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Rainbow Aviation has a YouTube video on Low Cost Hydroforming . Basically, you make a wooden form and use a hydraulic press to press the aluminum sheet down over the form with a thick rubber sheet between the press and the aluminum. I know you said you don't have a press, but surely you could find someone with one that you could use apparently the pressing procedure is the easiest/quickest part of the whole process! I bought a cheapo HF press years ago, and like many other tools, found numerous uses for it such as pressing bearings, breaking tires loose from rims on small wheels, pushing punches through rubber for clean-cut holes (works great for the cut-outs in the pads for Zenith landing gear!), etc. I have zero experience with hydroforming - I suspect a dome is more difficult than bending a simple flange as in a rib? - and wonder if the 6061T6 would have to be annealed? - and would that affect the ability to polish it afterwards? Hope someone can help you out who has been there/done that! Interesting topic! Sure would be nice if you buy one "off the shelf!"
John
N750A
If I had a hydraulic press I would try it but I don't. I'm also suffering from a severe case of "builder burnout". I "finished" my plane 8 years ago but it seems the maintenance and repairs never end.
I hated building the plane and I hate, even more, working on it.
I love to fly but I'd rather stick a fork in my eye than work on it..
I'm just looking for the simplist, shortest way to get where I need to be.
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