sheet metal fabrication

[digitaldrifter91]

i have alot! of sheet metal here...

i want to make a custom intake system to look like my stock system but able enough to do what i want..custom stuff..im still planning here...

but since i have alot of sheet metal i want to know how is it possible to join sheet metal like the shops do...and seal it..?

ill probably be creating a rectangular box at most.

is there any way or any tool i can buy to have some fun with this sheet metal?

its aluminum.

i got at least 20 feet by 10 feet of it =).

thanks!!

im not making one like that but im making a air box somewht like that..just an example. but ill be making one WAYY simpler...box with inlet and exit air just in a custom little space.

 

[c_rossman]

A brake would be needed to make good bends. Also a welder of some nature.

 

[tom slick]

if you look at that pic closely there are no bends, it is all welded. if you want to bend it you'll need a brake (as previously mentioned) there are small hobbly style ones available for not much. you'll also need a nibbler or shears to cut it.

 

[doitmyself]

Metal fabricating is somewhat of an art. Some are good at it from the start, others are not.

I have used two pieces of angle iron in a vise to do simple bends. It takes some practice to get clean bends.

Some aluminum (alloy) is easier to bend that others.

Pop rivets are decent connectors (non-structural) if you use some Permatex to seal the seams first.

I believe a company called Easton (?) has lots of do it yourself body shop gadgets.

Have fun.

 

[tom slick]

are you thinking of Eastwood company? they carry some neat stuff.

 

[digitaldrifter91]

i have a umm welder or something like it...i used it to put together copper pipes for my water system....i forgot what its called but it has flux, butane (i think) and then the torch from up top of it...

i can use that?

hehe permatex is creative...and i do have acess to a pop riviter....

i just dont want the box to fall apart on me haha

 

[tom slick]

you have a gas torch if you were doing copper pipes. it won't work for aluminum, you need either a TIG welder or a properly setup MIG welder for aluminum. pop rivets and RTV is perfectly ligitimate for sheetmetal fabrication, it willbe strong enough and sealed for what you want to do. just remember to use aluminum rivets in aluminum, steel rivets in steel...

 

[digitaldrifter91]

quote:

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Originally posted by tom slick:
you have a gas torch if you were doing copper pipes. it won't work for aluminum, you need either a TIG welder or a properly setup MIG welder for aluminum. pop rivets and RTV is perfectly ligitimate for sheetmetal fabrication, it willbe strong enough and sealed for what you want to do. just remember to use aluminum rivets in aluminum, steel rivets in steel...

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nice info there dude! ill look around tomorrow for my parts in my house heheh..

central cali...where in cali? im in sacramento

 

[tom slick]

I live near San Luis Obispo.

 

[digitaldrifter91]

ah thats like 4 hrs from me haha..

well how about permatex and sheet metal self tapping screws? wont that create a good bond?