Longeron Bends

[ljbuller]

3/4" angle is nominally .125 thick. We size the die slot at .135.

It has come to my attention that some of the material that Vans is sending out is actually .140 thick. For anyone that has purchased my dies, I will gladly exchange your dies with ones that have a .145 slot.

Try to push one flange of the material into the slot. if it is tight before bending or you have any questions, please send me an email at larry@bullerent.com

[randyintejas]

“Randy, since you used the dies recently as you described, can you tell me where did you start the bend, how did you progress or move the dies, by 1/2 inch, etc...”

On the -7 the bend is made between 38 7/16 and 69 9/32. I marked one inch marks between the above measurements and started the bend at one inch from the aft measurement and worked my way forward checking with the template every 3rd inch mark are so. Warning.. It takes very little pressure on the vice! Remember, its slight gradual curve. You can way over bend with the dies so go easy. The dies do not blindly make a perfect bend for you; they just keep you from using a hammer and fix the twisting problem. Also remember too not bend the angle outside of the given bend measurements. One other thing.. I marked the center of both dies so to keep a perfect alignment.

Good luck with your project sir!

This is my story and how it worked for me…

[txaviator]

Is there anything 'special' about the angle from Vans? Just in case I need to buy some locally? I buy a LOT of steel from a huge local metal company. They sell all types of aluminum too. If I can buy a few sticks locally, in case I screw up the angle in the kits, I'd like to buy the same type.

Surely Vans isn't custom extruding a special proprietary angle?

I sure don't plan on making a mistake, but just in case....

Thanks.

[longranger]

Just standard 6061-T6 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/8 structural aluminum angle. Just don't use any of the radius-less houshold stuff from the hardware store, though that is handy for jigging.

[truflite]

I spent an evening measuring twice. The next evening I remeasured and made the bends. Repeated the process making sure that I don't have two left longerons, which I almost did.

[txaviator]

I'm surely hoping that I do NOT need any further longeron material, other than what the kit provides. I was just looking ahead in case I made some mistake. I called my steel and alloy supplier today and he didn't stock it. But he made a suggestion: Metal Supermarket. They have locations all over the country, and sell material of all types and sizes by the foot. I called them, and if I need it, they stock it.

So as an FYI to anyone who may need longeron material, or any other alloy, Metal Supermarket seems to fit the bill. It's sold by the foot, and may seem a tad high priced on the surface. However, with so many locations, it appears they are convenient to a lot of us, and there are NO high-dollar shipping charges (like having this stuff sent in from Oregon). Plus if they have a location close to you, you can get it the day you need it versus waiting on FedEx. Hopefully I don't need anything further, but perhaps this info helps someone who may.

[txaviator]

Originally Posted by longranger

Just standard 6061-T6 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/8 structural aluminum angle. Just don't use any of the radius-less houshold stuff from the hardware store, though that is handy for jigging.

Thanks for the detailed info, Miles!

[Daniel S.]

A little off topic from the last couple posts... I just got the dies from Larry Buller yesterday (2days after I placed the order). I tried them out on a scrap angle & they worked like a charm. I tend to buy convenience tools when I see them and probably won't actually need them for a bit. But from what I can tell, these things are a liFe saver over the vice & hammer method.

[txaviator]

Originally Posted by Daniel S.

A little off topic from the last couple posts... I just got the dies from Larry Buller yesterday (2days after I place the order). I tried them out on a scrap angle & they worked like a charm. I tend to buy convenience tools when I see them and probably won't actually need them for a bit but from what I can tell, these things are a live saver over the vice & hammer method.

I thinking and hoping the same! This weekend it's time for the test!

[FresnoR]

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=36824

I also used the Orndorff method. Finished them in about 30 minutes and they came out perfectly.