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Longeron Spreading Help!

G

GVilleFlyer

Member
Hello! I'm stuck on Page 23-Is/U-02 Step 3.......spreading the longeron angle...... I've tried squeezing it with the 1/2" socket (and larger) and beating it with a soft faced mallet as suggested- but I can't get it to budge! Any suggestions? Buy a hydraulic press? Heat it? I imagine that twisting it to flatten the top plane won't be any easier.... all suggestions appreciated.
Thanks!
 

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GVilleFlyer said:
Hello! I'm stuck on Page 23-Is/U-02 Step 3.......spreading the longeron angle...... I've tried squeezing it with the 1/2" socket (and larger) and beating it with a soft faced mallet as suggested- but I can't get it to budge! Any suggestions? Buy a hydraulic press? Heat it? I imagine that twisting it to flatten the top plane won't be any easier.... all suggestions appreciated.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I used a stainless steel coupler for 1/2" threaded pipe. It was a little bigger than the suggested socket. I also tack welded it to my vice to keep it from moving, but that's probably a minor benefit.

The thing that made a real difference was sliding a steel pipe over the bar to my vice so that I had a lot of leverage. It was easy to get enough pressure once I did that. This is probably pretty hard on a vice so hopefully you're using something beefy.

Anyway, it takes a lot of force but it does move. Find a way to increase the pressure that works for you.
 
I used a huge vice and a solid piece of round steel that was about twice the diameter recommended. Small or cheap vices can break where the screw pulls on the jaw so be mindful of that. Also be aware that with the forces involved and the shape of the parts stuff can squirt out and go flying across the room with great velocity.

The twisting is trivial.
 
N8DAV8R said:
I used a stainless steel coupler for 1/2" threaded pipe. It was a little bigger than the suggested socket.
Click to expand...

I used the same, with a 5” vice. Using as much strength as I could muster, I didn’t need to use a cheater bar or pipe on the vice. I also used vice pads that had a horizontal groove to hold the threaded pipe and the longeron to keep them from popping out. Go slowly, with frequent angle checks (I used a digital protractor). You’ll eventually get there!
 
I used a cheap 3 ton hydraulic press with a bit of scrap angle to protect the vertex. Very controllable. 5 minute job.
Many ways to skin a cat.
Cheers DaveH
 
Thanks all for the advice and encouragement! I'll get a beefier vise and pipe for leverage....if i can't find a cheap hydraulic press :)
 
GVilleFlyer said:
Thanks all for the advice and encouragement! I'll get a beefier vise and pipe for leverage....if i can't find a cheap hydraulic press :)
Click to expand...
Check with your local tire shop or mechanic, they likey have a press you can borrow. Cost me 25$ for pizza for the shop guys and 10 minutes of time. Yes use another piece of angle so you don't flatten the corner. Twisting is no big deal just make sure you have a good protractor.
 
I used a 7/8” socket in a big bench vise. Took a lot of force to get results. If I had to do it again I’d go the hydraulic press route. It would be a better match for the force needed. Beyond that go a little at a time and check frequently for the measurement and you’ll get there.
 
jsalley said:
I used the same, with a 5” vice. Using as much strength as I could muster, I didn’t need to use a cheater bar or pipe on the vice. I also used vice pads that had a horizontal groove to hold the threaded pipe and the longeron to keep them from popping out. Go slowly, with frequent angle checks (I used a digital protractor). You’ll eventually get there!
Click to expand...
Not at that point yet but what brand digital protractor if to matters?
 
Thanks to all who replied. I have an $89. 6-ton press on its way and purchased a digital protractor. I'm still looking for the metric adjustable wrench and left-handed screwdriver :)
I'll let you all know how it went.
 
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