Tube bending

[Lumiya]

We ourselves use the bottom version for bending pipe upto 22mm (you must get the perfect size former otherwise the tube deforms and also you may have to pack it with sand to stop collapse.

We also have another tube bender but that one we use for items as large as scaffolding (2-3inch)

[thetimkirby]

Hi Snaphappy,

Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but have you tried hiring one? We do steel pipe up to two inch occasionally, but not often enough to be worth buying a hydraulic bender, so we hire one. But for 15mm pipe, its a bit of overkill.

If you've access to a good blowtorch or small oxy-acetylene kit, try Kymmy's suggestion of packing with DRY sand, and anneal before bending. I have a simple tube bender (first type you showed) and this is capable of bending thin-wall steel with care. There are some cheap ones around which won't bend plasticine, so check the thickness of the former walls.

Steel pipe is cheap enough, give it a try.

Tim.

[jasonbc]

I want to make my own rack and need some advice from the pros
what sort of bender is up to the job I only want 15mm tubing so dont want to fork out hundreds just to play with once or twice
would this be strong enough (am I strong enough)



Or should I be looking looking at Hybollic or one of these on the second hand market

Go to a reputable plumbers yard my local does pipe benders for 15 & 22mm for less than £30 plenty enough if your an amateur or only want to use it a few times

www.plumbase.co.uk/

[datsun fan]

If you have electric glue - hunt around - usually you can find something to adapt - some will recall my previous thread about making pannier rails from old chair legs - no bending required!

From what was left - (it's 2mm wall thickness same as Touratech), I knocked up a rear rack - it can be easily done once the raw material is found! ( there appears to be a distinct lack of places to sit at work!)

[Snaphappy]

Well I bit the bullet and bought a tube bender
€150 new from some mush on fleabay.de
it worked a treat for 16mm tubing with a 1.5mm wall thickness

I've started making my racks had a few lessons from youtube and went for it

screwed up a few corners but got there in the end, glueing them all together now, and hopefully by the weekend be ready to cut and refitt the exhaust
(thats getting welded by a pro)

[jasonbc]

Well I bit the bullet and bought a tube bender
€150 new from some mush on fleabay.de
it worked a treat for 16mm tubing with a 1.5mm wall thickness

I've started making my racks had a few lessons from youtube and went for it

screwed up a few corners but got there in the end, glueing them all together now, and hopefully by the weekend be ready to cut and refitt the exhaust
(thats getting welded by a pro)

They look very neat and tidy pitty pipe bender was so expensive


Rothenberger Pipe Bender 15, 22mm - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

Rothenberger MicroBender 6-10 mm Pipe - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

Ebay not as cheap as people think

[Snaphappy]

Had a look at the cheap ones and thought this is better value for money, comes with a choice of three diameter formers from 4mm to 22mm I ordered
12mm 16mm 18mm

will probably sell it on when I'm finished

Rohrbieger und Holzspalter Bauanleitungen - Diashow

[jasonbc]

Had a look at the cheap ones and thought this is better value for money, comes with a choice of three diameter formers from 4mm to 22mm I ordered
12mm 16mm 18mm

will probably sell it on when I'm finished

Rohrbieger und Holzspalter Bauanleitungen - Diashow

Does look a sturdy peice of kit

[davsato]

it does look a good bit of kit. i was going to say you can simply buy pre bent sections and offcuts cheap and weld them up but im too late, your up and running