Need Help on bending aluminum tubing for arch

sea scum · Jun-21-2007, 12:00 PM

The 5000 series aluminum is work hardened. It hardens as you bend it. 6061-0 needs to be heat treated to t-4 and aged to t-6 in order to harden completly, unless it's already in t-6, then you have to anneal to "0" in order to form it, then heat treat and age again. Both have the pretty much the same corosion abilities. The bad thing about 5000 series, unless you move it, it stays soft. So if you have a long straight piece, the straight area remains soft, and the bends will work harden. 6061 will harden completly when heat treated and aged. The 5000 welds a bit better, but the newer (last 5 or ten years) pulse welders have made 6061 very weldable. Both the 5000 and 6061-0 form pretty much the same. The 5000 is a bit more forgiving though.

Albiebac · Jun-21-2007, 12:07 PM

Not really many answers for your source, so I'll chime in. Check out IMS, Industrial Metal Supply. There's a couple around, including one in Kearny Mesa. As far as metal? I'd go with SS tubing. This is for an inflatable, so were not looking at 60-100 mile offshore runs, or holding all sorts of gear and electronics. With a few bends, you could get what you want. Now the bends, I do have a Harbor Freight bender that works, BUT they no longer show it. It's a floor mount A-frame bender with various mandrels. I've bent plenty of SS tubing with it. As far as welding?? That's the problem, it is time consuming and an art. I'm fortunate enough to have friends in the business, so we've just made an evening of it. You might be able to get away with SS tubing connectors to get what you need since your probably not going to need to support too much. There's a place up in Washington that I got a bunch of various pieces ( 60 and 90 degree Tees and base mounts for 5 bucks a piece).

OR, wait for someone to sell an arch on C-list or here, and have it modified to fit what you need!!!

Good luck, Eric (Albiebac II)

Bottom Line · Jun-21-2007, 12:10 PM

I've got a JD2 draw type bender, 2 TIG machines, 2 MIG machines and a hookup at Tube Service Company in El Cajon - the only thing I don't have is time!

Dirtguy · Jun-21-2007, 12:26 PM

All right. What he said about the actual listed properties is correct. But what the industry is using is not that shit. I can't order 5000 series "off the shelf" from Tube Service.

They almost all use the 6000 series and the wake tower manufacturers use the 6061 T651. I saw it printed on the goddam tubing while it was being rolled in the machine..

So I'll go back and tell them tht they're a bunch of A-holes cuz "Ed" sez so.

In addition, I just bent a bunch of 1 3/4" x .125 6061 T651 for a roll cage show piece and it bent, welded, and polished just fine.

I guess I was wrong...

DG

Captcory · Oct-21-2009, 03:06 PM

Dude, just buy an arch..

fishnazzi · Oct-21-2009, 03:34 PM

There is a fellow on the WA board his tag is Goatram. He builds arches in his shop at home. He only does aluminum. I know you are down south, but shoot him a pm. He is a really nice guy who is always willing to share info and help out another BDer. I'll bet that it will be worth your time.

goatram · Oct-21-2009, 09:52 PM

This is made out of 6063 Al. bent with the Harbor Frieght Special. Check out my Gallery for more pics. 6061 T6 will bust every time. 5056 in flat sheet and 6063 in tube. The extrusion that boat builders use is made of 6061.
Dirtguy
Sorry dude ya need glasses or ya were

sandiegofisherm · Oct-21-2009, 10:38 PM

thread is over 2 years old

fishnazzi · Oct-21-2009, 10:41 PM

Captcory
Registered User

Name: Cory
Vessel: 24' Skipjack Flybridge
Location: Long Beach
Job:USCG Boarding Officer
Posts: 1

Dude, just buy an arch..

Should of known................Didn't look.

sixty · Oct-21-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatram

This is made out of 6063 Al. bent with the Harbor Frieght Special. Check out my Gallery for more pics. 6061 T6 will bust every time. 5056 in flat sheet and 6063 in tube. The extrusion that boat builders use is made of 6061.
Dirtguy
Sorry dude ya need glasses or ya were

Nice work

You bent that with the HF pipe kinker? Is that pipe diameter tubing?

goatram · Oct-21-2009, 11:32 PM

Yes I did.

6063-T52 Schedule 40 Pipe

jpfilippi · Oct-21-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punkfish

A Harbor Frieght bender will actually work, not the bender of choice, but it will work for the money. Cap the ends of the tubing with rubber plugs and fill with sand before you bend, it will help lessen the kinking. My .02

Jas............................................... .................................................. .

ding ding ding, SAND yes, or freeze water in it .