Where could I get metal brackets made?

[CoolHands]

If I wanted to get some metal wall brackets made as per pic (I made in sketchup) where / how could I do so? It is to display models (a hobby). I would ideally like it made out of 2.5mm aluminium, with one fold. Would need / want edges to not be sharp ie not pressed out of steel with sharp edges.

Is it posible? Is cost prohibitive? I would sell a few to other modellers (hopefully) to end up cost neutral. Any ideas?



total length is 32cm with a fold in it. Width of main section 18cm, to give idea of size.

[Johnnytheboy]

Literally Google metal fabricators in your area. I've had bits like this made for work at random local places on trading estates for like £20-30.

If you rock up and ask them if they'll make it and they say no, most will suggest someone that will.

[CoolHands]

ok so not to sound ungrateful, but I was hoping to get them made at a much lower unit price so i could sell them. I thought maybe 5~10 quid each? Although that's a total guess I have no experience other than some flat plates I once had laser cut years ago.

[mr.man]

It's all about quantity. Small quantity parts cost.

If you can order about 20 off from a laser cutting firm who can also do the simple bend then I would expect
them to come out at £9 - £13 each.

ps. Don't talk in cm to fabricators. Use mm only. (it's a give away that you're inexperienced)

[Simpo Two]

Buy some ally sheet and make your own for your own use. I wouldn't waste time/money trying to break even (and probably just lose).

[CoolHands]

Well I’ve emailed a couple of places. I’ll report back

[InitialDave]

The shape to be cut to make it from one piece will generate a lot of waste material. I'd expect you'd be better to make the 40mm wide bent bracket and have the 60mm wide platform attached to it. Bonding together with an epoxy should be fine.

Is this to go under a model car, so the wheels hang off the sides?

[CoolHands]

Yes. I thought about wastage and I could possibly come up with a better design, but haven’t. Spent long on it. The platform just goes under the chassis of the car so the wheels hang down.

[Simpo Two]

What keeps the dust off?

[GliderRider]

InitialDave said:

The shape to be cut to make it from one piece will generate a lot of waste material. I'd expect you'd be better to make the 40mm wide bent bracket and have the 60mm wide platform attached to it. Bonding together with an epoxy should be fine.

Is this to go under a model car, so the wheels hang off the sides?

Exactly what I was thinking!

Find a sheet metal workshop with a guillotine and a folder and they will have the bits done for you in no time.

If you give them a sketch, tell them its not urgent and ask them to do the cutting and folding when they have a quiet moment, it should bring the price down. By sticking to simple strips, several can be folded in one go.

[chrisch77]

I used these guys lots of times in my last job and they should have no problem to make what you want - http://cirruslaser.co.uk/

[steveo3002]

bit thinner and you could bend them over the edge of a desk/vice etc ...would be cheaper to post them out flat

[Norfolk B-roads]

Unless they really need to be metal, which it doesn't sound like they do, for about £200 you could buy a 3D printer (such as the Ender 3 Pro) and churn out as many as you need for about £2 each (at a guess).

You could customise each one for each model, and add some webs at the bend for strength.

Plus, then you'd have a 3D printer.

[SS2.]

We have quite a lot of flat plate components fabricated on our behalf.

Prices can vary wildly from shop to shop so it definitely pays to get a few quotes. We get a lot of our stuff fabricated by companies on the Isle of Wight - cheaper than the mainland by some margin.

Personally, I'd want the brackets to be pre-bent - shipping wouldn't be much (if any) more for a batch of pre-shaped brackets, but the bend will be so much tighter if it was done by machine.

[thebraketester]

You can buy sheets of 2mm (or other) aluminium off eBay that are 300mmx200mm for less than £4.

Which just leaves you to cut it to shape, drill and bend.

[CoolHands]

thebraketester said:

You can buy sheets of 2mm (or other) aluminium off eBay that are 300mmx200mm for less than £4.

Which just leaves you to cut it to shape, drill and bend.

Which is exactly what I can’t do !

[thebraketester]

CoolHands said:

thebraketester said:

You can buy sheets of 2mm (or other) aluminium off eBay that are 300mmx200mm for less than £4.

Which just leaves you to cut it to shape, drill and bend.

Which is exactly what I can’t do !

Thats not very 'pistonheads' is it?

[CoolHands]

chrisch77 said:

I used these guys lots of times in my last job and they should have no problem to make what you want - http://cirruslaser.co.uk/

Thanks everyone I for all pointers

I’ve emailed above firm too

[singlecoil]

Norfolk B-roads said:

Unless they really need to be metal, which it doesn't sound like they do, for about £200 you could buy a 3D printer (such as the Ender 3 Pro) and churn out as many as you need for about £2 each (at a guess).

You could customise each one for each model, and add some webs at the bend for strength.

Plus, then you'd have a 3D printer.

Good bit of lateral thinking there.

[strugrat]

I could have these 3D printed for you in a Nylon/Chopped Carbon mix if you fancied. Could even reinforce with continuous carbon fibre. I think they would be light, cheap and strong.