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Stomper

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bending aluminum
« on: August 13, 2009, 12:32:04 AM »
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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Offline Reidy02

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2009, 02:04:19 AM »
Fill it with sand and bend it, if ya concerned about it collapsing in on it's self.
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Offline fabr

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2009, 05:46:26 AM »
6061 and 7075 won't bend. I'd say you would be best using maybe 4043 or 3003 perhaps.
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Offline fastcorvairs

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2009, 06:08:44 AM »
Quote from: Stomper on August 13, 2009, 12:32:04 AM
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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Offline fabr

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2009, 06:33:33 AM »
The lower the alloy number the softer/weaker it is.  Also is this boat used in saltwater?
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"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

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 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline fabr

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2009, 06:39:26 AM »
Personally I'd go with 3003 h14 or something close to it. Good corrosion resistance and easily formed/welded.
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"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline fastcorvairs

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2009, 09:45:38 AM »
            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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If I believe I cannot do something it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe that I can, then I acquire the ability to do it , even if I didn't have it at the beginning.

Offline fabr

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2009, 10:17:45 AM »
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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"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Icky

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2009, 11:59:10 PM »
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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Offline BDKW1

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2009, 10:34:14 AM »
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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Offline fabr

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2009, 10:41:04 AM »
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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"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Stomper

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2009, 01:27:37 PM »
Thanks guys I will try some of the softer stuff. And no it will not be used in salt water.
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nvheattreating

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Re: bending aluminum
« Reply #12 on: December 30, 2009, 10:15:49 PM »
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
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