Free tube bender plans

[paul r]

Clarke pipe bender

Hi,

will one of the CLARKE hydraulic pipe benders be ok for putting slight bends in 3" stainless and 2.25" stainless pipes without too much distortion?

I will buy in mandrel bent pipes for anything over 30 degrees, but will one of these benders be ok for anything below 30 degrees without wrecking the pipe?

Cheers,

Paul.

 

[Monrovian]

I think you will struggle unless the wall thickness is about 7mm on the 3" and 5mm on the 2 1/4" as its only the wall thickness that is preventing deformation on that type of bender.

It may help if you fill the tube with fine foundry sand but in my experience it doesnt make much difference and is a pain in the ****. Others say they have had success but it really depends on the material and the wall thickness. You have no outer wall support with those dies.

Sand definitely helps if you are hot bending around a wooden former by hand but it is absolutely crucial that you have dried the sand first in an oven if you are using this method with welded caps on the tube ends up to prevent the moisture turning to steam and blowing out.

 

[paul r]

Sounds like a no go......

I'll have to pay to have the pipes mandrel bent I think. All expense!

Paul.