How do I put a half twist in a piece of thick metal

[psacustomcreations]

I have an idea for a bell stand that uses pieces of 1/4-1/2" thick metal that is 12-18" wide. The legs are about 5 feet tall while the top is 3-4 feet wide. I want to put a half twist or 180 degree rotation in the metal. This pic is an example of how I think it will look.

[Oldendum]

I don't think it's going to look like the drawing when you twist it if it's a straight piece. More like a twist drill. A bow tie shape might get some of that effect.

[psacustomcreations]

I have seen some videos of a piece of flat bar in a picket twister that seemed to work. Scaling up from a piece of 1/8"x 2" flat bar is a lot harder to imagine the tooling or forces

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[Oldendum]

At best you might come up with something like this. Guess it depends on the width to thickness ratio and the length. Still a LOT of force required with the dimensions you want.

[Meltedmetal]

Or a lot of heat. There must be a way to roll that spiral but you would probably have to build a custom machine to do it.

[zapster]

It's going to shrink as you twist.

But ya can't twist it anyway without some big azz machine .


...zap!

[psacustomcreations]

Yeah, it looks like this project will not happen with my tools

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[anickode]

Find a freshly imploded building and bring a torch.

[Oldendum]

For a one-off, weld one end to a post or i-beam in the ground. Weld the other end to a big wheel rim. Bolt that rim to the axle of a big dump truck, tractor or similar. Use low gear to twist.

[zapster]

For a one-off, weld one end to a post or i-beam in the ground. Weld the other end to a big wheel rim. Bolt that rim to the axle of a big dump truck, tractor or similar. Use low gear to twist.

OR snap a axle.

...zap!

[MinnesotaDave]

Looks interesting, if you were near me I'd say bring the steel out and we'd twist it up.

I've got enough junk laying around to make that twist work.

[shortfuse]

Get a rosebud and heat the center of your plate crossways about 12" wide to yellow hot. Before hand, figure out a way to secure one end, and get a couple of buddies and a 6-pak and twist the other end quickly while it's hot. Good idea to keep the rosebud on it and keep it yellow hot while twisting. How you hold the free end is up to you. Maybe stitch weld a bar to the free end for leverage when twisting then grind it off. The narrow heat area will allow for a short twist instead of it going the length of the plate. (use the 6-pak AFTER you make the twist....).

[psacustomcreations]

Thanks for the offer. The twist with a truck sounds interesting but potentially dangerous. Might have to have someone hold my beer first😊

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[storeman]

Try Kevin Caron (Sp?). He has done a lot of large twists for his art, though likely not with as acute turn as you are seeking. Probably much easier to achieve with something other than thick steel. Why thick?
Jerry

[Sandy]

weld it up with box tubing, face it with sheet?

[psacustomcreations]

Kevin does great work and I have followed him for several years.

I was thinking about one thicker piece for the looks, but am now thinking of trying to use thinner material and boxing it in like was just mentioned.