Bending tubes help please

[oceanobsession]

Hello can anyone help me with tube bending or would it be pipe bending.
i would like to bend stainless steel tube or pipe to make things for boats
like dive bottle racks etc. ive got a large gap bed lathe and welders piller drill.
ive seen this (http://www.butlersheetmetal.com/tinbasherblog/diy-tube-bender_519.html). which seems to do the job but im sure bending stainless
would be harder. the size of tube for starters would be 1 1/4 what type of
tube/ pipe wall thickness would i have to use. i also have the 20 ton jack in
the garage for use same as in pic rolling the die up the former seems the best
design that way you are not dragging the tube/pipe up the former. pro tools
supplies the dies formers but i did think about turning one up and milling the
former which i could get done its mainly 90% bends that i would be using
would i have to use seemless pipe/tube any help comments and where to buy
would be a great help this link looks helpfull aswell(http://www.gottrikes.com/Tube_Bender.htm)

cheers ocean

 

[Shox Dr]

I built a Tube bender based on the Got trikes plans. I only have one die (1.125") at the mo but it is capable of bending upto 2.5"

Basically I took the measurements and recreated a Protools style bender so I could break it down for easy storage. It will bend over 90degrees in one push. And forms a very nice bend too.

Don't bother with the cheap machine mart etc etc type pipe benders they don't work on thin gauge tube.

 

[wyn]

Nice work there, Shox Dr.

Where did you get hold of the hydraulic pump. Could use something like that for future projects.

 

[Shox Dr]

I used to work for a Vehicle converters, building Mini Buses, and patient carriers etc Only cost me 20quid brand new as it was obsolete stock. The down sides are you have to keep a 12v battery charged. and it hasn't got a very high Max PSI @ 2200psi, so you need a large bore ram 80/40.

I have been looking for a mains powered system but they are either 3phase, too large, or just too damn expensive.

 

[aero]

I Have a JD2 machine with 1 1/8" and 7/8" dies. Manual ratchet pull, but I'd like a hydraulic kit one day.

Not the best picture of it

I have a several formers for a record bender for sale 35-15mm OD I think

 

[wyn]

Shox Dr...........I have been having a look at this supplier, but they don't show prices. I also have a pump and controls that used to open a crusher which was FOC, so probably get that up and running instead.
Just need to sort a motor and make an oil tank.

 

[Shox Dr]

wyn, just make sure you work out the tonnage you require and get the correct size ram. The ram I have was off a truck used for steering, it didn't cost me anything, so beggars can't be choosy. lol The eyelet had snapped off, and supplied with 2200psi it produces 2tons of pressure. Depending on you build that may to be enough.

Interestingly I spoke to the boss at Pro Tools, (a real nice bloke) who said the only reason they supply 10ton rams is they are cheaper than weaker units. He told me that it only took 2.5ton to bend 2" with a Protools bender


The whole build cost me less than 170quid inc the 1.125" die

 

[wyn]

Looks good for £170.

I've got a couple of rams about, off agricultural stuff, which again cost nothing so will probably use them.

 

[Shox Dr]

ey it's not bad is it.

I even got the flight case off my boss, free (cost him £150) as his Remote Helicopter wouldn't fit in it and he couldn't be arsed to sent it back.

 

[Blackjack]

The only sure fire, 100%, way to bend stainless tube, is a mandrel bender.

That's not to say that you can't do it with a compression bender, It's just a bit hit and miss.

Sometimes it's all hits, sometimes it's all misses. More often the latter.

 

[aidank]

have an Inder pipe bender, bit older than this one

http://www.inderindia.com/main1.htm

it works grand, but you must have good quality pipe to bend i.e. 1.5" brown band kinks like sweet papers, the 1.25 inch blue band is good stuff though, don't know about stainless

does someone know a cure to stop the 1.5" brown band bending, the brown band is ideal for gates, cheaper than the blue band

 

[Shox Dr]

Its pipe not tube, you'll always have problems

 

[Blackjack]

Get a proper bender?