Wow, great tech! Thanks for taking the time to put this together so we could all follow along. I LOVE stuff like this!!
Tri-State Aviation in Wahpeton N.D. and Odegard Wings in Kindred N.D. both manufacturers of WWII warbird parts made their own hydroforming machines.They make many parts off of original North American Aviation blueprints.It appears they use a fairly soft aluminum and heat treat it after forming in their own ovens.
Incredible. This is something I could actually do, too. One question, is there a lot of fluid loss when you open it up?
Oops, I forgot to say that I think I read where a handheld grease gun can do 2000 or a bit more PSI, if you don't have anything else.[/QUOTE] a decent grease gun will put out 6000-10000 psi. awesome tech by the way!
I take the gauge fitting out, and pour the oil into a clean jar and reuse the oil. Then, when I unbolt the die, there is only a bit of oil left. Stainless is really tough stuff to form, IMO. I don't think I could ever get stainless to seal itself to the die grooves they way that the copper can, and even if I could get a good seal, it would take so much more pressure to form stainless.
F&J This is awesome, great work and great tech post. Now....would you please do some 16" caddy sombreros!!! pretty please!!! NRM