Bending Channel Iron

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Is there a "simple" way to bend channel iron with the [ facing outward like on a trailer tongue? ] ---- [Wanting to bend some channel iron into a trailer tongue, like the nurse tanks we use at work. All I'd be bending is 3" channel. The tongue I just replaced at work was 7" channel, so I'm sure they had a hydraulic machine.Thanks for any ideas. Have torch, plasma, stick, mig, etc at my disposal, just no hydraulic tools.Last edited by TSCGG13; 12-21-2014 at 01:40 PM.
Reply:An oxy-acetylene torch and leverage should suffice.  You might have to attach an extension to the channel iron to get enough leverage.Sculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:I have seen a lot of trailer tounges with channel iron but the web was always facing in.
Reply:I bent some 4 inch by 5.4 lb in a HF 20 ton press. At the time I wasn't bending for accuracy. I was bending to see if I could and at the same time see what the affect of small holes in the flanges would have. Sure enough, it split where a small hole was in the flange. It was a short section tho. I can imagine wrestling a 6 or ten foot section in a stand up press could be a challenge."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:torch and come-along usually suffices for narrow width channel.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:if the web is out, (flanges in) just miter the flanges to what you want to bend, bevel them, and the channel will bend very easy and you can full-pen the flanges back together.simple!is that what you meant with this [  ] ?bosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:I made an oven for this type task although it was for rectangle tube when replacing a trailer tongue a few years ago. I used a propane burner from an old water heater, (45K BTU input modified to ~100K @ 10psi) heating a steel insulated box the tube stuck into and out of through opening doors. A small squirrel cage blower supplied air to drive the temperature up and it would heat a three foot section of the tube and you could bend it by hand on a steel workbench till it cooled.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:Just build a machine... My friend threw together a machine out of scrap.. Attached ImagesEsab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DI have seen a lot of trailer tounges with channel iron but the web was always facing in.
Reply:Originally Posted by SlobI made an oven for this type task although it was for rectangle tube when replacing a trailer tongue a few years ago. I used a propane burner from an old water heater, (45K BTU input modified to ~100K @ 10psi) heating a steel insulated box the tube stuck into and out of through opening doors. A small squirrel cage blower supplied air to drive the temperature up and it would heat a three foot section of the tube and you could bend it by hand on a steel workbench till it cooled.
Reply:Originally Posted by TSCGG13Interesting... I've bent things on my table like this also, so I'm guessing the table would have to play some part anyway.
Reply:I would place the 2 lengnts in place on the trailer and tack them in heavy. Tack a crossmember where you want the bend. Heat and bend your first rail to where you want it then tack in a brace that is out of the way for bending the other rail. Then heat the other rail and draw it in with a clamp. When welding you would need to be careful so you don't draw it out of wack. Once its cool cut your brace out.
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DI would place the 2 lengnts in place on the trailer and tack them in heavy. Tack a crossmember where you want the bend. Heat and bend your first rail to where you want it then tack in a brace that is out of the way for bending the other rail. Then heat the other rail and draw it in with a clamp. When welding you would need to be careful so you don't draw it out of wack. Once its cool cut your brace out.
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XJust build a machine... My friend threw together a machine out of scrap..
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DI have seen a lot of trailer tounges with channel iron but the web was always facing in.