Bench Top Bender How To

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I've read all the posts here about these benchtop benders and they have been a huge help. What my question is is how do you make a bend bigger than the dies that came with the set. The set came with dies to I believe 4". I was going to make some wooden dies to make larger circles and such but was wondering if I were missing something the bender can do that I can't figure out, just like the right angle bend? To see the bender I am refering to please go here http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44094Thanx in advance,-=Fred=-
Reply:Originally Posted by FredlakeI've read all the posts here about these benchtop benders and they have been a huge help. What my question is is how do you make a bend bigger than the dies that came with the set. The set came with dies to I believe 4". I was going to make some wooden dies to make larger circles and such but was wondering if I were missing something the bender can do that I can't figure out, just like the right angle bend? To see the bender I am refering to please go here http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44094Thanx in advance,-=Fred=-
Reply:There are "ring benders on e-bay that will most likely be what you're looking for or go to www.chopperweb.net there's a gentleman there that made his own ring bender and has the instructions on how to do it.Hope I was of some assistance.Don T.
Reply:If you wanted to make something like a ten inch circle you could get a slice of heavy nine or ten inch pipe about three inches long then put it in between the frame arms.  You could then pull up your flat bar against the pipe in stages working around the pipe that is sitting loose on your hinge pin.
Reply:Originally Posted by wroughtn_harvItty bitty bites.  Seriously, I have a couple of small Hossfield knockoffs and I don't use dies, just the pins and I make circles of all sizes.It takes practice but you learn to take a little bend at a time.  If you space your bends close enough together and you do the right bend it will come out smooth as a baby's butt.  If it doesn't after you've welded the ends together you can use a hammer and dress it out until it's perfect.So think itty bitty bites, and practice.  Then practice some more.
Reply:I built this planishing hammer using the "Bumping" method. I also do it in my press brake with sheetmetal to make different radius's....... Attached Images
Reply:Very impressive setup!  It looks like Schedule 40 pipe.  Did you bend that with a HF bender?  I tried starting a bend in some scrap pipe and succeeded in denting the pipe a little and bending the pins holding the dies.  (Chinese steel can be very soft.)
Reply:Originally Posted by FredlakeI've read all the posts here about these benchtop benders and they have been a huge help. What my question is is how do you make a bend bigger than the dies that came with the set. The set came with dies to I believe 4". I was going to make some wooden dies to make larger circles and such but was wondering if I were missing something the bender can do that I can't figure out, just like the right angle bend? To see the bender I am refering to please go here http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44094Thanx in advance,-=Fred=-
Reply:Originally Posted by riley mcmillanThe quick way to form a larger radius bend without special tooling is to calculate the amount of material in the bend itself.  Take the inside radius plus 44 percent of material thickness,  multiply this by 3.14159.  This is the amount of material in 180 degrees of bend.  Divide by two and you will have the amount of material in a 90 degree bend.  Mark the material where the bend starts and ends.  Now incrementally make slight bends from one mark to the other back and forth until you have a ninety degree bend.  Takes a little practice but can be done very quickly.If you form an arc from one quarter thick by 1 1/2 steel strap reinforced with a strap to make the arc ridgged, then weld a piece of steel in between with a hole the size of the center pin, you can form a perfect circle around this type of tool.  This way you can make tools for any radius.  Make the hole close to the edge for this tool.  The complete length of the tool need not be more than six to eight inches.
Reply:Originally Posted by riley mcmillanThe quick way to form a larger radius bend without special tooling is to calculate the amount of material in the bend itself.  Take the inside radius plus 44 percent of material thickness,  multiply this by 3.14159.  This is the amount of material in 180 degrees of bend.  Divide by two and you will have the amount of material in a 90 degree bend.  Mark the material where the bend starts and ends.  Now incrementally make slight bends from one mark to the other back and forth until you have a ninety degree bend.  Takes a little practice but can be done very quickly.If you form an arc from one quarter thick by 1 1/2 steel strap reinforced with a strap to make the arc ridgged, then weld a piece of steel in between with a hole the size of the center pin, you can form a perfect circle around this type of tool.  This way you can make tools for any radius.  Make the hole close to the edge for this tool.  The complete length of the tool need not be more than six to eight inches.
Reply:Originally Posted by riley mcmillanThe quick way to form a larger radius bend ...If you form an arc from one quarter thick by 1 1/2 steel strap reinforced with a strap to make the arc ridgged, then weld a piece of steel in between with a hole the size of the center pin, you can form a perfect circle around this type of tool. This way you can make tools for any radius. Make the hole close to the edge for this tool. The complete length of the tool need not be more than six to eight inches.
Reply:pic's help a ton
Reply:Originally Posted by comppic's help a ton
Reply:Originally Posted by wroughtn_harvSomewhere I've got a VHS tape Riley made of using his craft bender.  It's really neat what he can do.  He even shows how how to bend square tubing with it if I remember correctly.If Vipermanz can swing it I can send it to him, with Riley's permission of course, and we can have it available on the site for newbies and oldies too.My wife is sitting behind me ironing her clothes for the day.  She said to be sure to tell Riley "hi".  She only knows him from real life where he shines as a character and fabricator.
Reply:If I can find those pictures on the circle forming tool and figure out how to post them, I will.  Riley mcmillan
Reply:Heck I'll buy the tape and include S&H. Even better put it on a cd or dvd.
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanIf you wanted to make something like a ten inch circle you could get a slice of heavy nine or ten inch pipe about three inches long then put it in between the frame arms.  You could then pull up your flat bar against the pipe in stages working around the pipe that is sitting loose on your hinge pin.
Reply:I'll second that on buying a VHS/DVD & s&h.  Riley, you still make the craft benders?
Reply:I know this is an old post but has the video ever been posted? I have purchaed this bender and realized I don't know how to anything but very simple bends.Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by CenTexSlim I'll second that on buying a VHS/DVD & s&h.  Riley, you still make the craft benders?
Reply:these are some tools for forming a larger radius bend.  The first one is steel, the second is a double radius tool made from steel flat and the third is steel backed wooden tool for forming strap.  Round stock will tear up the wood very quickly. Attached Images
Reply:i wouldent mide watching a video eather my bender is just colecting dust most of the time hopeing i'll find the time to figure out how to use it 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.