Im in the process of making engine mounts for a swap im doing. one is fairly simple the other requires me to make several bends. im planning on using 4mm mile steel. ive done this quick picture to explain the shape rather than try to explain it. ive looked into hydraulic benders but i think id have problems bding the second bend back in on itself as theres not alot of space there to work with (approx 8cm) any suggestions of how it could be done other than making it in 2 pieces ?
For a one off I’d slice a groove with a fat cut off wheel just where you want the bends, then run weld along it ofter it’s been bent. If you have access to a press brake without etc or et offset tooling it would be easy.
I use one of these sometimes. It's managed to bend up a tray of about 8x4 inches in 3mm steel before. But it partly depends on how much space you have between the jaws & the base of the vice. All the Best, CJ
I was looking at a small brake press but don’t think I’d get the 2 bends that are close together in tight enough together. Slitting and weddings and option though
If you don't want to get a local company to bend it on their press brake, then cutting and welding is a fair option, if your welds are up to it? I hope you're going to brace at least one side of that mount.
As been said before cut a line to make bending easyer and weld would make the bend thicker and stronger and depending and how strong you need it make a brace and weld in the middle ?
@Munkul - Your drawing is far better than mine! If I knew the dimensions, I could cut it out of thin stuff (or even card) and see if it was do-able on mine. But the all-important gap between jaws & base is only 60mm, on mine. All the Best, CJ
Yeh I think I could get 2 of the bends done on one of those but would have to slit and weld the last one
@seanc you thinking of doing the holes before or after the bend? If before you're going to have to be spot on with the bends As @Morrisman 1 piece laid out slit where you want the bends fold and weld,or even 2 bits one with the 4 holes joined to the one with 1 hole,over cut them so you can line them up,mounts? just the 2?
Done similar in a vice with a lump hammer and wearing ear defenders. Form the 90 degree first. Take it out, turn it round, put the part that will be the angle piece in the vice, so as you bend it, the 90 bend goes down the back/front of the vice - might need to use a flat bar as a tool up into the 90 bend to drive the metal over. Once done, take it out, form the last bend, again, maybe using a bit of flat bar as a drift to drive it over with the hammer. Finesse as required after forming.
4mm you can do in a good vice with a large hammer...6mm gets difficult even with a sledge hammer and a good swing I would also groove it by just a few mm and then run a weld...grooving gives you more precision as the steel will naturally bend along the groove.
put the groves in with a thin disc and on the inside , and they will fold like cardboard , as mentioned , run a weld down the inside and leave them alone , all will be grand ,,, even easier if you do it in two parts , and drill the holes before you bend it . a good old card board template is worth its weight in gold , nice cherios boxes work well , other cereals may work too .... for the old hands it was always either the card of the back of a new head gasket packet , or an air filter box ..
Speak to @doubleboost . It would make a great Sunday Nitecap. Plasma with required weakening slots and welding to boot.
