I am refurbishing the roof of my 1972' VW Type 2 with a Devon pop top roof. The pop top roof is in various sections, an outer thick metal frame that has a curved profile, a centre flat sheet of aluminium and then an aluminium 'Z' frame section underneath the flat sheet to give it shape and support. The 'Z' section cross members have a slight curve to them to give it the convex shape to that the rain runs off and doesn't pool on the top.
The frame cross members seem a little out of shape and have probably also sagged reducing the curvature of the roof sheet. It also means the sheet can then also concave in between the cross members and not hold the shape it should. I would like to build and replicate the frame in slightly thicker aluminium section and give the cross members a fractionally greater curve to ensure it hold the curved shape.
I am currently staying in Plymouth and wondering how I go about creating this. The straight pieces are simple and I can cut and rivet them together, as the original one is now. How do I manage to bend accurate curves into the cross member pieces. How would a professional fabrication place do it, with what machine? The thicker outer frame has the correct shape and curve to it for that to be used as a guide. What sort of fabrication or metal place do you think could do this and help me?
Any suggestions or recommendations
thanks
The frame cross members seem a little out of shape and have probably also sagged reducing the curvature of the roof sheet. It also means the sheet can then also concave in between the cross members and not hold the shape it should. I would like to build and replicate the frame in slightly thicker aluminium section and give the cross members a fractionally greater curve to ensure it hold the curved shape.
I am currently staying in Plymouth and wondering how I go about creating this. The straight pieces are simple and I can cut and rivet them together, as the original one is now. How do I manage to bend accurate curves into the cross member pieces. How would a professional fabrication place do it, with what machine? The thicker outer frame has the correct shape and curve to it for that to be used as a guide. What sort of fabrication or metal place do you think could do this and help me?
Any suggestions or recommendations
thanks