Bending 19...25mm steel tube with a hydraulic press?

[skotl]

As title I need to put 30 and 45degree bends in some steel tube (still to be purchased, around 19-25mm) and I know the cheapie Screwfix pipe benders are only intended to work on copper tube.

I do have one of these...

Can you buy (or make!) formers that could be used in a press to bend tube?

Failing that can anyone point me in the direction of something that won't cost me some arms and legs (less than £100 ideally)?

 

[maroon]

Yeah. You can get things. I think they call them press dies.

 

[123hotchef]

depending on the wall thickness the the screwfix one may suffice

 

[skotl]

depending on the wall thickness the the screwfix one may suffice

Really - huh... there's no reason for it to have particularly thick walls so maybe this would work...

 

[Agroshield]

Have a look at Sealey PBS99 and turn the picture upside down. Looks a bit like your press.

This says it comes as standard with 20mm and 25mm dies: https://www.expresstools.co.uk/sealey-pbs99-10-12ton-hydraulic-349682.html
This is the price for a 25mm die as a spare part: https://www.ccw-tools.com/Sealey-PBS99/14V2.11---1-BENDING-DIE__p-38170.aspx
I was unable to find the 20mm die as a spare part, but price should be comparable.

You would have to skew the bottom rollers to clear the press uprights.

Edit: found Sealey's own list price on the formers:

16tonne Hydraulic Pipe Bender | PBS99/14 | 1 year Warranty | Sealey

Floor standing pipe bender with fabricated steel chassis and heavy-duty 16tonne hydraulics with integral pump and reservoir. Fitted with externally mounted return springs. Suitable for bending gas and air pipe from Ø15mm up to Ø75mm(3"). Bends up to 180° (3 x 60° bends).

www.sealey.co.uk

 

[skotl]

Have a look at Sealey PBS99 and turn the picture upside down. Looks a bit like your press.

This says it comes as standard with 20mm and 25mm dies: https://www.expresstools.co.uk/sealey-pbs99-10-12ton-hydraulic-349682.html
This is the price for a 25mm die as a spare part: https://www.ccw-tools.com/Sealey-PBS99/14V2.11---1-BENDING-DIE__p-38170.aspx
I was unable to find the 20mm die as a spare part, but price should be comparable.

You would have to skew the bottom rollers to clear the press uprights.

Nice - thanks! Looks like they have a variety of sizes so I'll go back to the tube now, get what I need and then buy the appropriate die.

 

[tom2207]

you still may have to make the other half of the former to stop the pipe collapsing ,, again sand may help.

 

[123hotchef]

Really - huh... there's no reason for it to have particularly thick walls so maybe this would work...

i reakon so

 

[skotl]

And, of course, I could always cut it and weld it

Thanks for the suggestions - I have the beginning of a plan creeping into my dim brain...

 

[GRW]

I was musing the other day about whether I could make my own compact bench (or vice?) mount/standing Bearing Press, and similar thoughts occurred, I.e. could the same frame and bottle-jack gubbins also multi-purpose to maybe bend exhaust pipe and put 90-deg angle folds in steel, by adding different tooling
Of course, musing about it is as far as I've got

 

[maroon]

I was musing the other day about whether I could make my own compact bench (or vice?) mount/standing Bearing Press, and similar thoughts occurred, I.e. could the same frame and bottle-jack gubbins also multi-purpose to maybe bend exhaust pipe and put 90-deg angle folds in steel, by adding different tooling
Of course, musing about it is as far as I've got

Putting folds in steel depends on the length. You only have one point of push.
I found the easiest way is with two vices (same type) and 2 long lengths of angle (5mm) and pack the back of the vices to spread the pressure. (like making a big vice with two handles) lock it in. Tw4t with a hammer to fold it over.

Or you could buy a big folder. But Where's the fun in that.

Some grooved clamp on rollers would be ideal for doing tube. As an addition to forming a die.

 

[James1979]

As title I need to put 30 and 45degree bends in some steel tube (still to be purchased, around 19-25mm) and I know the cheapie Screwfix pipe benders are only intended to work on copper tube.

I do have one of these...

View attachment 374883

Can you buy (or make!) formers that could be used in a press to bend tube?

Failing that can anyone point me in the direction of something that won't cost me some arms and legs (less than £100 ideally)?

Is it for a one off or an ongoing job?

 

[GRW]

Putting folds in steel depends on the length. You only have one point of push.
I found the easiest way is with two vices (same type) and 2 long lengths of angle (5mm) and pack the back of the vices to spread the pressure. (like making a big vice with two handles) lock it in. Tw4t with a hammer to fold it over.

Or you could buy a big folder. But Where's the fun in that.

Haha! Indeed!
Actually I have a small folder - I made it as a project/learning activity when I got my first welder (not so long ago) - it'll fold about 360mm wide, and cope with 1.2mm at a push.

I clamp it in my Record 35P which is on a mobile tripod Stand (another learning piece).
So, I don't actually need that aspect... it was more the thought process that these activities use the same basic principle, so why can't one frame & jack machine be more than just a bearing press?

 

[skotl]

Is it for a one off or an ongoing job?

One off (which is why more cheap == more better!)

 

[maroon]

I clamp it in my Record 35P which is on a mobile tripod Stand (another learning piece).
So, I don't actually need that aspect... it was more the thought process that these activities use the same basic principle, so why can't one frame & jack machine be more than just a bearing press?

I like that contraption, you done well there. Looks spot on. I still use hammers instead of levering. Kind of use a scaffold bar for the first few bangs (the even hammer) then I'll run down the edge with a leather one just clamped in two big bits of angle. Kind of set in my ways. An " If it works why change kinda thing..."

 

[GRW]

I like that contraption, you done well there. Looks spot on. I still use hammers instead of levering. Kind of use a scaffold bar for the first few bangs (the even hammer) then I'll run down the edge with a leather one just clamped in two big bits of angle. Kind of set in my ways. An " If it works why change kinda thing..."

Cheers - I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out, and it was a good exercise working out how to make it. Basically it's bits of angle-iron, shouldered bolts cut down and welded in as the pivots on the angle-iron moving/folding blade part, and end-plates drilled to accept the pivots.
Extra bracing in the angle-iron to minimise flex under load.
Handles are solid bar with bolts welded on (I didn't have an M14 Die), and M14 nuts welded on to the pivoting blade to screw the handles into in different positions for leverage as required.
In essence not that different to your "2 lengths of angle-iron & t*@t it" approach really

 

[jimbo84]

Depending on the wall thickness have a look for a used conduit bender. The 20mm former I imagine would be ok for the 19mm and then a 25mm former for the 25.

 

[James1979]

One off (which is why more cheap == more better!)

Y’all got PM

 

[GRW]

Hydraulic Pipe Bender Tube Bending Manual Heavy Duty Exhaust Pipe Tubing Machine | eBay

1、The moulds of the pipe bender are all made of ductile cast iron, which has high strength, good toughness and plasticity, and is stronger and stronger than ordinary gray cast iron. 2、Single plunger design, convenient and easy.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[500e]

Seems v cheep if the formers are with it use and sell may be a profit
Have lined formers with alloy to change size at a push