Bending Aluminium Sheet?

[Kai]

Hi guys,

I have some aluminium sheet that I need to bend for a large open top planter that I’m making. It’s going to be either 1 or 1.5 mm depending on your answers. I’m looking to make 90degree bends on the ends for where the sheets will overlap for the box. The bends will be 30 and 45 cm in length. Do we have a metal bender that can handle it? If not any ideas on how to get it done?

[Stephen Casey]

How tight do you need the bends? 1mm aluminium is very easy to bend. 1.5mm not too difficult, either. If there's no bender suitable then you could clamp between two bits of 4x2 wood, and bend by hand using another bit of 4x2 to kind of 'roll' the aluminium over. Do the long sides first, then cut one piece of 4x2 to just under 300mm (say 295mm - in order to not impinge on the already bent sides) and use this as the clamping piece on the inside of the bend.

However, for really deep bends then this method may not be suitable.

Hope this makes sense.

Stephen.

[Stephen Casey]

P.S. The part about the wood not impinging is for the case that you want to create a tray (4 sides). If it's only two bends, on opposite ends, then that part's irrelevant.

Stephen.

[Kai]

Thanks Stephan, awesome explanation. In your opinion would 1mm or 1.5 mm be preferable for a planter that will be 180cm long, 40 wide and 30 in height? I could use some u channel as braces on the inside of the long sideshow and 90degree angle pieces on the inside bottom joints. Just trying to find the most cost effective way! Btw I’m going to rivet the pieces together and braze the joints.

Thanks dude