Pipe bender

After I started using aviation snips stayed away from regular snips. Now I use offset aviation snips to the max.

This shows offset snips. I don't have any slang terms.
http://doityourself.com/store/6869457.htm

[morpheus]

how about that I learned something today. my whole life i've called the two tools on the bottom tin snips and the one at the top I call Giant Scissors ... actually even home depot/lowe's/sears call them tin snips not aviation shears

- jack

Originally posted by DocSavage
Thanks for all the tips - I will post some pictures after I make a few!

For another novice question - what are aviation shears in relation to tin snips...

Doc, here is a picture of both, Tin Snips also called bulldogs, are at the top. The bottom has aviation snips, also called dutchman's. Notice they have blades that are opposite, for cutting curves in different directions. These work good for coping toprail.

I just noticed that the previous picture didn't have the gates in yet, so here is another shot I just took now.

[DocSavage]

Thanks for all the tips - I will post some pictures after I make a few!

For another novice question - what are aviation shears in relation to tin snips...

here it is with the roof on.

Patio awning/cover

Here is the patio cover skeleton where I used chain link fence toprail. No copes here, tho.

Originally posted by 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?

Yeah, Sharpe's they write on the stuff soapstone won't write on. For regular steel or rusty stuff I use soapstone.

[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.

[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!

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.

[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?

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!

[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

[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.