Aluminum Bending

[ZUKEYPR]

Does anyone know of an aftermarket company that makes an aluminum slider such as the one shown here http://www.bigdaddyoffroad.com/product_info.php?products_id=96
for a TJ/LJ that the step kicks out further. The one on the link is pretty much useless as a step due to the narrowness of it.

If not would there be any business locally who could bend the 6061-T6 to the shape of what I am referring to? I know gen right makes precisely what I'm looking for, but not for the TJ's.

Thanks

 

[idahoyj]

My dad had those on his last TJ. Once he put a little grip tape on them, it ended up being a pretty decent step.

 

[hans j]

I'm looking for someone to bend heavy stuff too but might just end up with a harbor freight press and something like this: http://www.swagoffroad.com/20-TON-Press-Brake-DIY-Builder-Kit_p_40.html

It's overkill for what I want to build right now, but never know when I might want something wider. (I just need to bend some 1/16 plate to make artificial rain gutters for my westfalia)

 

[ZUKEYPR]

thanks but not wide enough

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Dustin at DP Custom Fab:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/DP-Custom-Fab/112803558799641

 

[ZUKEYPR]

Thanks kurt

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks kurt

He does amazing work and has a fantastic array of tools and equipment. I don't know how he will be price wise versus off-the-shelf parts made in bulk but his will be cleaner, stronger and custom.

His aluminum work


(Intercooler)


(Gas Tank)

 

[carsonc1974]

Those are going to be some pricey suckers to do as one off pieces... Ill second the DP Custom Fab recommendation. I've never had him do anything for me, but been in his shop a couple of times and he definitely does quality work.

 

[carsonc1974]

As I think about it more.... I have no idea how they got those bends in 6061-T6 with out cracking! Only thing i can think of is, if that is indeed 6061-T6 they would have to anneal before bending(to avoid cracking), and then its no longer T6

I would venture to say the material is actually probably 6061 T0 or 5250... Then again I've never tried to bend something with that large of a radius soooo...

 

[ZUKEYPR]

As I think about it more.... I have no idea how they got those bends in 6061-T6 with out cracking! Only thing i can think of is, if that is indeed 6061-T6 they would have to anneal before bending(to avoid cracking), and then its no longer T6

I would venture to say the material is actually probably 6061 T0 or 5250... Then again I've never tried to bend something with that large of a radius soooo...

I've often wondered that myself with all of the claims as such. You can't bend 6061 very sharply and once you weld it they are no longer that strength. On the other hand though they could be building these then going through the cryogenic process for them to become that strength. Sounds awefully pricey though which leads me to believe that possibly they start with 6061 and never finish the process. Pure speculation though on my part.

 

[iamsparticus]

mitch with UFab on this site does amazing work

 

[Caleb]

As I think about it more.... I have no idea how they got those bends in 6061-T6 with out cracking! Only thing i can think of is, if that is indeed 6061-T6 they would have to anneal before bending(to avoid cracking), and then its no longer T6

I would venture to say the material is actually probably 6061 T0 or 5250... Then again I've never tried to bend something with that large of a radius soooo...

I was going to mention this but it's been so long since I did fab work, especially with aluminum, I thought I may be mistaken. However, we could never get 6061 T6 to bend really at all without cracking (we always dealt with tubing, no sheet bending for our stuff). If I remember right, we used 6063 and something in the 4xxx series (maybe 4041?) as both of those allowed us to bend without any cracking.

 

[ZUKEYPR]

I was going to mention this but it's been so long since I did fab work, especially with aluminum, I thought I may be mistaken. However, we could never get 6061 T6 to bend really at all without cracking (we always dealt with tubing, no sheet bending for our stuff). If I remember right, we used 6063 and something in the 4xxx series (maybe 4041?) as both of those allowed us to bend without any cracking.

But is my research correct that you could really use a lessor strength, bend it, complete the cryogenic process of strengthing that particular piece and then have no issues with those bends? Right?

 

[I Lean]

Most AL sheet you buy is 5052, or a 3xxx series alloy--just due to the bending stuff. You can buy 6061, but you have to ask for it...the "default" will be 5052 usually.

 

[carsonc1974]

i agree with Ilean. 5052 is probably the most common... at least in phoenix.


I dont believe your can cryogenically change 5052 to the hardness of 6061 t6... you can buy annealed 6061T6 though, its called 6061T0.. i have no experience in this though.