Bending tubes, how is this done?

[willieworld]

don  the harbor freight tube bender is a tube roller and is used to make a very long bends although you can roll a circle ---the tube bender plans at gottrikes looks like to me that it uses jd2 dies----if you can build the bender with the 17 dollar plans that would be good----the only problem i see is -i have heard from a couple of people that jd2 is selling some aluminum dies --all of my dies are steel ---if you decide to buy the plans also remember each set of dies will cost you a couple of hundred dollars--i have 8 or 9 sets of dies so you can see the cost can add up fast ---if you just need a couple of tubes bent up find someone close to do it --if you decide to buy the plans i would like to see them ---willie buchta

[Streetwerkz]

A roll bender will do large radius, or "X" amount of bends x radius.
www.2020ssi.com is the tube bending software I use, 2nd to none

[willieworld]

i bent some tube today ---the bender worked great a couple easy passes through and it fit the mark on the floor perfect---after that i ran the tube through 5 or 6 more times and the tube started to corkscrew slightly---all of the rollers had a lot of side play---ran to the hardware store and got some washers and shimmed them to exact center ---rolled the tube through 2 more times and the corkscrew went away---the rollers i used were the ones that came with the machine and the tube was 1 1/2 X .120 wall EW  ----about 4 inches of each end of the tube  dont bend because of the distance between the rollers---oh and the tube stayed round which is always good--------here are some pics-------willie buchta

[willieworld]

more pics

[willieworld]

a couple more pics

[Peter Jack]

I see you have the optional remote control power system Willie.

Pete

[johnneilson]

Oh Man!!

Seeing that old South Bend brings back memories.

John

[willieworld]

i would really appreciate if you didnt talk about my wife like that --------------------willie buchta

[Peter Jack]

Actually it's great to see a lady willing to help in the shop like that.

We used to use verbal remotes rather regularly when we were tangled up in a roll cage welding some awkward joint. Someone outside the car would operate the pedal while the person welding would be yelling "more, more, more, less, less, oops". I'm not limber enough to get into those positions any more and if I did I'd never get out.

Pete

[willieworld]

pete   the comment about not talking about my wife was directed toward john and was supposed to be a joke ---my wife sheri always helps me in the shop and isnt afraid to get her hands dirty----she makes a great helper but like most ladies would rather be shopping ---willie buchta

[John Noonan]

Willie,

When are you going to post the build pictures of the twin engine?  I see the tubes being bent..any drawings of it yet?

John

[bak189]

Come on Willie....post some pictures of your new project.....your getting John N all nervous...................

[John Noonan]

Come on Willie....post some pictures of your new project.....your getting John N all nervous...................

Yes I am... put four of those engines on it and I may be..


John

[johnneilson]

Willie,

I was not making a dig at your Wife. Just seeing the old South Bend, painted red reminded me of working in an old shop years ago.
It was right next to the old motorized Heli-arc without torch control.

Alls right now, back from therapy, John

[John Noonan]

John,

All is well, that was Willies attempt at humor, it might be served dry from time to time however it is welcomed by most..

John