Mark one end of the line pivot and the other end wide step 2 cut a length of string with a loop at one end and the other end held at the pivot mark.
How to bend sheet metal into a cone.
You can find cone calculators online.
You will now have a circle of sheet metal with a cut from one side to the center.
I used aluminum sheet coil but you could use paper or any flat material.
Sheet metal cone calculator.
Video showing the processes involved in producing a steel cone.
When working with sheet metal one particularly useful piece of equipment is the brake.
The flat cone templates can be bent either by rolling the plate with a three roller bending machine or by press braking on a power press.
If your sheet metal is long ask a friend to stabilize the part hanging out from the form blocks so it doesn t affect the bend.
The most suitable bending method depends on the material plate thickness and the circumference of the small diameter.
Here is one way to make a cone from flat stock.
Next put your wooden or metal form blocks in the vice and clamp your sheet of metal between the forms.
It allows you to determine either the size of raw material needed or the number of gore sections to fit on your available material.
To bend sheet metal in a vice start by marking a line on the metal where you want to bend it.
Using the anchor point of your compass as a target and stopping point cut up to it in a straight line from any side.
Slice the circle to the middle.
Metal shops have brakes mounted at different angles with automated braking arms however it is possible to bend sheet metal at home without the use of a brake.
The curved steel cone calculator from chicago metal rolled products makes it easy to find the precise curved steel cone dimensions you need.
Both methods will be explained below.
It a job that requires a little skill and a lot of patience.