that looks so nice. I tried to do it too and did not have such success. The only thing I didn't do was flatten the original, which I am now trying to patiently clean up and bend back to it's original shape. You do very fine work. I sure hope you are proud of yourself.....
Using a metal brake, bent edge and the part that fasten to the trailer was done by hand. Then very slowly form to shape using my leg.
Very nice. Will you explain or perhaps show what a "metal brake" is? Please forgive my lack of knowledge. I'm new metal work and the correct tools but very interested to learn. I checked the links but didn't recognize the answer to my question.
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Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
You can get simple ones for under $200, but they don't allow you to adjust the radius of bend. I'm looking for a 36" model of about the same quality as the one in the link.
If you're working on Airstreams, you also need to make curves. I have this set and really like them:
Thanks Zep. This is exactly what I needed to know. And I've been wondering about those curves too! Eventually I'll go there. Perhaps soon. Right now I'm looking over the preliminaries. Are there any threads here on the AIR forum dealing specifically with metal work? I'm just itching to replace a few panels and buck a few rivets.
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Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
He also posts on other threads with helpful sheet metal and riveting advice. If he's not the AirForums King of riveting, he's at least a Duke. Many others have metal working and polishing advice. Just for fun, take a look at what Carlos did to make the world's almost shortest Airstream (at least his is useable, the shortest Airstream has the door over the wheel well, so it's in a "special" category). Lots of good metal work here:
Very nice. Will you explain or perhaps show what a "metal brake" is? Please forgive my lack of knowledge. I'm new metal work and the correct tools but very interested to learn. I checked the links but didn't recognize the answer to my question.
Check with you local gutter shop, that is what I did. To bend 2024t3 takes a good size brake, he did about 4 pieces for $10.00. I'm going with new trim around all my windows, thats when I will buy a brake, but with the softer metal won't need a heavy duty brake. Been reading your thread and I think that your doing a great job on your trailer. I thought for sure that you where going to through in the towel, you should be very proud when finished, great job.
Thanks! For a minute there I almost did before I threw in the other towel and decided to push onward no matter what! Also without the input from folks on this forum I certainly wouldn't have continued. Thanks too for the tip about farming out brake work to gutter shops! BTW how did you get that great shine on your trailer!
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Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
Depending on the alloy being bent up determines the type of brake to use and the radius of the bending bar on the brake. softer aluminum's like the 3000 and 5000 series can use what is called knife edge bending bars but the tempered series 2000 and 7000 need radiused bending bars.
Parts came back from the chromer and getting ready to ass'y my Bargman door lock.
Between e-bay, hardware store, and the local locksmith, have a complete working door lock (maybe), and my question is: Do I have all the parts? also, can you recommend any improvements.
Installed 14 marker light today, can't use enough TremPro 635, no leaks here, going to buy a case of this stuff. Have 4 windows to complete then
will start the floor.
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For a minute there I almost did before I threw in the other towel and decided to push onward no matter what! Also without the input from folks on this forum I certainly wouldn't have continued. Thanks too for the tip about farming out brake work to gutter shops! BTW how did you get that great shine on your trailer!
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