Tube rolling??

[666]

Hi,
I have been planing a teardrop build for quite a while now. The alloy one on ebay at the moment is something like my plans. I have a full size pattern cut from ply.
My question is that with a tube frame does anyone know where I can get the profile rolled? My profile is for a true teardrop shape and the curves are not constant.
Thanks Peter.

[sportsman 1]

Where are you based?

There are a couple of places in Melbourne who could do it.

[666]

I live near Forster in NSW. Places i've asked can only do constant curves.

[JBJ]

Hi,

Why not make your side profile from a series of different radius constant curves?

The normal Rectangular tubing sections all nest( or slide) inside the next largest size, so you can weld different radius sections together easily using short pieces of smaller tubing as a joiner.

Your outer frame doesnt need to be more than 12mm to 20mm square

IF you keep the welding heat down, nothing will distort much, & you can always hammer a frame flat on a concrete slab.

Make yourself a template at a smaller scale so you work out whatever radiuses ( radii) you need to use.

Then as you weld things together, put the first finished shape on the supporting floor ( I assume). Sit the next frame on top, held by clamps to the first one, then assemble it & tack weld it securely. Then remove & finish weld. If you cant do welding, like most people cant, then take this email to your local steel fabricator & see if he can follow what I'm suggesting.

you can ring me in office hours on 0266-280027 if you have problems following my thoughts.

JBJ
It should be pretty easy if you sit down & think it through.

JBJ

[666]

I had concidered doing it that way. The profile I have has no constant curves, was drawn up with "ellipses" ,hope this term is right. I was led to believe that this curve could be done with the right machine.

[nugget]

G'day Peter,

I have recently had some 40mm 4G tube rolled to repair the front and back ends of my old bondy,


These front where constant. However as the rear profile was not a constant curve,


My bloke had to stuff around for ages to get the profile right



So they don't like doing it as it is very difficult to get right, I had to bend one a little more when welded together. But I imagine with a smaller lighter grade of tube it should be no problems for most rollers. A six pack a $$$ normally works. ;D Hope this helps

Nugget ;D

[666]

Hi, I have chased around Forster and Taree with no luck. There is a place in Newcastle that may,I need to take a profile with me next trip down.
Another idea someone suggested was to get some wheels turned up for my pipe bender and do it at home. Being time consuming it may work out cheaper and I keep the wheels for another day. Has anyone tried this and how well did it work??