Topic: Tubing Bender

[bill440cars]

Anyone out there ever had any experience with a tubing bender like you might find at a place like Harbor Freight? I think they go for about $70-80 on sale. I am wondering if you could build exhaust pipes and frame parts (like hardtails, if a person had a mind to) or whatever. Even if you could use it to build exhaust pipes, I don't know if it would be worth the cost of the equipment and materials. Any thoughts.  Bill 

[ElCheapo]

Wrong tool. Those are meant to bend galvanized pipe 1 1/2 inch though 4" on the really good ones. You will not be able to bend rolled over mandrel tube steel (which is what you should be using), mainly because it lacks the correct shoes to keep the tube from collapsing.

[hahnda]

This info should help and confirms what Cheapo said, mostly.


http://www.chopperunderground.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14815&hl=tubing+bender



KEvin

[bill440cars]

        I should have known, it would have been too easy. If it would have worked and I could have gotten a buddy or 2 to go in with me--. Oh well, back to the drawing board (and ebay). Thanks for the info guys, that's why I posted my idea first before I took any action. Later on,  Bill

[ElCheapo]

If those tools had the right shoes for bending 7/8 and 1 inch tubing you would be in business. I could only hope 

Kevin you get an applaud...  You need a few 

[hahnda]

I have read that 1" DOM will work since the outside diameter of 3/4" pipe is 1.050". Just have to go slow and practice.

Something else to think about.
http://www.thefont.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bikes/tube_bender.htm


A real tubing bender will run you over $500 with one die. http://www.jd2.com

Kevin

[cbjunkie]

for someone with such a disturbing avatar you do good research...that guy is a minor genius!...i mean, that took some bloody vision, that did!

[hahnda]

No research. Just stuff that's already been tucked away in a corner of my brain and some help from a few bookmarks.

Kevin

[ElCheapo]

I have read that 1" DOM will work since the outside diameter of 3/4" pipe is 1.050". Just have to go slow and practice.

Something else to think about.
http://www.thefont.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bikes/tube_bender.htm


A real tubing bender will run you over $500 with one die. http://www.jd2.com

Kevin

Now that is pretty damn cool. whats more is that you can make it in several diameters with different drums. Once you have the whole bugger worked out you could even degree it at the most popular bends or set it up with a hard stop so you dont go past what you wanted.