Author Topic: bending sheet metal for hive tops (Read 16630 times)

DLMKA · « **on:** January 14, 2014, 12:11:58 pm »

What do you do for corners? I was going to use aluminum or galvanized flashing. I have a sheet metal shear and sheet metal brake at my disposal but not sure what the best way is to bend the corners to keep them water from getting underneath. Any good guides or tutorials online? I haven't found a good one yet.

Perry · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2014, 12:34:57 pm »

I just make my 4 bends, load up the edges and corners with a quality caulking and put the metal on. A few nails and they're good to go.

Zulu · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2014, 12:47:21 pm »

Flashing bends so easily, just take a small piece of wood and run it along the edge and it will fold over neatly. Corners I cut and fold like a present.

iddee · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2014, 01:20:51 pm »

From the point of the corner, I cut to the bend line. It will be a 45 to the edges. Then I cut a 90 to the same spot, removing a triangle. I fold the sharp point side down before the square side, then fold the square side down over the sharp point.

Papakeith · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2014, 01:58:24 pm »

PKBees: making the outer cover photos

Here's how I did it last year. This year I may just cut n fold the corners

tefer2 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2014, 02:39:59 pm »

This is how we cut it out. You'll have to finish the ends with a hand break.

DLMKA · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2014, 04:06:27 pm »

Quote from: tefer2 on January 21, 2014, 02:39:59 pm

This is how we cut it out. You'll have to finish the ends with a hand break.

Perfect, this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thanks.

tefer2 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2014, 04:17:13 pm »

I normally bend the two long sides to 90 degrees on the brake.
Then do the short ends as much as I can, finish those partial bends with hand brake.
Fold tabs onto long sides, then add nail.

tbonekel · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2014, 08:40:07 pm »

I'm looking for a place to purchase the metal. My Lowe's has flat sheets for about $10 each. That would do two tops. That's more than I want to spend.

tefer2 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2014, 09:28:45 pm »

We buy it in fifty foot rolls from the local roofing-siding supplier.
$80.00, makes 31 tops. Lots of colors

DLMKA · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2014, 10:13:48 pm »

Quote from: tbonekel on January 21, 2014, 08:40:07 pm

I'm looking for a place to purchase the metal. My Lowe's has flat sheets for about $10 each. That would do two tops. That's more than I want to spend.

You can get rolls of roofing flashing in either galvanized steel or painted aluminum. Can get it in a variety of widths and in small rolls or large.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2014, 11:07:49 pm »

Indeed, buying a roll for 80.00 seems expencive, but when you figure each top then costs about 2.50 its not so bad.. but then you need to NEED 30 covers... A Tele cover costs me less than 8 dollars to make, so I have been painting them well, and not putting metal on.. If they only last four years I still save money..
You dont need to PRY on a tele cover, so it shouldnt get chipped up where it can rot... time will tell.

Finally Home · « **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2014, 06:19:15 am »

I have a friend in heating/ac. He gets me 4' x 8' sheets of galvanized for $25. Makes 8 covers. I've been using my drop pieces to make lids so I need to cover them with the metal. Bend mine like tefer's dwg.

Lburou · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2014, 09:29:43 pm »

I saw a metal top made in Australia that had an interesting look. The bend was about 60 degrees from the plane of the top. That leaves the corners a nice roundish appearance. Wish I could describe it better. Can't find a pic now, but here and here are a couple pictures of some metal work with a brake on a metal top. It may give you some ideas. HTH

CpnObvious · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2014, 11:24:30 pm »

Have you check with the local newspaper? If they still use thin sheets for printing they may sell them for a few short bucks. Should be able to get 4-6 tops from a single sheet.

apisbees · « **Reply #15 on:** May 08, 2014, 06:59:24 am »

Quote from: CpnObvious on April 16, 2014, 11:24:30 pm

Have you check with the local newspaper? If they still use thin sheets for printing they may sell them for a few short bucks. Should be able to get 4-6 tops from a single sheet.

All the news papers have switched and use either paper for short runs or polymer for regular news paper printing. Aluminum plates went out about 15 years ago.

tbonekel · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2014, 07:18:03 am »

Not in all areas. I picked up 10 sheets from my newspaper about 3 months ago. He sold them to me for $.25 per sheet. I need to go get some more just in case they do make the conversion soon and stop using them.

blueblood · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2014, 08:56:19 am »

Hmmm, I am going to check our local paper now.

crazy8days · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2014, 06:11:16 pm »

Menards carries rolls of roof flashing for $20.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2014, 06:43:39 pm »

Last I checked 24" flashing was 70 dollars a roll. They stocking it in shorter lengths now?