Joined: 27 April 2020 Location: Leeds Status: Offline Points: 161 |
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Posted: 20 July 2023 at 10:08pm |
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Thanks for sharing your headrest. Ingenious solution.
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