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Bending the top |
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Before the struts can be installed, the top-cant needs to be bent
into the top on the bending iron. For this I installed an angled
piece of aluminium (see left) as I needed a sharp narrow bend.
First I cut the back of the top lightly along the cant line, perhaps to half the 3mm depth. I chiselled out this cut so that either side was sloping inwards, to allow for the bend. Then, after repeated applications of water (with a brush) and gentle pressure against the hot angle iron, I managed to get a fair bend without cracking the 'good' side of the top. |
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| The warm bent top was clamped into pre-prepared forms to achieve the correct angle of bend for the top. | The cross piece was a necessary addition as once clamped, it became evident the two sides of the tail would not stay level without some extra support. Next time I will clamp them top and bottom with clamps. | 4 small screw holes allowed me to adapt the bending iron for straight line bending. |
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| Here is the top, seen from both sides, with the new bent cant evident. | The top view shows the angle much better. | |