I need channel (aluminum preferably but steel would work as well) that has a 1" to 2" gap between the legs and the legs are at least 2.5" long. The choices seem to be short legs (like 1") or 5-7" between legs. I have considered crazy ideas like slicing the side off a rectangular aluminum tube. I have decided against welding because I don't want to acquire equipment and knowledge to do that and outsourcing is likely to be too expensive for this new ScopeRoller product. Perhaps there is a component of an existing product that can be salvaged for this. I only need one of the legs to be long.
One strategy that will look ugly is to use channel with 1/4" thick legs, and bolt 1/8" aluminum sheet to the bottom of the leg (I have to run at least eight bolts through the bottom anyway) and then bolt another 1/8" thick sheet to the aforementioned 1/8" sheet as an extension to the leg. But if you have a better idea, tell me.
A better explanation is needed. I have no idea what you are asking. Perhaps a drawing/sketch, if that doesn't cause Chinese copy problems. (They, and others, search email and blogs for inventions that they can quickly copy and rush to market. Especially email, it seems)
ReplyDeleteDone.
ReplyDeleteIf you want perfect sizes, then a sheet metal brake is probably the way to go. Although you might have trouble with the dimensions as listed and might need to build your own. There are tons of YouTube videos on how to make a homemade brake.
ReplyDeleteI certainly wouldn't discount getting a tube of the right height and twice the desired width and cutting it in half, though.
Do a Google search for this:
ReplyDelete"aluminum tube sizes"
OnlineMetals.com seems to cover the area, among others.
Forgot to mention:
ReplyDeleteyou can't use a brake with sheet aluminum if it's tempered, as most of it is. Dead soft aluminum is good for soda cans, I suppose.
Think I mentioned this some time back, but don't forget to check with scrap metal dealers any time you are in a city that has one. They typically sell by the pound, not by construction, so you can save a lot of money if you find what you need. For that manner, think about stocking up on stuff when visiting them. Helps to have some metal stock, if you have metal working equipment!
ReplyDeleteYour drawing shows a thicker "base" section than the "leg" sections. If this is a requirement and not an artifact of the drawing, your choices are welding or removing one side of an extrusion.
ReplyDeleteIf all sides can be the same thickness I'll side with PhaseMargin (above) and suggest bending steel sheet. To get that shape in those dimensions, however, will probably require stamping rather than a powered brake. It's also probable that rectangular steel tubing (or aluminum, for that matter) could be cut with a good band saw to get that shape and dimension, but your Harbor Freight band saw probably isn't robust enough to do it and produce reliable dimensions.
I think the search string you want is "deep c channel aluminum". It's used a lot for glass door frames and the like.
ReplyDeleteI though I'd posted this yesterday, but I guess not...
Can't find deep channel aluminum deeper than 3/4" legs. A good idea. Thanks.
ReplyDelete