I have hit an obstacle assembling a bike trailer project: I need to bend 4.7 mm aluminum. The parts look too thick to work now that I finally have them. Yet, the thickness is correct based on recommendation from the reference design.
How likely is VHS to have tools or knowledge for bending small-ish thick aluminum?
An XYZ Cargo Bamboo Bike Trailer
I am assembling a bike trailer prototype based on two open designs (details):
The design specifies 5 mm thick for cases when you use aluminum. I want to use primarily aluminum parts with stainless steel bolts, so this is the material.
Hindsight suggests that I should have also bought a sacrificial practice piece when arranging for ABCNC to do the cuts.
I have reached a pause where I must choose between trying to bend them alone at home with handtools or organize wise help at a Hackspace or Makerspace.
I’m not a member of VHS, I don’t know what they have available.
Bending 4.7mm thick aluminum plate in those dimensions should be easy to do with a vise. For longer pieces you can use this approach to make the bend with a steel plate, a steel angle iron, some clamps, a rubber mallet, and a solid workbench. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENVYVdEfjRI
You can use a similar technique for your smaller dimensions. You can use a framing hammer and a piece of hardwood instead of the rubber mallet.
I was stuck without a vise or a suitable bench. Now, it looks like I could rig up a system with clamps for the “vise” and something firm to concentrate the forces.
Might need to do some searching, though. I don’t have any steel bits sitting around to act as the “jaws” to restrain the plate for bending.
Seems strange to see the video poster bending metal plate with gentle pressure and hammering. Metal just feels like it shouldn’t to that – especially when I look at the 4.7 mm thick plate.
The geometry on some of the pieces just looks so robust (4.7 mm thick and 25 mm wide). Even my largest pieces (4.7 mm thick and 100 mm long) look like I need something special to bend it.
