Pipe bender

[R. Nelson]

Here is tool I find very useful, I have used it to form the frames on tree stands, the bumper for my Trooper, etc. I got it from Harbor Freight on sale for 69 bucks, it will bend up to 2 inch pipe and has a 12 ton capacity.

[Brent]

I have considered buying this very pipe bender, but my understanding is that mild steel tubing will tend to kink pretty easily. It is promoted as a pipe bender and not a tubing bender. What sizes of tubing have you bent and how great an angle?

I have also heard of packing sand into the tubing to be bent so to help prevent kinks. Ever try this?

Brent

[R. Nelson]

bender

Originally posted by Brent
I have considered buying this very pipe bender, but my understanding is that mild steel tubing will tend to kink pretty easily. It is promoted as a pipe bender and not a tubing bender. What sizes of tubing have you bent and how great an angle?

I have also heard of packing sand into the tubing to be bent so to help prevent kinks. Ever try this?

Brent I used it to bend the frame on the ladder stand{pictured in this forum} which is made from fence/awning railing, I did make two seperate bends to get the desired result, but was happy. I have not tried the sand, but will. THANKS

[Brent]

I have seen your mobile ladder post. Looks like the bends were smooth and professional. I also saw you used 1 3/8" fence post material, which would be pipe I believe. Ever try tubing with this bender?

I believe the main reason tubing could kink more easily in this bender is because the dies are sized for the I.D. of pipe and tubing uses O.D. for sizing. I am wondering if you have had and tubing experience/success or if the dies could be modified for tubing? Any thoughts?

Brent

[Roger]

This says it better than I could.

http://209.238.153.119/benderFAQ.html

Above web page has links to Williams Low Buck Tools products. Many other web sites have tube benders that might fit your needs better.

Can roll tube to more gental curve when sharp bend isn't required. Go to metalworking.com drop box using link. See how to construct a metal tube/bar roller in only 33 links starting with "Roller 0 Explaination.txt" .

http://metalworking.com/DropBox/_2001_retired_files/

[Brent]

Thanks Roger, that page is what caused me to not purchase a pipe bender to bend tubing. Just wanted to know if anybody has found a way to get one to work with tubing or what sort of results to expect if I go that way. I have seen some very creative pictures and posts from others here, perhaps someone has found a solution over the price of a true tubing bender.

Brent

[morpheus]

I have a JD2 bender (http://www.jd2.com) for bending tubing on rollcages. I know of people who have had good luck with the harbor freight pipe benders on tubing. Alot seem to take a piece of the tubing they're bending and somehow attach it to the roller of the HF bender. Not sure exactly how they do that, but it seems to make it so the tubing doesn't kink. Others say they use tubing that has an od closer to the dimensions of the HF dies. Most of the people I know who've done this used HREW tubing if that makes a difference to you.

If you go to this bbs: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/ and search in the general 4x4 forum there are many discussions about tubing benders. Be leary of posting questions on that bbs without searching though and all newbies (people with less than 100 posts will be flamed and flamed hard)

- jack

[DocSavage]

I just discovered this forum and am quite excited... I have been taking welding at our local community college because my wife has a bunch of projects for me at our ranch!


One of the things she wants is a bunch of gates. I have been looking around for the best stuff to make them out of and was wondering what you guys mean when talking about 1 3/8" fence post material - is this a home depot item?

Do you guys tend to fish mouth the pipe to fit it up and is the easiest way with a grinder or are there other suggestions...

Thanks for helping this new guy out.

Andy

[Dan]

Originally posted by DocSavage
I just discovered this forum and am quite excited... I have been taking welding at our local community college because my wife has a bunch of projects for me at our ranch!


One of the things she wants is a bunch of gates. I have been looking around for the best stuff to make them out of and was wondering what you guys mean when talking about 1 3/8" fence post material - is this a home depot item?

Do you guys tend to fish mouth the pipe to fit it up and is the easiest way with a grinder or are there other suggestions...

Thanks for helping this new guy out.

Andy

Andy
there is a special jig available for fishmouthing this pipe with, it uses a hole saw for cutting the contour. You can use it on your drill press or with a corded drill. I know Harbor freight has a version of it. Plus, in a welding book I have they state that a company named ProTools manufactures them.

[morpheus]

Do you guys tend to fish mouth the pipe to fit it up and is the easiest way with a grinder or are there other suggestions...

a grinder or chopsaw will work pretty good. I have one of these from harbor freight .... it works good for $29. they seem to have gone up to $39 now.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42324

several other companies make tubing notchers around 179-200
(way overpriced to me) but they are very nice pieces. the super nice ones also accept round and square tubing. here's an example of a fancy one. several different companies sell this one with their name on it:

http://www.jd2.com/TN-100.htm

good luck.

- jack

[Guest]

I've made a many gates with the toprail available from home depot, also awnings or patio covers that go all around my house.
You call it fishmouthing, I have learned to call it coping. To cope that top rail, aviation snips work real good. First you need a template. Here's how to make it.

cut a short length about 6 inches of the pipe you will be coping. Cope it to fit perfectly, however you want to do it. i.e. grind, or whatever. Once you get it perfect, take a file folder and wrap it carefully around the pipe, not too tight, tho, and tape it to make a cylinder. then tap the edge of the cope with a ball peen to cut the template. The template should be about 4 inches long, and should slide easily along the pipe. Mark your pipe with a laundry marker and cut it out with aviation snips. Now you can use it for several copes and get it right every time!

[Royal Fe]

Sweet trick Rocky D. Is the laundry marker the same thing as a Sharpe? Is that what you use to layout your steel? I noticed a bunch of pens in your box, is that the markers?

[Roger]

I have used about the same trick to make cope pattern but I used plastic from 2L soft dirink bottle. Wraped plastic strip around original metal tube cope, tape plastic cylinder to hold shape and transfered cope to plastic with sharp scribe. Cut out plastic patern cope with small scissor. Use saw or snips to ruff out metal cope, then grind. I have used die grinders and right angle disc grinder. Rt angle disk grinder works better if bench mounted. Easy to make grinder bench mount with steel and hose clamps. (at least 2 hose clamps)

I collect cheap 4.5 disc grinders so each can be dedicated for different use. If buying Made in China Rt angle disc grinder try to get one with US spindle thread. Close looking isn't good enough. Makes using cup wire brushes much easier. Have also welded metric nut to US nut so it will work with POS grinder. Yes, I also have US made tools.

[shortarc]

Ok here's one I've used to cope 1" EMT when making a frame for camo. on a friends duck boat. I had an old bench grinder wheel and with a wheel dresser rounded the corners until I had it right, then just push the EMT against the wheel until it's got the right curve. Be carefull and dont breathe the smoke!

[R. Nelson]

projects

Originally posted by DocSavage
I just discovered this forum and am quite excited... I have been taking welding at our local community college because my wife has a bunch of projects for me at our ranch!


One of the things she wants is a bunch of gates. I have been looking around for the best stuff to make them out of and was wondering what you guys mean when talking about 1 3/8" fence post material - is this a home depot item?

Do you guys tend to fish mouth the pipe to fit it up and is the easiest way with a grinder or are there other suggestions...

Thanks for helping this new guy out.

Andy

Andy, the material I use is the top ral portion like on chain link fences, you can get it at Home Depot and has a male end to fit into the adjacent rail.