How to Form Metal Splines
Metal spline is used as a part on various boats and automobiles and is formed out of sheet metal. These pieces are used in the drive shaft of automobiles. While it is most common to buy pieces of metal spline, it is also possible to form them on your own. You can form pieces of spline out of any size piece of sheet metal. If the spline on your vehicle is damaged or needs to be replaced you can make your own, simply by copying the one you want to replace. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Measure the damaged or old piece of spline that you are going to be replacing. The spline will come in various sizes depending on the type of automobile you find it in or how old it is. Run a tape measure along the length and width of the piece and record the measurements.
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2
Lay the piece of sheet metal you will be using for the metal spline down on a flat surface. Sheet metal comes in various sizes so pick a sheet that is close to the measurements of the spline so you do not have too much waste.
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3
Mark the sheet metal with a black marker where the cut will need to take place. Line up a T-square along the mark and draw a straight line across the entire piece so it can be cut to size. Cut along the line with a pair of tin snips, which cut just like scissors. Repeat the process for the other measurement.
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4
Bend the sheet metal to the desired form with a heat gun. Plug in the heat gun and hold it 4 inches from the surface of the sheet metal. Move it back and forth at the desired bend location to begin heating up the sheet metal. Most metal spline is in a circle and must be heated up so it can be bent to size.
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Move the heat gun back and forth until you can bend the metal by hand. Turn off the heat gun and bend the metal into the desired shape by hand, using gloves for protection, until it is the same as the metal spline it is replacing.
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