Compact metal bender question.

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I have an inexpensive compact metal bender (HF) that I have had good luck with when using the scroller attachment. However, I cant figure out for the life of me (especially the stop block) how to use the bender for its intended purpose, bending metal.  Does anyone know of or have an instruction book, manual, video, etc. that would help me use this thing properly?
Reply:If you will go to www.harborfreight.com and search for the compact bender, you will find a button that allows you to download the manual for the bender in Adobe Acrobat format (pdf file).   You will need the Adobe Acrobat reader on your computer to view the file.  I haven't tested this one,  but it's a great system for manufacturers to provide their customers with access to product manuals.Ed
Reply:BeezleThanks for the reply.  I should have mentioned that I have the original manual and that it is next to worthless. I does show how to make the letters of the alphabet "in words" not pictures.  For me pictures are worth a thousand words.  The illustrations of the equipment are very poor. I'm looking for a goog tutorial or a good teacher.
Reply:Alright I have attached some photos, hopefully anyway, that should clear things up and at least get you started.Look at the 'right_way' photo first, then overview... - John Attached Images
Reply:And here are some detail photos for using the 'right angle' attachment for making sharp bends.- John Attached Images
Reply:Thank you!Excellent photos! I will try these set ups and bends tomorrow.
Reply:Thanks. For being such a simple device (some metal with holes in it), it sure as heck isn't intuitive to use !- John
Reply:runchman - I'd also like to Thank you for taking the time to post those photos! It is really appreciated!CormMM251, SP125+, Hypertherm 360, 180SD, old Sears 285 amp buzz box
Reply:I agree with all of you that the manual was nearly worthless.  When I bought my bender, I thought I would knock out the few bends in short time.  I took me a few hours to mount it and figure out the "manual" (if it were perforated every four inches, I know what it could be used for).  Now I'm preparing to start another project and need to get it out again.  I've been putting it off because I was hestitant about going through the learning curve again.  Thanks for the pics, that will make it much easier to remember the setup.   Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Dang it! Now I want one!Those of you with one, did you wish you'd gotten a bigger unit or is the HF compact one just fine? Looking at this one, too: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=31980In surfing I found this site which has some videos of their units in use (surf around their site):http://www.shopoutfitters.com/CompactBender.htmlLast edited by Visorblue; 12-20-2006 at 01:43 PM.Warning: I have been wrong before!New small workshop, small MIG, oxyacetylene set with a DHC-2000 that I'm learning to use and really like. Life is good!Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
Reply:The HF unit is fine for hobby stuff or occasional use.  If you were in the business of making ornimental fences or doors, I suppose you'd want to consider a heavy duty unit and/or jigs.  If this thing breaks, you could always weld it, not too much to wear out.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:That harbor freight one you posted is the one I took the pictures of. I agree it seems like it will be fine for hobby use - after all, it is just some metal with holes in it.- John
Reply:thanks!  I've had one of these for years, and have long-since forgotten how to set up the right angle bender.  Radius bends have always been simple on it for me.There used to be a geocities page (years ago) that showed this pretty well, but it's gone now.
Reply:With runchman's permission, I can make up a quick HTML page and host it on either of my web sites. Then it will be accessable that way as well.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Well gee I don't know, those are pretty important photos....Yeah of course you have permission, have at it !!
Reply:Hahahaa...okay, just making sure, don't want to step on any toes!John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:The Grizzly H3183 compact bender looks to be the same unit as the HF one and they have a PDF manual online. No idea how they compare but it's another option -- might be some others as well, link is under the Add to Cart button:http://grizzly.com/products/H3183Warning: I have been wrong before!New small workshop, small MIG, oxyacetylene set with a DHC-2000 that I'm learning to use and really like. Life is good!Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
Reply:Another option, more $$$$, I found on the Cars/PlasmaCAM post in the Machines/Tools section.  The PlasmaCAM site had a link to another place that sells all kinds of nice looking metal working equipment.  I think this stuff is geared more towards everyday/business use though and the cost reflects it.  The good thing was they had "add ons" that for the bender machine that would enhance it's capabilites with other options.  Twister, mutilple twister, and I think something else.  They also had rollers and some other interesting stuff.  Check it out before buying if you're serious about ornimental iron work.Maybe they have a manual worth the ink it was printed with.....Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:the HF one has the twister and other options available for it as well, you just have to hunt it down one the HF site.And by the way, Shopoutfitters.com has some attachements for their bender like tube bending dies and they will fit the HF unit, I asked them first and then got the 3/4" square tubing dies, fit perfectly.
Reply:Hey Mike, Thanks for researching that and confirming that they fit.  I have the HF unit and when I saw the pics yesterday, the thought crossed my mind that some of the parts may be interchangable.  I may have to get some price quotes on some of the add-ons in the future.That's the great thing about this site, lots of shared info.  My step-daughter lives in SB, I'm in Lakewood (LB area).Merry Christmas!RickHobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:RunchmanThanks for the picsHere in England it's available herehttp://www.machinemart.co.uk/product...1&r=2044&g=106I too am somewhat disgruntled with the instructionsAlso, there must have been a modification to the designThe metal cube with a hole drilled thru it -- now the hole is equidistant at one endsee this sketchThe instructions show the hole set in one corner as in your picAny comments on how this cube should be positioned?happy Xmas to allcog
Reply:Hey Mike,How about a few pics of your HF compact "tube bender" in action?That aint heat lightning in the neighborhood tonight...
Reply:That's odd about the hole in the block. The idea with it being offset (like mine is), is that by flipping it upside-down, you end up being able to get the 'clamping' edge of the block 6 different distances away from the workpiece. As I understand it, basically you want to line it up with one of the holes, any one, such that the clamping side is as close as possible to the workpiece. With the one caveat being the hole needs to be 'right of center' so you get the cam-action clamping instead of having the block just twist out of the way. Think of it this way, the workpiece section to the left of the hole has a longer lever against the blocks rotation point than the section to the right of the hole does, so the piece to the left "wins" the battle and tries to rotate the block clockwise, thereby clamping the piece. For this clockwise rotation to occur the hole has to be to the right of center. Ok I think I've beat that to death !- John
Reply:If you go to shopoutfitters.com and click on (compact tube bender), you can find a short video of the unit in action.
Reply:I agree, I have one of those benders and the manual was next to useless. For me theres usually a few scrap trial peices I have to go through to relearn how to make certain intricate bends. It's a versitile tool, but your on your own on learning how to use it.Excellent posts and pictures runchman!Freelance Fabber91 GMC 3500 Portable welding truckLincoln Weldanpower 8000 gas welderMiller CST 250 Smaw/Gtaw inverterMillermatic 210 gmaw line welderHyperterm plasmaI have a HF bender, but I have the "real" bender manual with pictures. I can scan it and send it, or copy it and mail it if interested. For the price, it works the same as the "old" Shop Outfitters unit. The only problem I had with mine is, the rolls are too soft. I would suggest to either flame harden them, or make new ones out of better steel.
Reply:Thanks for the offer.  I would very much apprreciate a copy of "The Real Manual".  Look for a private messageWhiteiron.
Reply:i was all stoked about playing with mine when i got it about 2 years ago, maybee more and its been hanging on the wall ever scence. never bent any thing with it. been thinking of ordering the book on the Shop Outfitters site but was afraid it would turn out to be a you can make this or this but not how to do so.??? any one order there book ??Jpteckif you have a manual thats werth looking at i would love a coppy of some pic's scaned in. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:This is a link to Howron Industries and their benders and videos.  They have a pretty decent video on how you can make dies and accessories.http://www.metalbendingtool.com/projects.htmlI have the HF and a small Howron bender.  If I ever get more proficient with the bender I will buy either the JD2 or the Shop Outfitter bender.  Leaning more towards the Shop Outfitter just from the feedback I have read on this forum and from their cust service depts.
Reply:OK Harborfreight had the bender on sale for half a hundred dollars and this discussion made it a must-have tool.How do I prevent my wife from demanding a new garden gate, a few trellises and such?Can it be disguised as a tool necessary to sharpen chainsaws? or a stand for a grinder? I need help here if she sees the potential for what it seems capable of doing.I always passed by this tool as just a gimmic until this discussion.  Those photo's and the sites refered to make it a necessary toy to have in the shop.
Reply:TRY THIS:     http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals...4999/44094.PDFKISS...KEEP IT SAFE STUPID
Reply:knotboredthats a tuff one. probly be best to just try to work a nice new welder into the discution. after all the bender only bends the stuff, you realy need a nice new welder to put it togather. perhaps a few new grinders to clean the stuff up so it looks nice. better to go with it than to try to hide it, ya just gotta work in a lil some thing for you out of it all . summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:any one know if HF sells the scrole or twister adapters for it?? part #'s would be great as well so i could call ahead to see if they have them in stock.thanks, i could realy use a few new grinders and a nice nerw scroll atachment would proble create just the project to justify them. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:I just got the HF bender and it works fine except, I really wanted to do scrolls with it. Found out cant get the scroll attachment.  Does anyone else make one that will fit?THanks Allzippys
Reply:I've got the shopoutfitters 20/20 bender(bit pricy but built tough and lots of accesories) and it comes with a great manual and as some have mentioned there are videos on their site that would help with any style bender. Between that and Runchmans greatly appreciated pics  should help anyone quite a bit.http://www.shopoutfitters.com/CompactBender2.htmlLatest Toys Miller 180 Mig and Elite Mask!!Wright Welder 225ACShop OutFitters 20/20 Bending SystemHypertherm 380 Plasma30 Years of Sparking (Electrical & Welding)
Reply:I saw a scroll attachment at my local HF sitting in a pile under a bench, probably 6 months or so ago. I should have scarfed it up, but alas I did not.- John
Reply:I saw a scroll attachment at my local HF sitting in a pile under a bench, probably 6 months or so ago. I should have scarfed it up, but alas I did not.i hate it when that happens!!  i do it all the time, see some thing then talk myself out of getting it only to realy need it a week later, and with HF if its there now , dose not mean it will be there next trip. good to know thay have one in there system though, i'll have to keep an eye out for one. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:I too have been looking for the scroller. The www.wttool.com catalog came today and they have a scroller and twister.The catalog lists them as attachments to the floor model. I would imagine the scroll attachment would still work on the bench model and so could the twister if mounted near the edge of a bench. There are no pictures in the catalog or web site. Now I just need to order them.MmmmmmmmmmmmBeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrGooooooooooo  oodddd!!!!
Reply:Excellent photos and a great help runchman!I'm trying to figure out exactly where to place my mark when I bend on the HF bender using the 3" die or any die for that matter. So if I want an "S" shape to fit exactly in a rectangular frame, I have to be able to calculate bends exactly.Do I line up the mark at one edge of the rectangular block? I want to create consistent repetitive bends but can't seem to figure out where to place my mark on the bender itself to get accurate bends every time.If it was in the manual, I missed it...On another note, here's a gate I'm working on and all the bent pieces use the HF bender-Last edited by Vanya; 07-24-2007 at 11:40 AM.
Reply:I love it! Nice job on the gate.  What is HF? Looks like I need to get myself a bender.  This is the stuff I love.Laura MM 180Chop SawDewalt grinderhelpful husband
Reply:Originally Posted by pinklilly11I love it! Nice job on the gate.  What is HF? Looks like I need to get myself a bender.  This is the stuff I love.
Reply:VanyaAs long as you are consistent with your alignment things should come out close.  The important thing is to hold the metal against the block with a clamp of some sort.  Always use a die on your pin in handle section.  You can even lube the handle die so it spins freely.  For repetitive bends you need to keep the metal from sliding as it you are bending.HF=harbor freight (bender)
Reply:Thanks guys-Good info on the consistency thing tapwelder-still, I guess I'm looking for even more accuracy. That "S" example was actually one I needed to do recently-took about 6 tries thru trial and error-good thing used rusty metal bars aren't overly expensive. There's got to be a be a better way to bend a complex shape and figure out where to mark it, then where to line up the mark on the bender so that you can fit that shape within another shape. I'll do another test, and try to notice where the mark needs to be to accurately wrap around a die. Thanks again!
Reply:Vanya,Below are few websites that you might also find interesting.  The first one is a home built bender from common steel shapes.  The second one is a large file so it is in zip form.  This is a great set of plans. The bending dies in all of them will give you some good ideas on how to make your own dies.  The football shape bending dies can be made from strap iron or sections of pipe.  I have one of the HF bender as well as made the homebuilt one.  I made the ring rolling attachment that works on top of the bend. I can use it on both benders.  If you use the short pipe dies as is when you bend they swing into the stop block and pinch the material to keep it from slipping.  The last one is Hossfeld's website it has a down-loadable catalog with lots of good pictures. I'll try to post pics of my bender if you would like.[url]http://www.bbssystem.com//files/smaug57metalbender_102.pdfhttp://www.kinzers.com/don/MachineTools/bender/http://www.hossfeldbender.com/index.phpGood LuckLarryTry not use $10.00 worth of time on $.10 job!!Miller Bobcat
Reply:Noob here, just found this post and just happened to use my bender this morning.  Needed some long pins that I could stick in the ground to hold a string line.  I ended up starting with 36" of 3/8" HR stock and forming a loop on one end.  Welded the loop closed and then reverse bent it so the loop is above the body of the pin.  With the loop it's easy to shove intot he ground and I have a place to pull to get them out.I'm gonna go get a pic of the pins, brb  From right to left they get progressively more the way I wanted them.  The backbend is a out of place on the right, closer in the center, and as close as I can get it on the left one.  In hindsight I should have done the backbend before I welded the eye closed. Attached Images
Reply:The Hossfeld is a pretty nice bender even though it looks a little crude at first.  It goes a long ways back, I think it was originally made for farriers/blacksmiths to form horseshoes.  I've bent a boatlaod of handrail pipe on two of them, both were hydraulic powered, it is about impossible to wind 1 1/4" Sch 40 pipe by hand.  They make all sorts of die sets, that's where the cost is, the bare machine is downright cheap.
Reply:I just used my HF bender for the first time today and it is well worth the fifty bucks I paid for it. I bought it to get a feel for bending and to see what my needs would be in a better unit. Thank God they didn't make the manual any more in depth. If I had been tempted to look at it again, this bender would be an abstract piece of art at the scrap yard.Last edited by Lamant; 08-23-2007 at 09:28 PM.
Reply:before i use mine i use a piece of welding rod to make my bends with it and mark where i want to stop. if i mess up i just straighten it out and rebend till i get it the way i want. it works great for me
Reply:I got this bender last week and I spend my whole monday trying to figure the damn thing out. Eventually I gave up and started cracking open some beers.Thank you for the pictures! I actually was able to make some right angle bends however it was not the way in which the pictures described Maybe I will give it another try...Edit: This thread will never die!Last edited by HakBot; 05-28-2009 at 05:03 PM.
Reply:the manuals attempt on page 8 to describe the use of the right angle bend attachment is a joke .. but if you look in that manual at page 14 figure 10 under "making tube clamps" there is a description of using it.. once i started i found that on thicker stock(3/8) it is necessary to move the pin to the 3rd or sometime the 4th holei also removed the mounting bolt and  ring assembly spacer to get more access/clearance for stock.....once you "get it" it works but i find it almost counterintuitive...... i made the oven grill in the foto with the bender shortly after i figured out how to do so..the hardest part is keeping in one plane as it goes along.. Attached Images