Hi all. Please bear with me on my unsophisticated terminology.
I want to take 20 gauge stainless strips measuring approximately 1 inch by 6 inches and bend them into roughly a "C" shape. The curve is not of a constant radius. Also, there needs to be a slight dome to the item. What I mean is that if you look at the "C" shape from the side, it is not flat but rather has a curvature which is regular and is elevated about .25 inches in the middle. If that is not clear, then think of a piece of steel which would fit to the surface of a 4 inch diameter ball.
I am looking for an efficient and economical way to do this. My thought is that I could have dies made for an arbor press and use that. Would that work or do you have a better idea? If using an arbor press: 1. Would a 1 ton capacity press be adequate? 2. Would I have to account for the material "springing back" toward its original shape when I have the dies made? 3. Somewhere I have read that working stainless with steel tools will make it prone to rusting. If I have dies made, should they also be made of stainless?
Any ideas and suggestions are appreciated
