Bending diamond plate

[TallGuy7]

I am planning to skin the front of our teardrop with aluminum diamond plating so I designed the plate in SketchUp:





I tried to source fabrication to a local metal worker but I am confronted with a drop that is too wide fir the local shop. The plate is too wide.

I am now considering bending it myself. The thinnest plating I can find is 1,5mm/2mm. This equals 1/16 inch which I believe is .070?

My question is how to bend this sheet.

All input is welcome,
Menno


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[JasenC]

Can you just start screwing it on from the top working your way down equally and just walk it in, maybe with the aid of some ratchet straps.

[schnottus]

How are you attaching it? Itll probably just conform as you glue/screw. .063 inch is a pretty standard thickness here and is quite flexible, you could probably pre bend the entire thing (carefully) by hand, but its not even necessary. . Not sure how much of a difference going to .07 will be, but probably still plenty flexible in my opinion. If I was really determined to pre bend it id probably make a wooden form with a radius tighter than the final dimension and bend it with clamps or my body weight. That or find an old barrel or two to use as the form. Aluminum bends pretty easy.

[twisted lines]

Today I pulled on my piece 28" X 96 X .090 it's ez, if that helps
I sure would just try it. But not saying ya.

[tony.latham]

My question is how to bend this sheet.

I don't think this will be a challenge. I think it'll assume the curve of your teardrop as you attach it.



The stuff is flexible. Note the chip guards I put on the fenders.

Tony