Although not specificity cruiser related I thought I’d share some of my previous knowledge and current findings. Sooner or later we’ll all need to make brackets to mount things on our Landcruisers.
I’ve always heard that aluminum work hardens...
This small bracket was the first (prototype) mounting bracket... to mount a RYOBI fuel tank on my Stihl line trimmer. When I bent it up I knew that bending it past 90* was a compromise.
It lasted about 15-20 minutes. The small engine has almost no vibrations... but after using about 1/2 of a tank I discovered it broken at some point. Had it been a intercooler mount, turbo bracket, light mount, gauge mount, or 100 other things... the results could have more serious. In this case there were no problems as a result.
Here’s the new and improved version beside it
Note the angle is still past 90*, but only half of what the previous angle was and a wider radius.
For this application I used 1/16” aluminum. For a Cruiser I’d recommend a minimum 1/8”. Heat also helps to reduce internal stresses from bending metal.
Here’s the project:
‘80s Japanese made Stihl Comercial grade trimmer/bush cutter. Compared to my decent, newer Stihl line trimmer, it’s like stepping up to gas from electric (all over again). It’s line will even go through stalks, blackberry vines (even 1” thick) and whatever else is in its path.
I’ve always heard that aluminum work hardens...
This small bracket was the first (prototype) mounting bracket... to mount a RYOBI fuel tank on my Stihl line trimmer. When I bent it up I knew that bending it past 90* was a compromise.
It lasted about 15-20 minutes. The small engine has almost no vibrations... but after using about 1/2 of a tank I discovered it broken at some point. Had it been a intercooler mount, turbo bracket, light mount, gauge mount, or 100 other things... the results could have more serious. In this case there were no problems as a result.
Here’s the new and improved version beside it
Note the angle is still past 90*, but only half of what the previous angle was and a wider radius.
For this application I used 1/16” aluminum. For a Cruiser I’d recommend a minimum 1/8”. Heat also helps to reduce internal stresses from bending metal.
Here’s the project:
‘80s Japanese made Stihl Comercial grade trimmer/bush cutter. Compared to my decent, newer Stihl line trimmer, it’s like stepping up to gas from electric (all over again). It’s line will even go through stalks, blackberry vines (even 1” thick) and whatever else is in its path.
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