Bead rolling aluminum
 

I mounted up all my Air Ride compressors and tanks etc on a piece of 11 guage aluminum (0.125).... I wanted it to be light and low profile (as compared to wood etc)...I will apply a layer of Dynamat to take care of vibration...

My issue is that the sheet is still kinda flexible....not much, but enough to annoy me :)

So can a 0.125 aluminum be bead rolled?

I'm thinking just a couple of straight lines...nothing fancy

Since all the holes are drilled etc, will the bead rolling prevent these from lining up again?

What type? 3003-h14,5052 or 6061. If it's one of the first two it should be no problem just make a few passes. If it's 6061 and you have no other choice you could annel the area where the beads would be and make them. You should'nt have an issue with the holes.

Mark

No clue what type.... I bought a small sheet of "scrap/drop" from the local metal supply business

Is there any easy way to figure that out?

just try rolling on a scrap piece to see if it'll work,on the holes, worst case, you may have to file a little here and there.

BTW, how is that Cuda coming along?

I dont even have a bead roller, so I was gonna try and find a local shop that could do it for me. I figured I would ask before I show up and look like an idiot.

As for the car...its coming along...but slow. I'll post some update stuff soon....

Well let's hope the shop with the bead roller knows what there doing?

Dominator Hot Rods is now local to me... I've been meaning to go by the shop.... I guess this may be my excuse :)

I think you won't have a problem then.

Ned --- If it's a decent shop - they'll be able to do a quicky annealing job on the aluminum... unless you bought something really exotic...

If you mention the word "anneal" and they look at you like a deer in the headlights --- just thank them and leave... :rofl:

It would be easier to just bend the edge at an angle, any angle more than 20degrees will give it more strength. A 90 degree angle will make it very stiff.

Bead rolling material that thick usually doesn't look real good at the start and finish plus it doesn't do much more than make a dented line.

Go with a bend and you will be happier I would think?

I'm not too concerned with the final look....its all gonna be hidden away in the trunk. As for the bend edge....not a bad idea but unfortunately I've pretty much trimmed it down to the actual size I need...not anyhting really left to make a flange.

I can live without the bead roll....I was just thinking if it was quick and easy, I'd do it to add alittle strength

It is never too late to put an angle piece attached with screws on the edges or one right up the middle. Bonding it on would be really good.

You will know you need it or not once it is in.

:cheers:

Just save it for when you bring the car back to Tim's. He can put some beads in it, and it won't take long.

There's the best idea I've heard yet!

LOL

I have never seen 1/8" thick aluminum take to beadrolling well with typical beadrolling equipment. I have a basic beadroller and would not even try it.

What is the overall size of the part? You might be better off stepping up to a piece of 3/16". If not that, then fold the edges as previously suggested, Or, you could dump the idea of using aluminum plate, and use G10. Let me know if you want to use G10, I can usually get it for free. In G10 I would do 1/4".