DTSFab.com (Desert, Trail and Sand)
The Machine Shop => Welding/Cutting/Bending/Forming => Topic started by: Stomper on August 13, 2009, 12:32:04 AM
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It's not for a buggy frame, it's for the bimini top for my boat.
Can aluminum tube be bent with a tubung bender. I realize that it can because the original top is bent, but is there only certain grades that can be bent or can it all be bent.
thanks
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Fill it with sand and bend it, if ya concerned about it collapsing in on it's self.
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6061 and 7075 won't bend. I'd say you would be best using maybe 4043 or 3003 perhaps.
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It's not for a buggy frame, it's for the bimini top for my boat.
Can aluminum tube be bent with a tubung bender. I realize that it can because the original top is bent, but is there only certain grades that can be bent or can it all be bent.
thanks
Just make sure that the T factor is 0. 2024 0.
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The lower the alloy number the softer/weaker it is. Also is this boat used in saltwater?
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Personally I'd go with 3003 h14 or something close to it. Good corrosion resistance and easily formed/welded.
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Rember that when bending ali tube there will be allot more spring back. Also you will need a fallow block on the bender or it will want to tare. This is 6061 O .125 wall. It bent nice. Used it to build intake runners for corvair heads. Heat treated after welding. Should be clear anodised to for protection. Salt spray woud eat untreated ali up.
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The spring back of 6061 is why I said it could not be bent. I should have said I'd I'd not bend it. I agree with the anodizing to keep it from turning your hands silver also. 3003 has very good corrosion resistance naturally but will rub off on you.
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I've only bent 1" aluminum tubing, forget the grade, probably 6061, i've broken a few pieces here and there until someone mentioned to me that it bends better when you pre heat it. It seemed to do the trick, also a thicker wall helps to, with a larger radius die. Looked for more info on this but i'm tired, so i didn't find anything.
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I have bent 1.5 X .120 6061T6 in my bender. Had to polish up the backing die really good and grease it and the tube to keep from scaring up the material. Bent very well actually.
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I must have been doing something wrong. You guys have apparently had pretty good luch with 6061. I guess we all learn something every day.
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Thanks guys I will try some of the softer stuff. And no it will not be used in salt water.
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6061, 7075 and 2024 can be easily bent if it is in the annealed condition (T-0 as mentioned previously). You can bend it into the shape you like, and then heat treat it to a higher strength after forming (T-4 or T-6 for example). Please be aware that aluminum work hardens, so if you are doing a lot of forming, you may need to anneal more than once during the process. Also, keep in mind that not all grades of aluminum are heat treatable.
Pat
patm@nevadaheattreating.com