Rolling small components

[SteadyRed]

Hi

I have a couple of small NS components which need a gentle curve putting into them, unfortunately each component has two slots so when I try to put a gentle curve in the component it tends to bend at the slot which is a effectively a weak spot.

How do you experts handle this type of gentle curve?

I have used an old mouse mat & rolled very gently with a piece of copper pipe.

I am thinking careful use of round nosed pliers may be the only answer.

This photo should illustrate what I am referring to.



Regards

Dave

 

[markjj]

Try rolling them on a harder material ie a bit of Plasticard with the shaft of a screwdriver. Alternatively buy a mini roller from Chronos tools in Dunstable you will need to put the part on either thick card or Plasticard still though.

 

[adrian]

I have a couple of small NS components which need a gentle curve putting into them, unfortunately each component has two slots so when I try to put a gentle curve in the component it tends to bend at the slot which is a effectively a weak spot.

How do you experts handle this type of gentle curve?

I wouldn't classify myself as an expert but my technique for items like this is to roll it as you have done as the first stage then find suitably sized former, either bar or glass jar whatever you can find of a slightly smaller diameter. Then use a rawhide mallet and rub over the component on the former to smooth out the kinks. You don't use it like a hammer and knock it into shape, just rub backwards and forwards along the nickel.

Not particularly good photos but 7th and 8th ones in this post illustrate how I use it to form a roof shape.
2mm - Adrian's 2mm workbench. | Western Thunder

 

[farnetti]

Dave

I have found round nose pliers, because they are conical, easily introduce distortion into the part, and it will still tend to bend mostly at the slots. I generally use flat nose pliers making very gentle bends as I move them along the workpiece. It is best to start with the beds either side of the slots so that they can be supported by the pliers, obviously this is made more difficult when there are two.

Another option is to use one of those little bending jigs where the piece is slowly pushed into semi circular rebate by a similar sized rod (Eileens Emporium do them I think) but unless fully semi circular it will still tend to bend across the slots.

I like Adrians idea as well, maybe a combination of these will work.

 

[Locomodels]

What ever method you use to form it, I think that you should anneal it first. This will certainly make it easier to form. If you can find a bar of the correct size, a little smaller diameter than that of the required object. Metal would be ideal but a hardwood, such as oak or beech, would do. Cut some 10 thou. plasticard to size and sellotape both the item and the plasticard to the former. Then tap,or rub, the part to shape with either a wooden or hide mallet.

Hope this might help.

 

[SteadyRed]

Thanks for all the suggestions, much appreciated.


Dave