This is my first real project with aluminum, very happy how well its coming out.

First cut off the old end tank


Then after fabricating a design and making a template, you start seeing something coming together






More pictures when its all done

 

Looks pretty fancy. Pick up a sheet metal brake and you can probably make those out of one piece of sheet metal.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by david@didrace.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Looks pretty fancy. Pick up a sheet metal brake and you can probably make those out of one piece of sheet metal. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm going to use my bare hands next time , yes I will be picking up a brake soon. Would you suggest a brake, or the ones you put into a press ?

 

I prefer the break. I'll post pictures up of our stuff tomorrow.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by david@didrace.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I prefer the break. I'll post pictures up of our stuff tomorrow.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks

 

nice dimes

 

Pretty nice I too would definitely recommend a true brake over the press type i feel its easier and produces a nicer job

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97Rob &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Pretty nice I too would definitely recommend a true brake over the press type i feel its easier and produces a nicer job</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks, will be looking into that.

 

looking good

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97Rob &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Pretty nice I too would definitely recommend a true brake over the press type i feel its easier and produces a nicer job</TD></TR></TABLE>

Where can i find a brake that can bend 1/8" aluminum thats not a press type that dosent cost 5k.

 

90 blackcrx get a box and pan brake, you will be able make the endtank out of 1 piece, instead of 5. there more $$ but well worth it for making box's and pans

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speeddave &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">90 blackcrx get a box and pan brake, you will be able make the endtank out of 1 piece, instead of 5. there more $$ but well worth it for making box's and pans </TD></TR></TABLE>

I just need to find one capable of bending thick aluminum.

 

yup, rule of thumb is 4 gauges lighter with aluminum over mild steel on the brake rating. unfortunatly a 12ga mild steel box and pan is $$$$

heres a nice one;

http://www.bifab.us/brake/bb-4812.htm

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speeddave &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yup, rule of thumb is 4 gauges lighter with aluminum over mild steel on the brake rating. unfortunatly a 12ga mild steel box and pan is $$$$

heres a nice one;

http://www.bifab.us/brake/bb-4812.htm</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nice and all but its to big, and probably cost to much money.

 

yah its a little over the top. really if your not using the full 4' or 8' of the brake with your material, you can get away with a heavier gauge then what the brake is rated for, i've gotten away with it lots.

 

I just ordered a box and pan brake today, 16ga. 48" from Grainger. I've been using some creative ways to bend stuff and it's just too damn time consuming, i finally gave in. lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tony1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've been using some creative ways to bend stuff and it's just too damn time consuming, i finally gave in. lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry, that and this quote is just making my mind wonder

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tony1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm a trashy little *****. lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

So which one did you buy ? 16g, how thin of stuff are you using for end tanks though ?

 

http://www.grainger.com/Graing...30003


The 16ga rating is for mild steel 4' long. It'll easily do quite a bit thicker in narrower sections. When i worked at Norwoods we had a real cheap one, like the 20-22 ga. ones, and i could do .125" alum if you were very carefull up to about 16-20" wide. This one should do .125" alum. pretty easy in the widths i'll be using it for.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tony1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.grainger.com/Graing...30003


The 16ga rating is for mild steel 4' long. It'll easily do quite a bit thicker in narrower sections. When i worked at Norwoods we had a real cheap one, like the 20-22 ga. ones, and i could do .125" alum if you were very carefull up to about 16-20" wide. This one should do .125" alum. pretty easy in the widths i'll be using it for. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Was the cheap ones, like the ones on ebay ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Inch-Sh...wItem

 

nah, wasn't that cheap, probably a couple hundred bucks or so. That one doesn't look like it'll bend much at all! lol

 

Yeah, lol. This one seems pretty decent

http://cgi.ebay.com/Small-Shee...wItem

 

I have an 18" one you use in conjuction with a hydraulic press I can prolly bend 1/4" mild steel with it. Its great for making brackets and misc **** ive used it to make a few end tanks as well ,but a bigger one like you guys are talking would probably be alot easier. Tony1 let me know how yours works out im curios to see

 

Oh and another idea for you guys is to just make your own. That way you can use heavy duty parts to so it will bend thicker stuff with less effort just an idea.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 90blackcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, lol. This one seems pretty decent

http://cgi.ebay.com/Small-Shee...wItem</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just depends how many you want to buy. If you plan to do this with your life, you're going to use the thing hundreds if not thousands of times. I like to save until i can buy a good tool and will do the job i need it to rather than buy half the tool i need and regret it.

 

While were on the subject of tools what do u guys think of this bead roller it looks well built think it will work on 16 gauge alum tube?

http://www.tptools.com/product...G2D4D

 

nice work. Probably will be hitting you up when my turbo kit comes together for some welding.