bend test

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i want to be a better welder. so i want to test my welds. i was thinking of getting a hydraulic press to bend my welds should i get a 6 ton , 12 ton,20 ton. or is there another way. i have a 4inch grinder with some cutting wheels. just looking for advice.
Reply:Originally Posted by want to be a welderi want to be a better welder. so i want to test my welds. i was thinking of getting a hydraulic press to bend my welds should i get a 6 ton , 12 ton,20 ton. or is there another way. i have a 4inch grinder with some cutting wheels. just looking for advice.
Reply:Hi I did a couple of threads dealing with bend tests on another forum that you may find helpful.http://weldfabzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3202.0http://weldfabzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3207.0I believe you may have to sign up to view the threads/picts.I have not had the time yet to build a press type tester, but the test examples I have tried using my compact bender turned out as well as the ones I tested at the school on theirs.Good luck..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:Ive used/modified those $100.00 red chinese "tubing bender"'s to test stuff in the field for D1.1.  I cut and rewelded the top part that holds the pins to the correct width, had a machine shop turn me out some rollers and two different sized plungers. All said and done I might have been into it for a little over $200.00.2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:if your just doing this for yourself to be a better welder, i would just cut your test strips, put it in a vise and beat it with a hammer. your if your just looking for a reason to buy a new tool, then by all means, buy or build a press. the bigger the better cuz you'll aways use it for something else. the vise and hammer is how alot of employers test they're welds for welds test. if you ask me i think its a better way becasue of the shock value your adding to the coupon.
Reply:Harbor Freights sell a coupon bender, well sort of. Just use the 1 1/2-inch die.  Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPHarbor Freights sell a coupon bender, well sort of. Just use the 1 1/2-inch die.
Reply:My school uses a 20 ton bottle jack welded to an I beam frame and a shop made U stand where the tops of the posts are cut sections of drive axles.  Works great but wont do anything thick thats more than half an inch ( old bottle jack ).
Reply:wow a lot of great ideas thanks.
Reply:I have a HF 20ton bearing press with a machined jig to D1.1 specs.It works well.CWI, CWE, CST for Miller, Lincoln, Thermadyne, Hypertherm & ESABMillermatic 350PLincoln Invertec 205 AC/DCVictor combo torchESAB PCM 1125