Curtis Husting's RC10 tub-frame. How did he bend it?

[hobbes]

Hi guys,

haven't logged on in a few years. As i'm getting more and more acquainted with manufacturing operations through my job, I was curious how Curtis Husting might have bent the first RC10 tub frame into shape. I'm still a novice when it comes to sheetmetal work, but i'm eager to learn.




I can't quite understand how he managed to bend the middle frame walls without getting a crease in the metal. Shouldn't a bend in the diagonal planes cause a crease? I have sort of an idea how he might have done it, but i think it's too complicated for a hand-made frame.

Would anyone with some more metallurgy/sheetmetal experience be able to give me some insight? I always had this half-idea to try and make my own hand-made RC10.

[Asso_man!]

The whole process is described somewhere in one of his DVDs if I remember correctly. It took something like at least 7 different operations. A very complicated process indeed. I would be able to source it back but would take time. Someone will probably beat me to it.

[RC10resto]

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=16520

scroll down to the pics of the raw chassis

There ia a chance that Curtis will chime in
I assume he hammered it over a wooden buck?

[hugger19]

Hi guys,

haven't logged on in a few years. As i'm getting more and more acquainted with manufacturing operations through my job, I was curious how Curtis Husting might have bent the first RC10 tub frame into shape. I'm still a novice when it comes to sheetmetal work, but i'm eager to learn.




I can't quite understand how he managed to bend the middle frame walls without getting a crease in the metal. Shouldn't a bend in the diagonal planes cause a crease? I have sort of an idea how he might have done it, but i think it's too complicated for a hand-made frame.

Would anyone with some more metallurgy/sheetmetal experience be able to give me some insight? I always had this half-idea to try and make my own hand-made RC10.

WISH TEAM ASSOCIATED WOULD DO A VERY LIMITED EDITION RERE OF THIS CAR

[Asso_man!]

Would look more like a release as this was never released

[GoMachV]

With all this talk of a release I'm surprised Thumbs hasn't stopped in

[RC10resto]

It's the weekend, he's coming off a hard Friday night.............just give him a minute

[Diamond Dave]

As if the guy works Fridays. He is probably sitting in his nice little shed/sports room/man area/beer fridge storage area kickin back.

But your right, give it a bit he will be here and have something to say.

[scr8p]

From this thread: http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=16520

Hi,
This is Curtis Husting. I'm not so sure you really want to attempt to make one of these chassis. It will be much harder than you think. If you think you want to attempt it, this is kind of how I did it.
First I made a one inch thick aluminum plug that the aluminum would be formed around. Basically the plug is the same shape as the inside of the chassis and you would bend the aluminum around the plug.
You start with 6061 -0 condition aluminum. This is 6061 aluminum that is not heat treated and is very soft. You then bend the aluminum sheet around the plug being very careful not to wrinkle the corners. This is done by using rubber mallets. Think of a blacksmith making a horse shoe. This is done in the same way. Working the aluminum around the plug can take up to about two hours to make right. It took several tries and a few plug modifications to get it done right.
If you decide to do it. Knock yourself out. Have fun.
Curtis Husting

[yellowdatsun]

As someone who has done a lot of metal fabrication, this will be WAY harder than you think. Curtis' explanation makes it sound "simple enough", but I guarantee you, it will be extremely difficult to get it right. Forming a sheet around a buck is one thing, getting it done without any wrinkles is a whole-nother' ball park.

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

As if the guy works Fridays. He is probably sitting in his nice little shed/sports room/man area/beer fridge storage area kickin back.

But your right, give it a bit he will be here and have something to say.

That was a pretty accurate guess!