Metal Workng Advice

[StephenM]

I made a set of carriage doors for a customer and need to make a set of 4 metal brackets for the inside. They will be the standard "S" brackets lagged to the inside to hold a 2x4 so the doors can't be opened from the outside. Like this:

I'm not much into metal working but have a small bench vise with with an anvil on it, a grinder, etc. My main question is how to bend a 90 degree angle in the metal bar (it's 3/16" x 1") Should I use the grinder or a hacksaw and score a thin line in the bar and then hammer it to 90 degrees with a hammer or is there a better way?

 

[Mike D]

Put metal in your vice and cold work it with a hammer. If you have a torch you can heat it
and bend it by hand. I assume its mild steal.

Based on your picture if you use your vice, starting from left to right bend the first angle, then the second angle and finish with the slight angle depicted on the far right. If you want the finish to be smooth then use metal jaw protectors in your vice otherwise you'll have a waffle pattern stamped in the bracket. If you score a line in the metal at the bend points they will crack when you bend them. When you lay out the locations for the bends, make sure you account for the radius created at the bend locations.

 

[PTsideshow]

The best way is to go to the big box store or a hardware and buy the Stanley versions, for the gates or doors. If you aren't comfortable doing it it would be easier to buy em.

If you what them blackened instead of galvanized. you can remove the galvanizing with vinegar and when done wash real good and DRY each one of to stop the rust from forming. Put the items in a plastic container, cover with vinegar and then wait checking on the progress every couple hours.

When dry you either can prep and paint them, or using a propane torch neat the metal pieces to a black heat and with a "cotton" rag apply any kind of oil other than used motor oils or the synthetic oils due to heavy metals and chemicals that in them. you also can dip them in a sholoow pan filled with oil, or a "Natural Bristle" paint brush, if you you use plastic bristles or polyester rags they tend to melt.
And do it out side, as it produces smoke. You can repeat to get a darker color!

:clown:

 

[StephenM]

Thanks very much! (I really should re-read my posts prior to sending them -- "then hammer it to 90 degrees with a hammer". I guess that's as opposed to hammering it to 90 degrees with a screwdriver or pair of pliers)

PTsideshow , I checked at Lowe's and they didn't carry them. In addition, this customer has become a royal PITA lately. I charge her 30.00 an hour and I figure with her PITA quotient, it's going to take me 2-1/2 hours to make them...

 

[PTsideshow]

Tractor supply has them at the stores. I have bought them at Home Despot locally National hardware Co. sold them too
they are national hardware Sp15BC open bar holder zinc
An open bar holder from National Hardware® designed allow a 2 in.x4 in. or other like item to secure the meeting of two doors or a door and frame. Tractor Supply sells them in store only.

Amazon has a number of assorted brands. Amazon.com: open bar holder zinc

You may want to try ACE hardware
:clown:

 

[triw51]

When I bend metal like yours I use 3 short pieces of angle iron. (Most vice jaws will leave marks and are not always square) two of the pieces go into the vice covering the jaws., When the strip is where you want it you clamp the 3rd piece of angle iron to the back (away from the bend) of the metal strip you are bending. with a pair of vice grips you bend the metal by moving the angle iron. This way you get a nice bend and the metal is straight. Then square your bend with a few hammer taps.

 

[The Penguin]

Lowes, Home Depot or Ace Hardward should all have them.