rolling aluminium sheet

This topic has 13 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 5 May 2015 at 21:35 by Martin Botting 2.

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3 May 2015 at 21:33 #188504
Martin Botting 2
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@martinbotting2
Evening all.

could some wise person help me? can 3mm ali sheet be rolled easily without it cracking or distorting the outside diameter needs to be about 100mm and the hight of the cylinder when finished about an 25mm.

I have never done any rolling so not sure what it would turn out like and how easy it would be

many thanks in advance

Martin
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3 May 2015 at 21:33 #23852
Martin Botting 2
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@martinbotting2
3 May 2015 at 21:51 #188506
Michael Topping
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@michaeltopping17870
Martin

Depends on what grade of aluminium you are using. 1050A H14 is a good bendable/weldable grade of alloy which will roll easily in a set of bending rolls.

Michael
3 May 2015 at 22:47 #188513
Capstan Speaking
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@capstanspeaking95294
It will take a few passes as 100mm dia in 3mm on hand rolls is going some.

Also the sheet or strip material used will have a grain from the manufacturing process so it will be better in one direction than the other.

Edited By Capstan Speaking on 03/05/2015 22:48:11
3 May 2015 at 23:07 #188514
Michael Gilligan
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@michaelgilligan61133
Martin,

How critical are your dimensions ?

… "about" is a rather subjective concept.

You may find it easier to just get a slice of tube.

MichaelG.
4 May 2015 at 07:38 #188523
JasonB
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@jasonb
The fact its only a 25mm wide strip will make it a lot easier, I've bent 1" x 1/8 flat bar around soil pipe as a former in the past though rolling would do a better job.
4 May 2015 at 09:45 #188533
Martin Botting 2
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@martinbotting2
Posted by Michael Gilligan on 03/05/2015 23:07:29:

Martin,

How critical are your dimensions ?

… "about" is a rather subjective concept.

You may find it easier to just get a slice of tube.

MichaelG.

I have found a company online called metal bits that do 4"X 10swg I will contact them and asking if they will do less than the meter. I will alter the other dimensions of the flanges to fit. Thanks for the tip.

Has anyone dealt with metal bits?
4 May 2015 at 09:47 #188534
Martin Botting 2
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@martinbotting2
I will give the bending rolls a bash next week at the club and see what happens with some ali sheet..
4 May 2015 at 10:49 #188544
Circlip
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@circlip
Bit like saying "Can I bend Steel in a rolling machine".

"Soft" Aluminininium tends to clunk when ring tested, "Hard" tends to ring. Whichever, annealing helps. How are you going to glue the ends together?

Regards Ian.
4 May 2015 at 12:03 #188553
Ian S C
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@iansc
If you do have to anneal it, rub it over with soap, and heat until brown.

Ian S C
4 May 2015 at 14:48 #188566
Martin Botting 2
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@martinbotting2
Posted by Circlip on 04/05/2015 10:49:05:

Bit like saying "Can I bend Steel in a rolling machine".

"Soft" Aluminininium tends to clunk when ring tested, "Hard" tends to ring. Whichever, annealing helps. How are you going to glue the ends together?

Regards Ian.

I have some of that wonder solder. I got it after I was wooed by the sales person on one of the trade stands. to my surprise it works well and even I managed to get a good result.
4 May 2015 at 18:08 #188604
Tim Stevens
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@timstevens64731
If your solder works well, it is likely that your aluminium is fairly pure (unalloyed) Al. So, it should be fairly easy to bend.

Don't worry about the 'spare' left over from your metre. The left over stock will be dead handy for spacers when clamping stuff to your milling table, and to wrap round precious parts when gripping them in a chuck.

Regards, Tim
5 May 2015 at 11:37 #188706
V8Eng
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@v8eng
You could try M-machine for ally tube, they list a whole range of sizes.
5 May 2015 at 21:35 #188801
Martin Botting 2
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@martinbotting2
Thanks for all the hints and tips.
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