bending sheet metal

[kenny chaos]

1/8"x48"x48" needs to be bent into a "V" shape for trough around 6-way splitter. The bottom point of the "V" will actually be 8" across and the sides need to come up at 45 degrees. There is a guy around the corner with a giant break but he's very seldom in his shop and doesn't like visitors at the house. With a couple pointers, it seems like it would be easy enough to do.
Thanks-

 

[webbie]

Not true - 1/8" is quite thick. You need a professional brake to bend this correctly.

that is approx 11 gauge metal - most regular (hand) brakes can only bend down to 16 ga or so.

I think you need his (or someone else's) help.

 

[kenny chaos]

hmmmm. I thought I could just bolt a 2x8 down the center of it and run a torch along one side at a time till it softened enough to bend my angle?

 

[webbie]

I guess it is possible - but the material may thin out, etc.
A brake puts the weight right where you need it. 1/8" is amazingly strong. I have used thinner sheets than that to move boilers around on (200+ lbs) and they didn't bend much.

 

[JustWood]

48" is a long run to heat at one time and keep the entire length hot all at once. Might work if you had 3 torches going all at once.
Some structural steel distributors have breaks and shears. You might want to check around.Maybe even the place you bought your piece.

 

[kenny chaos]

48" is a long run to heat at one time and keep the entire length hot all at once. Might work if you had 3 torches going all at once.
Some structural steel distributors have breaks and shears. You might want to check around.Maybe even the place you bought your piece.

That's the cool part. I didn't have to buy it. It was a "reflective" shield behind the old stove which was replaced at your guys's insistance! Did I remember to thank you for that?

I do appreciate the replys-

 

[WES999]

One way to do it if you can not find someone with a break is to drill a bunch of holes along the bend line, make the bend and then weld them up, a little hoakey but it works.

 

[Dune]

If you are going to bother welding, cut the sheet into three sections, position them as you like, then weld them together. Personaly, I would bring it to a sheetmetal shop. Craig is right, 11 ga. by 48 inches is a difficult bend by hand. As far as using a 2x, when the metal is hot enough to bend, the wood would be incinerated. If however you MUST bend it by hand, scribe a line at each bend, chase the lines with a large, sharp cold chisel and a big hammer. Clamp the work to a solid metal table, with the chisel scored lines down, and a large section of chanel iron or angle iron on top, and then beat like heck, here heat will help immencely, yet you will be amazed at the effort required.

 

[madrone]

At 1/8", I'd be inclined to cut and weld if I had that option but not a break. Heating and bending is more work, and usually less accurate, even when scored with a chisel as described above.

 

[Dune]

At 1/8", I'd be inclined to cut and weld if I had that option but not a break. Heating and bending is more work, and usually less accurate, even when scored with a chisel as described above.

Agreed