Sheet thickness

[V6BOY]

Hey guys, just a quick one Im making a patch repair for a chassis rail what thickness sheet would be best to shape and bend I have lots of 3mm plate in the shed but it's near impossible to bend. Would I be right thinking buy 2mm sheet and go with that?

 

[Kent]

It's not impossible to bend or near impossible your just lacking the right tools.
Improvise!

You should use plate of equal thickness or greater never less imo. What chassis though?

 

[V6BOY]

I was trying to bend the 3mm in a vice heated it up with a blowtorch but was really struggling so I gave up, It's a partner van Chassis.

 

[MoreWellie]

it depends on how big a bit you are tryingto bend and 3mm needs a decent vice and a strong arm but I have used these before http://www.axminster.co.uk/adjustable-vice-jaw-benders-ax20496

 

[123hotchef]

get it hotter it will bend easy I have bent 5mm in a vice heated with just a map torch

 

[optima21]

or score it along the bend (leaving 1mm metal thickness) with a slitting disc in an angle grinder, bend the metal to shape and seam weld along the bend line

 

[piman]

Hello V6boy,

3mm mild steel is very easily bent in a vice as long as you have a decent hammer ( I normally use a 1 1/2lb ball pein), even lengths that are longer than the vice jaws are no problem , just do it in stages. No need for any heat, scoring etc.

Alec

 

[Burdekin]

I use 2mm for chassis rails/ outriggers etc.

But if for just the one patch panel and too big for a vice etc I just tack box section to the sheet and make a basic bender, works a treat. Then just grind off the tacks.

 

[Chris Stevens]

No need to use 3mm on a Partner.............doubt if any par of the chassis is that thick.

 

[V6BOY]

Yep I'm just going to go with 2mm for the chassis rail the original metal probably isn't 2mm! I think the body is made from biscuits tins all I have to do is look at it for it do dent

 

[colnerov]

BISCUITS, did someone say biscuits. I shouldn't think it is, that would be crackers!!

 

[T0rnado69]

crackers mmmmmmmmmmmmmm got any cheese..

could use a bit of angle, to save bending the plate, unless you need more complex shapes.

 

[V6BOY]

Good idea even some channel the right size would be perfect, I feel like less of a man now for cheating!

 

[T0rnado69]

yep that will work too, no no its not cheating its ermmmm being creative