ATM Aluminum instead of ebony star for side bearings

[Bob Prabowo <BOB@bahana.co.id>]

Hi guys,

I'm going to use aluminum bar on my side bearings, instead of laminate
the bearings with ebony star. This one is for my briefcase scope. The
bar is about 1" wide and 1/8" thick, the bearings will be made of
plywood. 

I need some advice from you guys on how to attach the bar to the
bearing. Should I use glue or will screws work better? How do I maintain
the arc form? Will it deform later?
Does the bar have to be bent first before attaching it to the bearings? 
How do you bend it? heat it slowly and then bend it? Will it work if I
heat it with flame from, say, a stove? 

Thank in advance,
Bob P. Sumitro
Jakarta, Indonesia

visit my still-under-construction astronomy and telescope making page:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/2670/