Bending 3" 11guage square tubing

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I am building a set of Ned bars for my new truck( or the wife's depending on who you ask).    On this particular set I am using 3" square tubing.     I am needing to bend it to roughly 135 degrees in a uniform fashion.    With my rather primitive fab shop, I am really not equipped to bend this large of stock.    Could I get it hot enough with a rosebud to bend, or do I need to fab something large to bend it cold.    To further complicate things I am building these with the square being 45* out of parallel with the ground, the point going up in the diamond shape.    Any advise would be great.    ThanksMiller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:What are Ned bars??
Reply:I am sorry, durn auto correct, nerf bars or side steps.   Sorry for the confusion.Miller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:If I understand what you are asking, you might need to cut a pie shaped piece, bend and weld it back together.  You can get it exactly where you want it that way.
Reply:You don't "bend" square tubing. You roll it in an open faced roller. I don't know(never knew) anyone with one that big.Get some 1 1/2" black iron PIPE and use a hydraulic press bender with dies.http://www.harborfreight.com/16-ton-...der-35336.htmlBubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Maybe we have different senses of humor, but what exactly does the mushrooms have to do with my question.Miller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:Originally Posted by jw3On this particular set I am using 3" square tubing.     I am needing to bend it to roughly 135 degrees in a uniform fashion.    Could I get it hot enough with a rosebud to bend, or do I need to fab something large to bend it cold.    To further complicate things I am building these with the square being 45* out of parallel with the ground, the point going up in the diamond shape.    Any advise would be great.    Thanks
Reply:Thanks pipeliner.   I appreciate the advise.    I am probaly gonna go back to the drawing board on the design end of things.    I had built a set for my last truck out of 2 1/2" blk pipe and weld 90s.    It made quick work.    I just wanted a different look on the new rig.  Thanks again.Miller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:You can certainly bend this. Rolling is usually used for longer arcs, not short radius bends. There are no bender dies that I am aware of for bending square tube on the diamond though. Here is a link that I made on bending larger tube. I have done it since on bigger tube as well. You will likely want to use heavier wall tube for the bend sections and weld them to the straight tube.  A rosebud will not give you enough heat, you will need a forge of some sort, I use a propane forge that I built.http://shopfloortalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31192
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