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Guide to making metal tube (not pipe) bender at home
MikeR - 1/1/11 at 04:50 PM

Guys,

This comes up once a while and whilst looking up making a sheet metal bending brake thingy i came across this. He reconmends using a lathe to make a couple of bits, but gives details and suggestions on how the same parts can be made in a pillar drill.

http://www.metalwebnews.com/manuals/pipebend-machine.pdf

Love to hear somones results making this.

[Edited on 1/1/11 by MikeR]


Bluemoon - 1/1/11 at 05:27 PM

Looks like fun, I think the only issue will be if you want to bend thick wall tube, for say wishbones (not sure how thick thick is though he may say) you might need better formers, i.e. solid steel..

Dan


MakeEverything - 1/1/11 at 05:33 PM

Im going to make a manual version using the hydraulic dies and rollers. Itll look exactly the same when its finished, but with proper formers.


Humbug - 1/1/11 at 05:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
Guys,

This comes up once a while and whilst looking up making a sheet metal bending brake thingy i came across this. He reconmends using a lathe to make a couple of bits, but gives details and suggestions on how the same parts can be made in a pillar drill.

http://www.metalwebnews.com/manuals/pipebend-machine.pdf

Love to hear somones results making this.

[Edited on 1/1/11 by MikeR]


Why do you say it is Guide to making metal tube (not pipe) bender? The guide itself says it is for a pipe bending machine...

Also, I think I could help if anyone needs a supply for quenching the case hardened steel (Page 8)


MikeR - 1/1/11 at 08:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Humbug

Why do you say it is Guide to making metal tube (not pipe) bender? The guide itself says it is for a pipe bending machine...




I appreciate that, but wanted to differentiate it on the front page from the pipe benders & as it did thin wall + you make the formers yourself it can do tube.


interestedparty - 1/1/11 at 10:36 PM

Basically the author is going aagainst convention by describing it as a pipe bending machine. Pipe (usually) means material for carrying fluids, and is usually measured buy its inside diameter, whereas tube is measured by its outside diameter and is structural


gazza285 - 1/1/11 at 11:10 PM

Those instructions are no good for you lot, it shows pictures of proper welding, not MIG


907 - 2/1/11 at 07:41 AM

Mmmm, I have doubts about using a pillar drill to make the formers
but for anyone contemplating making steel formers on a lathe then
the pic below may help.

Turning the allen key moves the cutting tip in an arc. It works well.

HTH
Paul G

lathe tool
lathe tool


John Bonnett - 2/1/11 at 11:23 AM

Paul a really good idea. Can you show a detail pic showing how the tool is gripped in the bolt.

Many thanks

John


907 - 2/1/11 at 03:03 PM

An M8 grub screw down the centre of the M12 allen screw does the trick John.

Cheers,
Paul G

lathe tool exploded view
lathe tool exploded view


John Bonnett - 2/1/11 at 06:35 PM

All is now clear Paul, thank you,

John


ruudbeckers - 2/1/11 at 07:17 PM

For a tube/pipe bender also have a look here:

Instructions

Drawings

It is a similar bender to the JD2 model III bender or the Pro-Tools model 105 bender.

I believe you can also use the forms of these benders but you can also make your own forms. You could use a ball turning attachment on a lathe to make one of these, for example this one: Ball turning attachment

[Edited on 2/1/11 by ruudbeckers]


John Bonnett - 3/1/11 at 01:03 PM

A really good and useful post Ruud, thank you

John