Advice for bending round stock

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I'm new to this whole metal working thing. I got my ac/dc tig machine and some air tools so far. Not much else. I'd like to build something and need 2 circles of 1/2 inch round stock the diameter of a 5 gallon bucket. They don't have to be complete circles but within 3 inches of it.I hate to spend much money on this, the only torch I have is map gas small bottles. Would if be easier to find someone locally or can I bend this cold somehow?
Reply:You can bend it cold but you will need a Form the size of the bucket to bend it around or a half circle form to slowly bend/form the rod around.You can cut out the form from a piece of plywood or MDF.http://www.metalgeek.com/archives/2005/05/01/000047.phpEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Broccoli, that's a great link...thanks for posting it.
Reply:Get a length of 4 inch schedule 80 pipe about a foot long and make something HEAVY DUTY to hold it rock solid still in the horizontal position. That and a 5 lb hammer and 1/2 round is yours to master. With a lil practice you can bang out rings for that bucket in a couple of minutes. Yeah. Anvil$ are better. This is fast and cheap. Measure across the bucket, multiply by 3 and add a foot(to hold onto).Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:How accurate? Before I had rollers or a forge, I bend a lot of steel with a homemade bending fork, or a hammer and 2 blocks of wood. If you weld two pieces of pipe to a piece of tube, you can put that in a vise with the pipe ends sticking up, then weld two more pieces to another pipe to use as a wrench, then lay your stock in the fork on the vice and start easing it around. Many small bites will make a better circle than large bites. After you get it roughed around, just start adjusting it in the forks.
Reply:Thanks guys! All good info
Reply:Keep in mind if you cold bend, there will be some  spring back to deal with if you bend around a form. I make 9" rings by wrapping flat stock around a 7 1/2" form and over wrapping them slightly. When they spring back, I get about the size I need consistently. I then cut thru both pieces at the same time to loose the small flat I end up with at the beginning and end, though the bit of extra bend that's left over helps me avoid some of this if I have to bend a 2nd one since the "flat" is already bent to the right shape..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:So after some further planning I would like to up to 1". Maybe pipe though. I wouldst be be ok with spending $90 or so on a HF bender does anyone have any recommendations on this matter? Light use of course
Reply:hf bender it going to give you a kinky looking circle.the hf tubing roller would be better. I own a couple and have roller aluminum down that small, but it will be difficult to do steel pipe that small. a 5 gallon bucket is about 1 foot diameter and pipe is pretty thick stuff! conduit maybe, but tube?? not so surewhat is the end goal/usage?
Reply:Ok, tell us what yer trying to make so we can cut to the chase on tools to help As mentioned you'll need a Tube Roller to roll the tubing in to the circle.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:There are many versions but something similar to this http://www.mikesracingproducts.com
Reply:Rolling tubing in a tight radius takes some muscle. Swag has a thread over on Pirate 4x4 where they've done 1.75" DOM (0.12 wall) down to a 24" diameter in about an hour. Here's the thread: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/tools...-off-road.htmlThere are some versions of tubing available that tend to roll better than normal stuff. When I have something like this... that is beyond the tools I have on hand... I start looking for something that can be re-purposed for my needs that already has the basic dimensions I need.Here's how it's done commercially. You may be able to find a company that offers rings pre-made.
Reply:Dang, you can buy one for $99.00I can't imagine the tubing being thicker than 16g.Looks like the HF tube roller will do the trickhttp://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...9999/99736.pdfhttp://t.harborfreight.com/tubing-ro...obile_redirectEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Crap!..One of those situations where it's cheaper to just buy it than make it. I'd still like to have the fun and experience of it and make it my own design. Leaning towards  repurposing something for the top piece anyone have any ideas?
Reply:Originally Posted by dumpCrap!..One of those situations where it's cheaper to just buy it than make it. I'd still like to have the fun and experience of it and make it my own design. Leaning towards  repurposing something for the top piece anyone have any ideas?
Reply:Originally Posted by dumpCrap!..One of those situations where it's cheaper to just buy it than make it. I'd still like to have the fun and experience of it and make it my own design. Leaning towards  repurposing something for the top piece anyone have any ideas?