Sheet Metal Forming

[A2C]

Folks:
I was wondering if anyone knows any other alternatives to forming a bulkhead other than this:

http://gunsight.jp/b/1/Fighter%20Factory-015.htm

A guy in the EAA told me these's a litle hand held device which will do the trick too. Any other ideas?

The end result is this:

http://gunsight.jp/b/1/Fighter%20Factory-016.htm

[Cvairwerks]

Sure would like to have that stretcher press in my shop.... You can form them in the old fashioned way....hammering around a form and using shrinkers and stretchers to get the correct profiles. Finnish with planisher and then heat treat...Lots of parts done that way even today. It's starting to become a lost art. There are a couple of places that offer some small group instruction on the basics of hand forming.

[hang the expense]

I manufacture parts for various A/C.What do you need? Maybe I can help.The stretcher is sweeeeeeeet.

[A2C]

I might be talkin' to you soon! For now, I'd like to try it myself.

There are two ways to do , I think the stretcher with a sweep, ot using T-0, heat treating, and then quenching.

What would you charge to do a bulkhead like the one shown in the photo?

Thanks

[Robbie Roberts]

I'd start looking at Aircraft Spruce's catalog(www.aircraftspruce.com) or going to the auto spectrum, such as the restoration supply places, such as Eastwood Company. They have a lot of items directed towards auto sheet metal which could easily be used(and usually is) for aircraft fabrication.

Robbie
A&P
KC2TYV

[Broken-Wrench]

You have to start with a thicker material than you need with a strecher as you have to polish out the strecher teeth marks.. I like using the hydro form and drop forge.

[262crew]

I agree with Broken Wrench however a more cost effective way would be to make a negative out of maple and beat your "O" material around the negative.

[A2C]

You have to start with a thicker material than you need with a strecher as you have to polish out the strecher teeth marks.. I like using the hydro form and drop forge.

I don't think this is a problem. If the "teeth marks" are at the end where the machine connects, then I would think that you simply cut 1-2" from each end. I think the real problem is the cost of the stretcher machine.

[Broken-Wrench]

Does anyone know the name of the plastic that you mix and pour into a bulkhead / circumferintual and it gets rock hard and you then pop it out and use it in a hydroform.???? I have used the plastic that is already hard and had to be cut to shape.

[262crew]

Does anyone know the name of the plastic that you mix and pour into a bulkhead / circumferintual and it gets rock hard and you then pop it out and use it in a hydroform.???? I have used the plastic that is already hard and had to be cut to shape.

RPFEM

[Cvairwerks]

Tuff Cast and #709 are other possibilities... Any of the two part acrylic resins could work too if you support the die well enough.

[A2C]

Does anyone know the name of the plastic that you mix and pour into a bulkhead / circumferintual and it gets rock hard and you then pop it out and use it in a hydroform.???? I have used the plastic that is already hard and had to be cut to shape.

Now that's a pretty cool idea. You can even use it as a mold ant put T-0 in, heat and quench. Very brilliant![/quote]

[Broken-Wrench]

Second question .. Has anyone tried to beat / form 2024-0 around plastic / resin forms... I never tried that but wish I would have..?????

[bdk]

Second question .. Has anyone tried to beat / form 2024-0 around plastic / resin forms... I never tried that but wish I would have..?????

I've seen it done with quickset.

[Rossco]

Hammerforming or rolling around a die might be the way..Had similar dramas with the Spitfire frame cappings.