Bending the aluminum?

[David Delaney]

I am working on the vest portion (back mounted) and it states that a 4 inch wide piece of 3/8 aluminum is to be bent as various angle - I asked the guys at the metal store and they are shook their heads wondering how it could be done with tight corners and whether the aluminum would start to weaken.  Anyone want to share how this accomplished theirs?

[Cody Deegan]

It involves a large machine - at least that's how they bent mine.  It had a hydraulic arm that came down.  The guy bent it in a matter of seconds, I watched him do it.

[michael stevenson]

Find a  sheetmetal fabrication shop in your area. The Machine Cody is refering to is called a Brake Press. When the machine presses down on the material it is "bent" to the angle set in the anvils. There is stress placed on the material at the bend location because it is literally being stretched. Not all Aluminum is suitable for this type of forming. Some Aluminum alloys will break when it is bent in the brake press. Ask the people at the fabrication shop what material they would suggest for the vest pieces you are making. By changing the Anvils any angle you need can be formed. All material formed this way has some radius at the bend, although if the material is thin enough close to square 90 degree corners can be made.

Michael

[Cedric Akins]

What angle are the waist plate bends? Just curious. I am in the process of looking for someone to bend my waist plate and haven't decided wheather or not to go with all 45degree bends or some that are a little less as so to not make it squared.

[Wade Francom]

My waist plate has 4 bends, the inner bends are 25 degrees and the outer bends are 45.

[Cedric Akins]

Thanks Wade, but do you think it would make a huge difference with the front mounted vest that you have and the back mounted I am making?