The Murphy Builders Site

Is Murphy the best source for FUS-12 Witches Hat ?? ... just need a 4' stick, anyone have extra they can part with or know a good source ??

I am too would like to get some of that material. Any local source in the US?

Two ways to get it.. order from Murphy or bend it up yourself from sheet stock. It's not a common part that anyone else is making/using, it's a part Murphy bends up specifically for it's fleet of a/c and floats.

Wayne's right. It's easy to bend up a section. Spruce also sells some if I recall.

ACS material is 20K, and forming such without a press-brake not so easy. But I'll be glad to take a lesson as to how it can be done with a folding apron brake.

Agree on the need for a press break ... just remembered MFC has a huge press brake that could make this stuff ... maybe Keith has some. If not, I'll go direct via email to Murphy. Regardless, think a close reproduction of the actual FUS-12 could be done on an apron brake ... with a lot of part flipping and sequential partial bends ... but getting the correct on-center bends would be tough. Appreciate the feedback ... thanks. Bob A.

Aside from the entertainment value my ignorance may have provided ... while a press brake can certainly make them, its not required. They can be made fairly easily on a pan or box brake. With the material thickness in hand, its a matter choosing the right fingers, looking up the correct finger offset based on the desired bend radius and material thickness ... and then bending. Now I just need to find a brake ... :) Cheers, Bob A.

I have a homemade brake, built from plans provided by Zenair when I built my CH-300 25 years (ouch) ago. I can, and have, formed the edge bends, and tomorrow I will trot down to the local fab shop and see if they can form the center bend. Please ignore the fancy handle on the brake. Some things just never seem to get finished.

Tim Hickey.

You can make these with a regular brake. Bend the center section first. Look at this photo: The stiffeners under my floor are nothing but small W hat.