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Posted by Jim Wilkins on May 26, 2008, 2:53 pm
Please log in for more thread options > Hello,
>
> I would like to start making brackets and other metal items.
> Would anyone have any links or books on metal forming and the tools
> needed? =A0I would like to know how =A0how they form complex forms like.ht=
tp://www.tech-etch.com/shield/boardlevelshield.html
> Also how would you determine the gage of metal needed?
>
> Right now I am looking at a 3 in one tool, which can do 16GA. =A0Would a
> tool like this be the most useful? =A0I have seen a brake which can do a
> thicker gage but they seem to really jump in price and weigh just as
> much. =A0What can I use if I have a thicker gage?
>
> The metal I would like to work with are for robotics and just general
> purpose brackets.
>
> Thanks,
The 3-in-1 machines are barely capable of working at their advertised
limits. 0.050" thick 5052 Aluminum is a reasonable maximum for them.
If I really need thicker metal I build it up from extruded angle and
flat sheet.
I've built a lot of electronic housings with a 3-in-1, a corner
notcher, a drill press, a bandsaw and a belt sander. A good, squared-
up belt sander will clean up hacksawed ends so you can put off buying
the bandsaw.
If you need mechanically strong frames to support power transmission I
suggest welded angle iron or square tubing instead. Steel and aluminum
frames of equal strength and stiffness weigh about the same and steel
holds threaded fasteners much better.
Jim Wilkins
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>
> I would like to start making brackets and other metal items. Would
> anyone have any links or books on metal forming and the tools needed? I
> would like to know how how they form complex forms like.
> http://www.tech-etch.com/shield/boardlevelshield.html Also how would you
> determine the gage of metal needed?
>
> Right now I am looking at a 3 in one tool, which can do 16GA. Would a
> tool like this be the most useful? I have seen a brake which can do a
> thicker gage but they seem to really jump in price and weigh just as
> much. What can I use if I have a thicker gage?
>
> The metal I would like to work with are for robotics and just general
> purpose brackets.
>
> Thanks,