PopcornSutton
Well-known member
How difficult would it be to bend 22 gauge aluminum about 3 feet long? I don't have a brake, but I've clamped angles back to back on galvanized and rolled it over, but never tried aluminum.
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Bending 22 gauge aluminum
- Thread starter PopcornSutton
- Start date
Should not be a problem. Do you know the alloy? Either 6063 or 6061 will be tougher to bend and might want to develop cracks. Chances are at 22ga the material is 3003, which bends easily.
Do you have a plumber's torch? Use a Sharpie marker and make a line along the bend line. Then, using a plumbers torch, apply heat at the Sharpie line until it mostly disappears. This will anneal the material at the bend point making it much easier to bend.
Given that the material is so thin, make sure to not concentrate the heat on any one area too long or the material will warp.
Do you have a plumber's torch? Use a Sharpie marker and make a line along the bend line. Then, using a plumbers torch, apply heat at the Sharpie line until it mostly disappears. This will anneal the material at the bend point making it much easier to bend.
Given that the material is so thin, make sure to not concentrate the heat on any one area too long or the material will warp.
Honch
Well-known member
I have used a steel door jamb to bend metal of that thickness. Just take out the center door hinge, slide the metal through and pull the door closed the appropriate amount.
It depends on the alloy and temper. Unless it's not tempered, Aluminum typically needs a much larger minimum radii than mild steel to prevent cracking. If you know what alloy and temper you have, you can look up the minimum bend radii online, or in the Ryerson handbook.