Putting a curve on brass angle

I am doing the roof on my Pansy, the roof is curved and attaches to the front / back of the cab with 1/4 x 1/16 brass angle which is curved to follow the roof profile. How do I put a curve on brass angle? It is about 12" radius of curvature.

Thanks, Phil

Phil,

Geo. Thomas shows how to do this in his book Model Engineers Workshop Manual Chap. 18 Workshop bending rolls., or in the original articles in ME Vol 142 Oct 1976 issues 3546 & 3547. I made a set of his rolls many years ago & though I did the mod for bending angle at the time I think I`ve only used it a couple of times to curve angle & it does do the job.

Regards Alan

A set of rolls with a slot to take one 1 leg of the angle is the best way. You can mimic the action of pyramid rolls by having two curved blocks fixed to each end of a vice jaw and a third in the middle of the other jaw. Just nip up the vice so it puts a small bend into the part, move along 1/4" and repeat, I have used this way to bend steel tyres for traction engines.

To fabricate you can take 3/16" strip, bend to your radius. Then rest the bent strips on edge onto some 1/16" plate and silver solder. Its then just a case of cutting them out and trimming the leg to a constant 1/4". Thats how I did the two angles above the axle here.

Edited By JasonB on 26/08/2014 11:52:19

If you don't have access to rolls, try this:

Soft solder the two angles together (to form a T section) and bend them to suit with your fingers. Match up to a radius drawn full-size on a piece of paper or to match the curve of the front/rear cab sheets. Melt them apart and fit. Might be best to make them slightly over-long and cut the ends off, because getting the beginning/end sections to curve isn't easy.

Thanks all, like the idea of soldering together as I have no rolls, will try that tomorrow. I am getting good at soldering doing the cab !

Cheers, Phil

I go down the solder route...tried bending, it was a disaster!