bending steel?

bsally

Need to bend a 10" piece of 1/4" thick by about 1" wide steel. Two 90deg bends. What is the best way to do this. Is heating it up and clamping in a vise going to do it? If so, how much should I heat it up? Or, is heating even needed to get the bends?

Thanks much for any help.

perry shooter

IMHO Just until it starts to turn dull red

jbw1776

I agree and if I were to do it, and have, I'd clamp square it in the vice first, with the line drawn where it's to bend a good 1/2-3/4" above the vice jaws. I'd then heat it with a torch, both sides, approx 3/4" wide, basically not a pinpoint line of heat. Once red I'd apply some pressure while still applying heat. It should bend quite easily.

Ben

glabray

With that thickness you will need to heat it to get a decent bend. You can use a vise as others have said but to get a good sharp bend (not a curve) you will also want to hammer the hot steel in the direction of the bend. Hit it in the heated portion just outside the vise jaws. Make sure the steel is hot enough as it will cool quickly clamped in the vise.

B17-P51

Allow 1/2 the thickness of the steel for the bend!!

Madman

1/4 x 1 Flat bar can be bent cold with a Polish micrometer (hammer) Remember the 1/2 thickness for scribe lines to obtain the out to out dimensions you need.

Paul
Mountain Magic Gunsmithing

bsally

quote: Polish micrometer (hammer)
[:D] This project has a little bit of South African Engineering to it too.[;)]
Thanks

47studebaker

I've heard of the BFH but this is a first for Polish Micromiter

7.62x39

Yeah...heat till dull red, not to hot or you'll open up a whole new can of worms

mond

depending on the grade of steel...all of the above

shootlow

i would put it in the press break at work
sorr i could not help it i work in a metal shop [:D]