[TheForge] Fwd: Alum. bending

[Kenny O.]

  Today I learned a sweet trick with Aluminum sheet, We had to make a
  box.
  The top edge would be exposed it would be sharp.  The SOP would be
  to fold it back 180* to make it friendly.

  The problem:
  this box (4'x4'x4"deep) had to be made from 6061 .050 Al. This is
  medium temper structural material and brittle.

To bend it 180* would break it off.

  So we bent the edge to a ninety,then the Senior Journeyman told us
  to set the torch so the acetylene burns black.  He then painted the edge
  with the carbon.

After the edge was  blackened he neutralized the flame (turned on the O)
  and just lightly burned the carbon off.  Let it cool, and that sheet
  just bent like a warm tortilla.

  That was the best thing I learned all day.

  Just thought I'd share my excitement.

  Thanks
   KO