how do I get metal stamped/bent

[wisemonkey]

This is not related to 80 series (apart from that's where I need it).
I've this piece (where CD changer was)

I want it to have only one bend (at top) - it needs to be wider overall.
How do I make bottom bend straight and top bend to go out further. (Or which type of shop can help me)

I hope my question makes enough sense.

 

[Fosters]

Send cut send

 

[CharlieS]

A metal working shop and/or some body shops could do that for you.

 

[Broski]

Best to start over.
You could buy a cheep metal brake at HF and do it your self.

 

[NCFJ]

I second Sendcutsend.com
I bought QCAD and have had several parts made so far. Many more in a build that is just coming out of the gate.
Good skill to have.

 

[Broski]

Looks like you need to be computer savvy to use sendcutsend.
You would have to be able to create a cad file.
Maybe you young guys can do that, but this old guy would be lost

 

[CharlieS]

I've found old guy CAD (cardboard aided design) works well. Make a cardboard template at the dimensions you want, measure any angles you need bent, and give that to the guy at the metal shop/body shop. Tell them what kind/thickness of material you want it made in. If it is a decent shop, they'll make you something for the cost of materials plus labor (labor is very affordable at small shops around here).

 

[Broski]

I've found old guy CAD (cardboard aided design) works well. Make a cardboard template at the dimensions you want, measure any angles you need bent, and give that to the guy at the metal shop/body shop. Tell them what kind/thickness of material you want it made in. If it is a decent shop, they'll make you something for the cost of materials plus labor (labor is very affordable at small shops around here).

Basically how I do it.
Heating and sheet metal shops can also get it done for you.

 

[wisemonkey]

Send cut send

I'll keep this bookmarked but can't really make any of those files and was hoping to just reuse the piece

 

[wisemonkey]

A metal working shop and/or some body shops could do that for you.

I'll explore this

 

[Marvelicious]

I'll keep this bookmarked but can't really make any of those files and was hoping to just reuse the piece

It's going to be a lot more work to reuse. You would have to straighten six bends, then make two new ones. With a new piece of steel, you just have to cut out your shape and make two bends.

 

[cruzinfj1]

Couple pieces of leftover 2x4s, a bench vise, a dead blow, and a sheet of sheet metal from your local home improvement. Putting the time in to do something this simple will help you appreciate the work in the bigger things, and its something you can say you actually did.

 

[CharlieS]

Or buy a hydraulic press, spend a crap ton if money upgrading it, buy a brake that fits it, and make one that is only marginally better than you can do with a hammer. That's what I did.

And I still opt to take projects to a metal shop when I want them to be pretty.

 

[Marvelicious]

Or buy a hydraulic press, spend a crap ton if money upgrading it, buy a brake that fits it, and make one that is only marginally better than you can do with a hammer. That's what I did.

And I still opt to take projects to a metal shop when I want them to be pretty.

I've got one of those little tiny Palmgren breaks that mounts in a vise. It's an incredibly frustrating tool because half the time it's too small and or weak to do what I want, but for a part like this it would be perfect.

 

[Broski]

HF table top Brake, pretty nice to have around

 

[NCFJ]

Looks like you need to be computer savvy to use sendcutsend.
You would have to be able to create a cad file.
Maybe you young guys can do that, but this old guy would be lost

I am 64 and I am able to do it.
QCAD is pretty simple to navigate.

 

[Broski]

I am 64 and I am able to do it.
QCAD is pretty simple to navigate.

Did you use a computer for work ?

I’m a retired construction worker so computer skills don’t come easily for me.
That being said I do better the most of my friends with it.

 

[NCFJ]

Actually I did use a computer for work. I was a contractor/builder for years and in my early 40s I decided I was tired of beating up my body so much and decided to become an architect of sorts. I bought a killer program and a high end computer and taught myself how to draw professional level blue prints. I already understood the actual construction side of it (a great many architects are lacking in this department) so I drew plans that were answer building questions rather than create more questions. Took all my prints to a Mechanical Engineer for review. He stamped them and I was golden in any building department. I made a very good living at it until 08.

Here is the thing, QCAD is very basic. If you have a little computer skill and someone that is good with computers to help you it is doable. I bought the book too. I draw out pieces on graph paper first many times. Or make a cardboard template for something in the shop, transfer it to graph paper. Then it is a relatively easy transfer to the computer. I am sure that I can somehow scan it in but I have not gotten that far yet. Then you print out the piece 1/1 with your printer and check it against what you had in mind.

 

[knuckle47]

I am frequently admiring a man on a YouTube channel called “ Fitzi’s Fabrication “. He makes some very nice parts with a hammer

 

[Broski]

Actually I did use a computer for work. I was a contractor/builder for years and in my early 40s I decided I was tired of beating up my body so much and decided to become an architect of sorts. I bought a killer program and a high end computer and taught myself how to draw professional level blue prints. I already understood the actual construction side of it (a great many architects are lacking in this department) so I drew plans that were answer building questions rather than create more questions. Took all my prints to a Mechanical Engineer for review. He stamped them and I was golden in any building department. I made a very good living at it until 08.

Here is the thing, QCAD is very basic. If you have a little computer skill and someone that is good with computers to help you it is doable. I bought the book too. I draw out pieces on graph paper first many times. Or make a cardboard template for something in the shop, transfer it to graph paper. Then it is a relatively easy transfer to the computer. I am sure that I can somehow scan it in but I have not gotten that far yet. Then you print out the piece 1/1 with your printer and check it against what you had in mind.

Yep I think that extra time with the computer really helps

I did 45 years in construction luckily a lot of it I was a supervisor