How to Bend a Diamond Plate

Diamond plate is a highly polished, textured, aluminum plate that is usually used in garage applications. It is named for the pattern of raised strikes in the surface. The standard thickness of a sheet of diamond plate is 1/8 inch, although there are sheets as thick as 3/4 inch. Standard sheets of diamond plate aluminum can be bent by hand with the help of heat applied to the point of the bend. Thicker pieces need to be bent with an industrial metal brake.

Work table (heavy, flame-resistant)
Vice
Acetylene torch

Instructions

- 1
  Set the aluminum diamond plate in the vice, back side facing forward.
- 2
  Tighten the vice by spinning the screw mechanism. Clamp it in as tightly as possible.
- 3
  Light the acetylene torch and heat the length of the bent point on the diamond plate. Heat until it is glowing orange; approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
- 4
  Grab the top of the aluminum plate and pull it down until the plate has the bend desired. The aluminum will start to cool off immediately and become harder to bend. If you do not complete the entire bend before the metal stiffens, reheat it and pull it down again.

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