Rolling a sheetmetal edge???

Mods, if you feel that this question doesn't belong here, please feel free to move it. I though that maybe the info might be useful on other Jeep related projects....

OK, I've been asked by the local SCA (Medievel combat re-enactment group) to do some work on their armor. One of the things is a breastplate that needs to be shortened up for the owner. I'll need to cut it, which is easy enough, but then I have to "roll" (ie, fold the edge over to leave a soft lip...) the edge once I'm done. Any tricks to doing this cleanly and consistantly? I want to do a clean job for them so I can mebbe make some side money off this.....

 

http://www.onlinearmory.com/

This is a link to my friends site, Klause Gehr. He does custom armour work for all types of things. Contact him. He is a great guy and likes to share his knowledge. Tell him John Stone said to call. He will more then likely be able to tell you exactly how to do what you want.

 

This is called a hem. Normally done in a leaf brake & most commonly 1/2". In a leaf brake you first bend over past 90 to the limit of the brake - about 160 degrees. Then you release the brake and slip the part all the way into the brake and clamp down the brake which presses the hem closed. This can also be done using a press brake but it's a slightly different process.

If the part is not flat then you would use a roll former - powered or hand crank. This gives you about a 1/4 inch (or 3/16) turned up at a 90. Then you just tap it over with a hammer.

If you're trying to do this at home I would say at least get a set of tongs. The less expensive vice grip style work ok. Then you can bend about 3" over at a time in several steps. Get the whole side started at about 10 or 20 degrees and just keep working it until you're past 90 as far as you can go. Then finish it with a hammer. Probably would be easier to do a 1/2 inch instead of a 1/4 inch.

The thickness and type of metal make a big difference in the difficulty. I'm not a sheet metal mechanic but I do work at a sheet metal shop. HTH.

 

This page sums it up nicely. I did a couple of practice pieces, and by the second one, it was a little sloppy, but coming together. Just have to practice to get as good as this guy!

http://www.ageofarmour.com/education/armour_rolled_edges1.html

 

Same here. IIRC they just used a hammer and a dolly.