Tube bending question: Tube rotation

jeepinmatt

jeepinmatt

#1 WEBWHEELER
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Whats the best way to keep the tube level, and how do you get the right rotation angle on 3D parts?
Thanks in advance.
 
I am no expert by any means, but I have bent a few. I think it has to do with experience. After a while, and several wrong bends, you can judge how much take up to use and how much a 1 degree tube rotation changes the tube throw 5 feet away. An easy way to check if the tubing is level is to use a straight edge from the die. Keep the same measurement away from the die as you have where the tubing indexes the die. It will be bent straight. Or, spend the time to level the bender (make sure the die is level too). Then, if the tubing is level, you got it.

Just my .02.
 
I usually use a 6' straight edge. Its a purchased straight edge, so I know its straight. I put it on the die and see if the tube is "level" or not. I still have a manual bender, so with each crank of the handle, I re-check it and adjust as necessary. Usually the tube will stay where its at after about 45* of bend, but keep checking it as it will rotate on you and after 45* of bend and its rotated, its VERY difficult to get the twist out of the tube.

To get the right rotation angle, use the straight edge and rotate the tube to the desired angle and lock it in. Keep checking it as you are bending.
 
^x2 trial & error,,,,be prepaired to mess up for awhile,it will take alittle bit of practice .even when you think your "that good" with the bender it will sneek up on you and you will mess up again..LOL
 
Use an angle finder with a magnet on one side and a "V" channel on the other. It is a dial type that uses gravity and can turn 360 deg (looks kinda like a big compass but with degrees marked from 1-360). this will help greatly on finding your angles and always use a pencil and paper to visualize your bends, this will save you on scrap metal that you could have used on something else. Draw it out with a front, right side, and top view for best visualization (its called "third angle projection" if you need to google it). Oh and you can buy that type of angle finder at almost any hardware store, maybe even wallyworld.
 
on tv "extreme4x4" he use an exhaust clamp with a magnetic angle finder on top of it that way you could see the twist by the angle on the angle finder. would probable work best to mount an exhuast clamp on each end a keeep checking as you bend. NOt sure if thiis i what you are talking about since ive never bent a single tube
 
First, turn your horizontal bender into a vertical, then throw on and air/hydro ram. You will be far happier. It's like saying "I can notch just find with an angle grinder", then buying a tube notcher. Second, buy a digital angle finder. The Wixey one works great. Everything else after that is simple. Just add or subtract angles. Or 0 the angle finder and go from there.
 
mudder said:
Use an angle finder with a magnet on one side and a "V" channel on the other. It is a dial type that uses gravity and can turn 360 deg (looks kinda like a big compass but with degrees marked from 1-360). this will help greatly on finding your angles and always use a pencil and paper to visualize your bends, this will save you on scrap metal that you could have used on something else. Draw it out with a front, right side, and top view for best visualization (its called "third angle projection" if you need to google it). Oh and you can buy that type of angle finder at almost any hardware store, maybe even wallyworld.
Click to expand...

This is good info thanks. I have a 360deg magnetic angle finder, but it doesn't have a groove, so that will help. I would like something I can clamp on so it stays fixed. I've got Bend-tech for the visualization, but it is a pain in the butt to draw 3d stuff in.

on tv "extreme4x4" he use an exhaust clamp with a magnetic angle finder on top of it that way you could see the twist by the angle on the angle finder. would probable work best to mount an exhuast clamp on each end a keeep checking as you bend. NOt sure if thiis i what you are talking about since ive never bent a single tube
Click to expand...

Thanks exactly what Im talking about, and sounds like something I need to make

First, turn your horizontal bender into a vertical, then throw on and air/hydro ram. You will be far happier. It's like saying "I can notch just find with an angle grinder", then buying a tube notcher. Second, buy a digital angle finder. The Wixey one works great. Everything else after that is simple. Just add or subtract angles. Or 0 the angle finder and go from there.
Click to expand...
When I bought the bender, it was already vertical, with an air/hydro ram. I may make a clamp for my angle finder. That Wixey one looks really nice, but is a little out of my price range (and I will probably drop a die on it or something).
 
Then it's simple. Just hold the angle finder on the side of the bent piece of tube, zero it, then turn the tube until it is at the degree you want. Or you can buy one of these bases online. very simple to make though if you have any .5"+ steel laying around. The digital angle finder makes life much easier. I believe craftsman had one on sale for a good price.

ALBsm.jpg
 
be careful, those angle finders only work easily if your die is exactly level or plumb. However, leveling your plumbing your die is easy. If not, check what angle it is and compensate for that difference in the angle you want to make your bend
 
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