Bending steel is cracking at outer bend:

[HMEL]

All metals have an allowable bend radius. It is being exceeded. There are tables for the caluclation of inside and outside allowable radius. Some good information on the web or text books can help deterimine what that radius should be. Basically you are taking the metal to tensile failure on the outside part of the bend which is doing the most streching. The practical part is once you have the answer it is necessary to set the bending brake up so you get the desired results. So two things first know the allowable and the second is making sure that it is bent correctly. If you need an exceptionally tight bend then heat allows the metal to flow but for most of the real world such tight bends are probably not necessary. Trial and error works also if you understand why the material is going to failure. 1/4 inch steel is consider thick when compared to sheet metal. I apologize but I was not able to easily put my hands on reference material to tell you what steel can tolerate for minimum thickness. Got them for sheet metal but not the heavy stuff. Good Luck HMEL

 

[ome]

I had the front seat sliding mechanism on my Ford Taurus break. Some "Engineer" had designed the 1/8" thick steel to have a SHARP bend in it. It broke just like a mitered picture frame. I was really angry that Ford was letting stuff like that get by. I found out they were recalling Escorts for the same problem. I got the dealer to have it welded. While I was waiting,I looked at the new Taurus's and saw their seat tracks were bent on a curve. So I traded the car in on a new one. That was such basic safety equipment.

Eventually,I got to where I'll never buy another ford,for the incredible problems I had with my last one,a 1999 Windstar van.

Thanks George,
that is simply crazy that Ford would allow that, after the company could have just gone under.

We have had expeditions for over 12 years and have been happy, but never liked any other vehicles they make.
1/8 " is nothing when bent to a 90 degree

Jon

 

[george wilson]

A friend of mine got bumped in the rear of her Expedition and said it was never the same again. She had been driving Fords for years,but traded it for a Cadillac Escalade. She says it is the only vehicle she has ever had that she felt perfectly comfortable in after driving from Philadelphia to Williamsburg. She used to do that every month.

Ever get your key "stuck" to where it would revolve,but the whole vehicle was dead? That happened on every one of the 3 Taurus station wagons I had,and on my Windstar van. It happened on her Expedition. She called us as we were going to dinner together. I told her to just keep twisting the key and eventually it would come back to life. I think they used the same key mechanism on all the Fords. The first time that happened to me,I was going through a card access gate. I could not open the doors to get out. Bollards were in the way. Nothing worked,including the windows. It was very hot,and I got very worried that I was stuck in the car with the heat going up. I have COPD. Finally I got the blasted thing to start. That sort of thing happened several times. To heck with Ford. I'm driving a Honda now. P.S. the original equipment General tires went flying apart on the Windstar,too. NEVER buy a General tire. I had a friend who had all 4 fly apart on a single trip. They don't know how to bond them together or something.

 

[ome]

A friend of mine got bumped in the rear of her Expedition and said it was never the same again. She had been driving Fords for years,but traded it for a Cadillac Escalade. She says it is the only vehicle she has ever had that she felt perfectly comfortable in after driving from Philadelphia to Williamsburg. She used to do that every month.

Ever get your key "stuck" to where it would revolve,but the whole vehicle was dead? That happened on every one of the 3 Taurus station wagons I had,and on my Windstar van. It happened on her Expedition. She called us as we were going to dinner together. I told her to just keep twisting the key and eventually it would come back to life. I think they used the same key mechanism on all the Fords. The first time that happened to me,I was going through a card access gate. I could not open the doors to get out. Bollards were in the way. Nothing worked,including the windows. It was very hot,and I got very worried that I was stuck in the car with the heat going up. I have COPD. Finally I got the blasted thing to start. That sort of thing happened several times. To heck with Ford. I'm driving a Honda now. P.S. the original equipment General tires went flying apart on the Windstar,too. NEVER buy a General tire. I had a friend who had all 4 fly apart on a single trip. They don't know how to bond them together or something.

Thanks George,
Thank God you got thru that terrible ordeal, which really should never have happenned in the first place Very dissapointed in Ford , but cadillac is a good deal more money
Thanks,'
Jon

 

[Al 1]

Have a question about bending L brackets.
I have some 1/8" x 1 1/2" HR flat bar stock that is too flimsy for the brackets I have to bend up at 90 Deg. The shelf brackets are going to be about 10" x 10" Max. (L shape)
Two brackets need not hold more than 150 lbs. total. Should I go with HR 1/4" thickness or go with Cold rolled 1/4" thickness. Thanks, Al

 

[Illinoyance]

If it can't be bent cold without cracking bend it hot. Hot rolled steel is better for bending.