Another bendy question

[fran9r]

Again a project for my bikes, but this time it's a screen brace. The sample I have uses a 12mm OD ally bar, although if possible I'd prefer to use a pipe.

The only bend is 90 degree, although it's not a tight curve. Is there a tool I can use to form this type of shape?

Strength isn't a major issue, it's more about the stifness, so I'm thinkint the tube option would be lightest and best.

 

[hotrodder]

With the solid bar can bend it around anything that's a suitable shape/radius like a chunk of barstock for example or gently tweek it if we're talking a more of a curve than a bend. There are cheap plumbing/automotive bending pliers that'll work fine with ally tube. Again if talking more of a curve than a bend then can tweek it freehand around anything suitable. I've used a bare car wheel for forming roof bows (variable radius curve) for a porsche speedster replica before- cut a template from something convenient and sneak up on it. Can also cut a former from a chunk of MDF or the like and bend it around that but need to account for springback. More info here

Typically get a choice of 6063-T6 or 6082-T6 for tube, you want 6063 as it's more formable. Bar will be 6082 and is best annealed first unless talking real gentle curves

 

[madkayaker]

gas cylinders make good benders

 

[fran9r]

Great tips...I should have explained it will be welded afterwards, and I need to be able to source solid (to I can turn in a lathe) too. Would that affect the material specs?

 

[hotrodder]

Not really, 6082 welds and machines well and is generally what you get when buying barstock unless you specifically ask for something else. There are some free machining alloys around like 2011 which are to be avoided if welding is necessary. 6063 machines ok, good weldability and more formable than 6082