aluminum question

[fuller]

Great forum. My question is this. How can I bend aluminum c molding or maybe u molding ( i guess it depends on how you look at it) I need a piece .5"x1"x.5" and about a 64th thick to cover a bare edge. the radius isn't too sharp, however the aluminum just keeps bunching on the edges when i try to go around my profile. thanks. man this forum is addicting
-M

[halfdome, Danny]

Maybe annealing would lend it to bend. Take a candle and soot up the aluminum and slowly heat it with a propane or mapp gas torch until most of the soot is gone. Don't stay in one spot very long or it will melt. After it naturally cools it should be easier to bend but channel may still be difficult. Use your hand or a small soft rubber or leather mallet to massage it around the profile. Good luck, Danny

[madjack]

Danny's advice is right on the money...you will need to anneal the piece first...if you enter the word "annealing" into the search functon, you will get a ton of good info on the process................
madjack

[fuller]

Thanks guys will give it a shot. going camping this weekend I'll try and attempt it when i get back. again thanks so much

[FireLion]

Can you bend it slooooowly with a pipe bender?

[alffink]

Pipe benders in general are designed for round material, specifically pipe and have a trendency to crush the square corners of channel or angels

There are benders out there, that have special fixtureing for different shaped stock, such as wrought iorn. when you get into channel and such....these benders tend to be priced a bit out of the hobbiests range.

annealing and taking your time with the proper template and a soft mallet can get your stock to the same place, as long as the radius isn't too extream.