Tubing bender question

[GRNT]

Alright all you metal gurus and cage builders.
I am going to order a tubing bender and I need to know what your advice is for the dies to use.
I will order a 1.5" first but do I want a 6.5 or a 5.5 clr?
Are there any other dies that you guys are using for general cage work?
GRNT

[Beezil]

the main reason why different centerline radii are offered in tooling is to control tubing failure. The thinner the wall of the tube, the larger the radius needs to be to reduce tubing failure *without a mandrel*. compression type dies will aid in reducing tubing failure. When I say "tubing failure" I am speaking of the wrinkling of the inner wall of the bend. wrinkling greatly weakens the strength of the bend.

however, since you are most likely going to be using .120 wall, you won't have to worry about tube failure on either of those radii.....

so choose the radius that will be easier for you to work with.

If .120 wall is the only thing you will bend, go 5.5.....

if you plan to bend other things in say .060 or .074 wall, go 6.5

hope this helps.

[GRNT]

Thanks Beezil,
Mr. Hinkley AKA- doesn't know what to do with himself now,- suggested that I get a 4.5clr die since it will take the minimum.095 wall tubing and with the 4.5 that I would be able to make tighter bends in order to get it into tighter places to make it easier for installation etc of the different things that may be made with it. .120 wall will be the minimum that I will ever use I'm sure.
Do you have any opinion on that.
Thanks for the feedback.

[Edited to delete unprovoked personal attack. Moderator]

:confused1
GRNT

[MaXJohnson]

Go 1 3/4" or go home :moon:

I don't understand why all you guys like that wimpy 1 1/2" tube. I think 1 3/4" is the perfect size.

A wider bend radius is stronger. Less stretch on the outer part of the bend and less mechanical leverage on the corner. A tight radius is good for packaging and looks.

[Willis]

GRNT,

Do you have any machine shop buddies? The reason I ask is that there is a thread on PBB ( http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=185940 ) that describes how to build your own bender and gives dimensions for the bender arms.

Here's the diagrams for the arms:
http://www.exm.netfirms.com/Bender/benderarm1.JPG
http://www.exm.netfirms.com/Bender/benderarm2.JPG

It's said to have the holes machined 1/64th over so your pins fit (a 1" pin will not fit in a 1" hole). If you have the arms machined, you can buy the pins or have them made from tool steel, buy your die from JD2 or Pro-Tools (I wanted to have a set made but was told they are a real PITA to make), and you could buy the JD2 manual arm to use with it to keep $$ down, or go full hydro like in the link. I am probably going to make one with an air over hydro ram. It will have to be repined to make bends over about 50*, but that's no problem. Repining only takes a few seconds.

Steve

[Grant]

Mil,
I have got the JD2 model 4, and have 1.25, 1.5 and 1.75 dies, all in 5.5 radius. I am not sure if JD2 offers those sizes in less than 5.5 radius. Maybe.

Even with 5.5" packaging some stuff can be a problem, so I would not want to got to 6.5". 1.75" is good for the main hoop on most cages, but almost everything else is 1.5", mostly .120 wall, but I have gone to .095 wall for some diagnals. No eveidence of crimping the side walls.

HTH

Grant

[FarmerMatt]

Mil,
I'm using a Pro Tools one shot hyd. bender... I love that thing. I've got die's for 1.75", 1.5", & 1". All are the tightest radius I could get. I chose to use the tight radius dies because it helps make things fit better. Strength issue can & should be dealt with in design.

Matt

[Beezil]

Thanks Beezil,
Mr. Hinkley AKA- doesn't know what to do with himself now,-----
Do you have any opinion on that?


yes I do.

I think Hinkley is totally worthless.

he is a waste of my time and your time.

[Eagle]

yes I do.

I think Hinkley is totally worthless.

he is a waste of my time and your time.

Hmmm ...

He may be a waste of your time, but after selling ORGS to JKS I'd guess he's probably worth more, not worthless :)
:cheers:

[Beezil]

I'm sure he had to sell the bizz to keep up with his wife's miami lifestyle.

[CRASH]

Ditto to :farmer: boy and others. URF has 4.5" CLR 1.5" dies, and 5.5" CLR 1.75" dies.

CRASH