Squashing pipe ends for welding

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Another tool attachment I made for the chepo 12 ton harbor frieght type pipe bender is a "end squasher" for less critical welds. You don't have to sqish the ends all the way, in fact it is usually better if you don't. I use it a lot for handrailing so you can cut on an angle and the user doesn't lose their grip. It looks a lot more proffesional than smacking it with a sledge. Attached Images
Reply:Cool !  That is clever. Using the pipe bended instead of the press. I may just have to make on of those.  Did you make other goodies for the bended too ???  I would like to see them if you did. Great idea !
Reply:I have a modified die for bending square, it is stackable for different sizes. I bought it on ebay, it works fine on 1" to 1 1/4" but not larger.  It would be easy to make one for larger, the trick is to have a center rib to collapse the inside.The pic shown is one I pushed the limits on by trying 2" square.  It would have worked with a larger radius.   I have used the 2" die to bend 3/8 X 3" flat. channel, and even old mining railroad track for a mining display. Attached Images
Reply:Looking good! I will need to fix something like that for a project I am working on right now. I need to squish (read, flatten out) some sections of 33mm OD tubing. This should work.Mikel
Reply:here is a frame for a commercial swinging bench I made with it.  Mikel_24, remember that cheap bender will flatten that, but won't bend it.  I get stronger welds if I flatten then leaving 1/2" or so open. Attached Images
Reply:The totally flattened pipe is equivelent to about 33MM (1"sch 40).  I flattened that all the way because it welds to flat for picnic table braces (see my thread on pipe quality for bends).
Reply:Here is another bench frame with 3/8" x 4" flat, bent with the squash-o-matic. Attached Images