280Z-75 Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I have some brackets that are in developemental stages. If someone is in the bay area (San Jose,CA) willing to donate some of their welding skills please let me know. The pieces need to be cut out and welded. Currently templates drawn out on a 1/4 inch thick piece of T6061 aluminum. If you have a 280z and want 240z bumpers, you create yourself a set without having to do the measurements. As you can see i tried bending it and they cracked...will need them cut out and the left bracket welded. I've already made them in flimsy steel, and they just weren't holding up as well as I had wanted them to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74_5.0L_Z Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 If you don't want the 6061-T6 to crack when you bend it you have to ensure that the inside bend radius is at least 2.5 times the thickness of the sheet. So, if that is .125 thick sheet, you need a .375 radius. If you anneal the material in the region of the bend before you bend it then you can get away with a tighter bend (approximately 1.5 time the thickness). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Pretty sure an exhaust shop would do that for $20 (the one near my place in Burbank does aluminium welding also, I had them fill my shaved intake for free). I guess you if you're just looking to borrow a welder and do it yourself that would be fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280Z-75 Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 thanks for the info fellas. I initially went out to a welding/machine shop and they were trying to charge me $60-80. At those rates better off to buy the ones available on the market. But I'm not too fond of the available options at the moment. Would benefit both parties if another 280z owner has the welding skills and wants to save themselves sometime not having to figure out the dimensions for the brackets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 aluminum plate welding is not an easy job. Al under high temperature would react with atmospheric oxygen, and turns into alumina, which is an obstacle for good welding result. So, gas shield welding is necessary, SAW welding for steels is not suitable for aluminum. Argon arc welding method is recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seattlejester Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Maybe try alumaweld rods? I know a couple guys who would do that kind of work just to fire up their TIG machines, it just depends on finding someone local who is looking for practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
383 240z Posted December 25, 2015 Share Posted December 25, 2015 5052-H32 will bend very nicely It has a different grain structure than the 6061-T6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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