Arjan Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 I hope some of you can help me as here in France I'm running into problems making the lifting roof for the 110 The nice people of Whitbread4x4 were nice enouogh to make this cage to my spec and now it is up to me to eventually cut open the roof for the lifting section between the B and the D Hoop. Below some pictures to give you an idea - the hole in the roof is not in mine.... Roughly 185 by 112 cm. for the lifting roof on the outside The opening in the roof needs to be a bit smaller obviously to allow for struts, fabric, etc.. There is about 10 cm. height for the lifting roof itself to make it sit inside and under the top of the cage When up (about 65 cm.) it will give me standing height and a lot of comfort en route It makes a lot of difference and I think well worth the effort. Sleeping inside and sitting upright or standing while cooking is so much nicer when away from home for a long time... Now, the problem I have that getting the roof "folded & welded" here in France will cause me to take out a mortgage and really, that is something I rather not do. The lifting roof part does not need to be strong enough to stand on - just on the "inside" a few additional profiles need to be welded in for the struts, fabric, etc. Insulation will be glued in once it build. In case I bring a passenger, I have a Brownchurch roofrack with a Hardshell RTT that sits on the roll cage and should not touch the lifting roof section. And before you mention polyester or the likes, they are not what I like. So, is it possible to fold the roof myself without the use of some big fancy machine ? What I need is a " How to fold 2 mm. aluminium for Dummies guide" really... The welding of the seams etc. seems to be sorted.. Thank You ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 I folded the roof section on the ibex using two bits of wood clamped either side of the fold line. You can then bend the majority by hand and hammering the last bit or by starting it by hand then clamping a third bit of wood over the bit your folding onto the internal bit of wood. Hardwood is better or angle/box section. You sometimes need to over bend a little to get your desired angle. The corners can be done with a flap folded in first (cardboard box style) which can then be riveted, glued (PU adhesive) or bolted and then sealed. I would rivet and glue an aluminium angle to the underside of the hole with it sticking upwards. Then make the roof section as above but big enough to fit over your upstand with more angle or a return fold on the roof. You can fit a door style seal on this return both tidying this edge and leaving a neat line outside with a hidden seal. Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 Thanks Mike - this is the sort of info I need to hear.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daan Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Hammer form as mike described works, I had to do the fold for the rain gutter this way when I lowered my roof. Daan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 What are the risks of folding it "too sharp" ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 If to sharp it fatigues and can crack warming/doing it in the summer helps. This was 1.6mm from memory granted in a folder but your doing the same thing with wood. The door was hammer formed around a 25mm box section frame. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 If you were in the UK I'd say find a chap with a metal folder (I might know a man, in fact), even relatively standard industrial ones would do 1.8m folds in thin stuff quite happily... however I've no idea if you're near such civilisation or wood & hammers is going to be the way forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 Thanks Mike - that is really what this Dummy needs to see... @ FridgeFreezer : Thanks - that is the problem here. Liability etc. is a major problem for one offs and in general nobody want to touch this kind of projects. .... don't get me started on the hydraulics for the Cherry Picker...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 Could you get the work done over here. In one of Shackletons SOUP episodes he makes his own folder might be worth a look. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 Logistics & th pound would make that an expensive operation.. However, if all fails, it is an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Another option is to make an aluminium angle frame bolted/riveted and sealed in the corners. Then you just drop in a flat sheet seal and fix. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Are you required to use metal? Could you use fibreglass, or marine ply? Or a combination? Plastic with reinforced areas is also an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 Fibreglass is the last of the materials I'd like to use for this roof. Although I'm quite aware it could make the fabrication less difficult I'd like to use aluminium for several reasons. One is that I have had some very bad experiences with fibreglass in boats, cars and caravans... Obviously, using flat sheets bolted together is an option but only as a last resort - waterproofness is a good reason to try and make the "lid" in 1 piece... I have done some testing for DIY folding for a overhead radio console and so far not too bad... Thanks !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 (edited) Fibreglass is where I would probably go if it were mine but I'm in the trade. The down side to fibreglass in this application is you either need to make a temporary mould or you sheath a thin ply frame. Both are time consuming and require additional materials. A folded aluminium structure can be made strong and watertight relatively easily. It might be worth making a steel/aluminium frame then skinning it with sheet. That way you have something to attach hinges/gas springs to and allow you to stiffen the flat section to stop drumming. The skin could be glued on with PU adhesive to stop electrolysis and eliminate the need for fixings. Mike Edited March 5, 2019 by miketomcat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 Thanks !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 On 3/3/2019 at 9:22 PM, Arjan said: @ FridgeFreezer : Thanks - that is the problem here. Liability etc. is a major problem for one offs and in general nobody want to touch this kind of projects. I was thinking more of finding a local fabricator and paying some beer money (or should that be wine money?) for a quick go on their folder, hard to see how putting 4 folds in a sheet of ali could incur any great risks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 ".. hard to see how putting 4 folds in a sheet of ali could incur any great risks .." You and me don't..... However, here in France everything is different. 5 miles down the road there is a company who makes one of thing in fibreglass. As in : huge wales, statues, you name it, they'll make it so I assumed getting a shoe box made should be easy. Not really - not in this life... Oh well.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Do you get over to the UK much? I have a friendly sheet metal man.... always the potential to get it cut here and post/collect it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 Thank you for the kind offer. It seems that I'll be in the UK at the LATP event with the 88 Hybrid, other than that there are no Raid planned. Brexit will make it different taking goods across - and we're very busy this year. Work gets so much in the way of nice things... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Just let me know Arjan . Just now, Arjan said: Thank you for the kind offer. It seems that I'll be in the UK at the LATP event with the 88 Hybrid, other than that there are no Raid planned. Brexit will make it different taking goods across - and we're very busy this year. Work gets so much in the way of nice things... Doesn't it just Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Agreed. Does it have to be entirely metal? Could you do the edge with fibreglass, or ply reinforced fibreglass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 Obviously, many different materials could be used.. However, roof being aluminium the idea is that perhaps building the rest from aluminium, too, makes sort of sense.. I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Can't you anneal the ali first before making the bend? Should make it a lot easier and less prone to cracking too. Also, when contacting firms to make stuff, don't ever mention it's going to come near a vehicle. If they ask what it's for, say a roof for your shed or something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 I'll give that a try - it seems that different aluminum reacts differently to heat.. French don't care what it is for - they just don't want to know.. The French themselves complain about it, too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaghost Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 (edited) Hi Arjan What size do you need I have a piece of folded and welded aluminium ( obviously this is a total long shot ) measuring 1.2m x 1.8m x 100mm around 3mm thick see photo you can have it FOC the only problem being getting it to you if it is suitable I guess some sort of forum relay would need to happen although this is a moot point if sizes are no good Regards Stephen Might not be too long a shot just noticed the sizes you posted Edited March 5, 2019 by Stellaghost Addition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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