Sheet metal

[PixelCloud]

For my project i'm planning on using sheet aluminum (brushed for the top, and polished for the sides and bottom). I have an attached image showing the basic design of what im' maknig. Does anyone have expereince with sheetmetal? and would know how i would make this part below? It needs to be able to open and close.

Thanks

[DrewKaree]

I dunno on the thickness, but I'm guessing you'll need a metal-bending brake for forming that curve.  Someone posted their results on something similar, and even gave a link for a VERY inexpensive brake you can purchase, and how he went about making curves.

It seems like a very basic box other than the curve.  What exactly are you looking to have answered in the way of questions?

[Grasshopper]

Fabricating your own metal box will involve an insane amount of work. Why don't you just hack a printer (or KVM) switchbox like I did?

[Hoagie_one]

GameDork does metal work.  Contact him.  He did a fabulous job on my CP

[PixelCloud]

Fabricating your own metal box will involve an insane amount of work. Why don't you just hack a printer (or KVM) switchbox like I did?

i'm going into industrial design... it needs to look pretty (i'm almos putting it in my portfolio)

a link to that bending brake would be nice

[DrewKaree]

For how the rounded part was made, you'll have to do a search here for metal CP or brake or something similar for a keyword.

I dunno if these were the exact type of brake he used, but here were two I found doing a quick-n-dirty search:

Link for 30" Bending Brake

Link for 18" Bending Brake

When you find the thread explaining the technique used by that person, I believe there's a link to the actual brake they used.  $35 comes to mind, but that doesn't match up with either of these, so mebbe you'll wanna do a little investigative work. 

Good luck with your project - it'd be nice to see more metalwork projects

[Crazy Cooter]

If anyone finds the link for a $35 brake, please post it.  I'm very interested in something like that.  Don't make me spend $55.

[JODY]

If anyone finds the link for a $35 brake, please post it.

[PixelCloud]

For how the rounded part was made, you'll have to do a search here for metal CP or brake or something similar for a keyword.

I dunno if these were the exact type of brake he used, but here were two I found doing a quick-n-dirty search:

Link for 30" Bending Brake

Link for 18" Bending Brake

When you find the thread explaining the technique used by that person, I believe there's a link to the actual brake they used.  $35 comes to mind, but that doesn't match up with either of these, so mebbe you'll wanna do a little investigative work. 

Good luck with your project - it'd be nice to see more metalwork projects

I'm going into school tommorow and i *hope* that the schools metal shop will already have what i want. *crosses fingers*