How To Twist Thin Sheet Metal Into An Auger Shape

Mark your bend lines.

How to twist thin sheet metal into an auger shape.

The average hack requires at least one angled metal part and the best tool to make one is still the good ol press brake. The gripping jaws are each attached to a carriage that is pulled by pneumatic or hydraulic force to stretch the sheet. I think an auger screw is going to fall into the second category. Read on as we show you some basic techniques you can use to reshape and shape your metals from the comfort of your own home with basic metal shaping handtools.

Most highly complex shapes that are actually formed out of sheet metal can be created using lofted bends but often the trick to creating the shape lies in what you use for the profiles. Other shapes such as a sphere will require actually stretching or compressing the plate in areas to form the shape. The feature is limited to only 2 profiles and no guide curves so look for opportunities to put most of the complexity into the profiles. Stretch forming is performed on a stretch press in which a piece of sheet metal is securely gripped along its edges by gripping jaws.

To prevent this make a small depression in the metal at your drilling mark using a pointed punch center punch and a hammer. All you need is a small dimple that the tip of the drill bit can rest in. Now that you know your bend allowance take your protractor and draw a clear line with your marker across the point at which you will bend your sheet metal. You won t know the exact shape to cut without some trial and error and it would depend on the forming process as well.

It will help keep the bit on track until it starts to cut the hole. A small hard nail will work in a pinch.