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View Full Version : Anyone have a piece of 90 degree angled aluminum?



sully75
25-Feb-2011, 13:46
I'm trying to finish some camera building projects (and maybe take some pictures...). I'm working on a Polaroid 900 conversion. I need a piece of angle aluminum like the one on this razzle:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=72776

for the front standard. Seen in this picture:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=51977&d=1298634277

Definitely willing to pay a bit for a piece of aluminum for a camera or two, would rather not have to hunt around for it online. Anyone have anything like that? I'm guessing something 1/8" thick would do the job.

THanks!
Paul

LF4Fun
25-Feb-2011, 15:07
Paul,

I got mine at home depot ( or Lowe, can't remember ). They're called Aluminum Sheet Metal with various sizes.

here is one example (http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Hardware-Fasteners-Metal-Stock-Sheet/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg1Zaqsp/R-202183507/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)
:)
Dave

Rick A
25-Feb-2011, 15:10
Available at Lowe's, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, etc. Some local hardwares and hobby shops carry smaller sizes.

domaz
25-Feb-2011, 15:30
I think he wants angled aluminum not just flat sheet metal. The Industry term for it appears to be "Aluminum Equal Leg Structural Angle" you can order it cut to size here (http://www.onlinemetalstore.com/items/6061_Aluminum_Equal_Leg_Structural_Angle.cfm).

Alan Gales
25-Feb-2011, 15:40
Any local sheet metal shop can make you what you need in just a few minutes. They probably would charge you very little if they have some scrap aluminum laying around.

jp
25-Feb-2011, 15:48
You could probably cut one out of some discard aluminum case / box.

If making it from straight sheet metal as some have suggested, and you don't have a sheet metal brake, you can sandwich the metal between two paint stirrers or other disposable thin crushable pieces and bend it in a normal vise.

Brian C. Miller
25-Feb-2011, 16:33
What you want isn't what the hardware store has. What you want looks to be a large piece, with a right angle at the bottom. You can get this from a metals shop. They have sheet benders. You could also buy sheet aluminum from the hardware store, and then have a shop bend it for you. Just ask around, and I think that you'll find something very easily.

John Koehrer
25-Feb-2011, 16:40
If the big box joints don't have it, Give Onlinemetals.com a look. I'm not sure they have angles with unequal legs but they have an extremely large selection, reasonable prices and fast shipping.
The last project I got aluminum for was to mount driving lights on my motor scooter.
1/4" X 3" X3" X12"

John Schneider
25-Feb-2011, 16:44
According to the picture, the angle piece looks like an architectural angle (note the sharp outside edge and lack of an inside radius), although a regular piece of angle would work as well. In my experience such extruded angles have closer angular tolerances and greater stiffness than bent sheetmetal, probably due to the harder temper. I'd either poke around a local salvage yard, or some place like A/C Spruce (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/alumangle.php ) that sells by the foot, not the standard 8' length.

Jack Dahlgren
25-Feb-2011, 21:28
Aluminum sheet metal doesn't bend well at sharp angles like that. It is definitely an extrusion. The architectural shapes (with square edges) are usually of softer aluminum than the structural pieces. Considering it is the front standard I'd be tempted to cut it out of this:

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=15230&step=4&showunits=inches&id=1008&top_cat=60

Alan Gales
25-Feb-2011, 22:15
Aluminum sheet metal doesn't bend well at sharp angles like that. It is definitely an extrusion. The architectural shapes (with square edges) are usually of softer aluminum than the structural pieces. Considering it is the front standard I'd be tempted to cut it out of this:

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=15230&step=4&showunits=inches&id=1008&top_cat=60

Jack, you bring up a very good point. The piece on that camera is pretty thick and I wouldn't doubt that you are right about it being an extrusion. Thinner aluminum can be broke at a 90 degree angle. Does it have to be that thick? On heavier aluminum when you brake it you get a rounded angle which may be fine. You could also make it out of paint-grip which is steal that has no galvanized coating so you can paint it.

Alan Gales
25-Feb-2011, 22:25
Aluminum sheet metal doesn't bend well at sharp angles like that. It is definitely an extrusion. The architectural shapes (with square edges) are usually of softer aluminum than the structural pieces. Considering it is the front standard I'd be tempted to cut it out of this:

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=15230&step=4&showunits=inches&id=1008&top_cat=60

Your channel from onlinemetals looks like the best idea yet. You just need to cut one side off with a cutting wheel or a plasma cutter.

el french
25-Feb-2011, 22:37
You could probably find the perfect piece hiding inside a larger one. Wander through a hardware store or a thrift market.

joselsgil
25-Feb-2011, 23:19
Why not just use brass? It is easier to work with. I seem to recall seeing some old style cameras using some brass for their hardware :cool:

Jerry Bodine
26-Feb-2011, 09:19
Just a thought: When you finally get the angle for this job, you may have to do some shimming under the horizontal leg to get the upstanding leg perfectly parallel to the film plane.