which tube bender

[breezer]

Hi all,

I'm wanting a tube bender which will bend say 10-12mm mild steel rod into a shape sort of like this:
____________
(____________)

with the distance between the two parallels about 3.5 - 4"

I'd also like to be able to bend thin diameter, thin walled tube

Can anyone recommend anything. It would only be general DIY use, not 24/7 industrial so price is obviously a factor.

Thanks all

Jim

 

[Mikey D]

you "might" be able to do that with a 15mm copper pipe bender ,(hilmore type) you will have to hold it securely in a vice and swing on the other end . thats the cheapest way i can think of
cheers mike

 

[breezer]

Cheers Mikey.

Any advance on "might" anyone?

Jim

 

[kingkenny]

only trouble with a copper bender is you can't pull 180 bends,the former falls well short of 180.

 

[madkayaker]

conduit bender would be my first chiose mainly as i have one

 

[breezer]

Cheers.

When I say price is a factor I'm thinking I don't want to (can't afford to) spend in excess of £100

If that helps you any?

 

[madkayaker]

two blocks of wood with suitable channel cut in it and big hammer then

 

[breezer]

I'm wondering about the hydraulic type with the bottle jack?

 

[Blackjack]

I'm wondering about the hydraulic type with the bottle jack?

Totally pointless for what you want to do, and won't do 180 bends either.

Just build something like this...

 

[Chipper]

What about either as above or a bending fork, as discussed on here recently? 10-12 should bend OK without need for a bender, I did some 11.something rod by hand last night in the vice.

 

[breezer]

That's REALLY helpful Thanks!

I presume if I wanted a larger diameter 180 degree bend I'd need a larger roller & smaller former?

What's a bending fork?

Cheers

Jim

 

[JayRS4]

Ive got one exactly like Blackjack decribes, with several former sizes, its perfect for the smaller stuff. I also think youd get away with one of those copper pipe benders like this http://www.tradecounterdirect.com/prodimages/rothenberger-heavy-pipe-ben.jpg (just the first one that came up on google) i`ve used one for the same thing, the radius should be about right for what you want.

 

[Blackjack]

That's REALLY helpful Thanks!

I presume if I wanted a larger diameter 180 degree bend I'd need a larger roller & smaller former?

What's a bending fork?

Cheers

Jim

Nah, you'd need a larger former (bigger wooden circle) and redrill the handle to move the roller to suit.