How to bend this metal for cabriolet side glass frames?

I need to make the chromed door gl*** window frames like in the pic below.

The other pic shows a sample of small 14 gauge rectangular tubing that I will cut down the middle to end up with 2 pieces of channel like this [ ] .

The piece would be 1/2" wide by maybe 1/2" or 5/8" deep to hold the gl***.

I need to make the curves and wonder if I should make a set of short dies to use in a press. I would think I should make short dies to only try to bend short sections at a time? I can't see how a large die could be made to make the whole curve in one step.

The only other way I can think of, is make some sort of tool like an oversize conduit bender that would have a moving die sliding along a fixed die with the correct radius. ?

I think bending cold is the only way to keep it smooth enough for chrome plating? I don't think stainless will bend with what I can build for tools, so I think mild steel is the way to go?

Any ideas would be great. Thanks

 

Fill it with sand, pack it good, and cap it off. Then use a rose bud and bend to desired shape!

Should be able to find some techs on this in the Archives.

 

Ditto what Chaddilac says. Make sure the sand is VERY DRY, and leave a vent hole in the end caps. Make a plywood form for the radius, and screw some flat stock on the edge to protect it from the heat. Cut some clamping holes adjacent to the edge. Heat the tubing,
clamp to the form and bend slowly. Practice first on some s****.

 

Aluminum channel should be available in a size to suit your needs.

 

I have annealed and bent aluminum for that type of use. Soot it up real well then burn off the soot, it will then be annealed and ready to work cold.

 

At the Gene Winfield Cl*** I went to he had a jig for making window frames. Basically a 3/8" in the shape of the gl***.

I belive he heated it and bent it on the jig, simple as that.
Let us know how you make out.

 

Yep, he used stainless on a flat piece of mild steel bent to shape (same thickness as the gl***) with a foot to hold the starting edge in place. Bend the stainless into a U on a press, and slowly tap it to shape. then metal finish and polish. I think I posted pics of the process a while back.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4247460#post4247460

 

Find a sign shop, the kind that does big signs for resturants & stuff, they will be able to bend aluminum channel to fit a template you supply them with. We have a sign shop here that makes all of Culvers Resturant signs and menu boards that has done some stuff for me. They are good people to get to know. They did my sign for the roadster with a laser etch and did the aluminum channel around the edges. The guy that does this said he can bend alum. channel into a circle with a 3 inch radius if I want.

 

Hey,

The above is a great way to go............................it avoids the cost of plating, and gives you full control over shape and fit. Most grades of stainless metalfinish well.

" All great truth begin as blasphemies "

 

Another option is to use a "Br***" U channel, it will shape easily and take plating with no problem.That way if there are any blem's you can silver solder them and finish the part before you send it away.

The Old Tinbasher

 

Call Harold Ehle of Windsor Fabrications in MI, He has patterns and has made for both 32 and 34 Cabriolet side frames from extruded aluminum channel with tracks.

 

this thread is hilarious....why don't you do it like the guy did who made the ones in the car in the picture?

Get some 55-59 chevy truck window frames, cut them up, weld them together. I donated the window frames, because Steve didn't have any.

 

Quick question.... How would he go about packing it with sand if hes cutting the stock rectangle into "U's"?

 

He would cut it after it's bent.

 

This thread is not as hilarious as my attempts at getting started so far ..

Went to the used metal place and bought several things to try, but nothing is working so far.

Yes, I was thinking donor frames. Only ones I have in the barn are old VW bug conv front door frames, some are br*** on oldest, some are plated steel. I am going to see if I have enough of them. Wish I did not give away the rear quarter VW side frames with the curves already bent.



BTW, this car project is starting to ****...I was almost thinking about putting a bid on Steve's

My doors are a mess and I'm trying to use pieces of Dodge doors to make conv doors

 

I second this. I sold the Windosor parts, very nice.

 

I have a rough '33 cabriolet that I'll have to make window frames for some day. I found some '64 Comet Caliente window frames that have really nice curves to them. My plan was to make that work.