The Official Tube Bending Thread

[BAILEIGH INC]

Hey guys,

It's Shane from Baileigh Industrial here in Wisconsin. As you know, we deal with the Hot Rod, Restoration and racing crowds on a daily basis and would love to get a little more involved on the board and help out in our area of expertise.

We have a whole team of metal fabrication experts here and we specialize in tube bending and odd applications.

So, I will start this tube bending thread. If you have any questions about roll cages, bending tube or pipe, application issues, what wall thickness will work or not, wall thickness vs. center line Radius or what material will bend. Pretty much anything related to tube bending......ask away.

[MarkM66]

Is there pricing on your website? Maybe I'm just missing it.

[BAILEIGH INC]

Is there pricing on your website? Maybe I'm just missing it.

PM sent

Thanks!

[BAILEIGH INC]

Any questions on roll cage fabrication? C'mon guys.

[Finch]

Shane,

Can you list out the different types of tubing and thickness used in roll cage and tube chassis fab? Also a general guide as to when to use which.

Thanks,

[BAILEIGH INC]

Shane,

Can you list out the different types of tubing and thickness used in roll cage and tube chassis fab? Also a general guide as to when to use which.

Thanks,

Wheew! That would be a ton of info. Let's start out slow.....

Most of the guys building dragsters and dragster cages are using 1 5/8" x .083" wall chromolly. A 6" or a 6.5" center line radius die set works well for this material.

Whats next?

[Twentyover]

Try the SCCA cage or roll bar diameters- from Appendix G

1.5 x .095 Cage for < 2200 lb

1.5 x .120 or
1.625 x .120 or
1.75 x .095 for 2201-3000 lb

1.75 x .120 for 3301-4000 lb

2.00 x .120 for 4000 < lb

[parsonsj]

Shane,

Most circle track or road race stuff is based on 1.75 tube. What's your thoughts on that? .083 4130? .090 4130? .120 DOM?

[BAILEIGH INC]

Shane,

Most circle track or road race stuff is based on 1.75 tube. What's your thoughts on that? .083 4130? .090 4130? .120 DOM?

1 3/4" x .083" bends nice on a 6.5 CLR

1 3/4" x .095" = 5.5 CLR or higher

1 3/4" x .120 = 4.5 CLR or higher

[Memphis]

What size tube would you recommend for bars that go from the firewall to frame rail?

[BAILEIGH INC]

Is there pricing on your website? Maybe I'm just missing it.

On what machine? Our manual tube bender?

http://www.bii1.com/videos-pages/rdb-050-video.php

[80proZ]

I've got one question.Why the big hush hush on pricing?Why do i need to contact thru email to get pricing, or pm'ed even.I find i extremely annoying to have to go thru extra steps to purchase equipment.
Sorry to hijack here.I've been to the baileigh site and like the stuff you guys sell.I just like to know what kinda cash i need to make my purchases up front in plain veiw.
Now that i got that out.How do you figure the takeout on 90s and 45s?Is there some general formula that can be used on all dia. and CLRs

[BAILEIGH INC]

I've got one question.Why the big hush hush on pricing?Why do i need to contact thru email to get pricing, or pm'ed even.I find i extremely annoying to have to go thru extra steps to purchase equipment.
Sorry to hijack here.I've been to the baileigh site and like the stuff you guys sell.I just like to know what kinda cash i need to make my purchases up front in plain veiw.
Now that i got that out.How do you figure the takeout on 90s and 45s?Is there some general formula that can be used on all dia. and CLRs

The reason for no pricing on our website is simple. We have a huge dealer network. They all have their own websites with their own pricing. I can shoot you a quote for list price on any machine you like. But please understand....

It's not a big secret or anything like that. Some of our dealers choose to sell at a higher margin than others, so we do not list the prices on our site. But we do sell direct, so you don't need to go to a dealer.

If you are looking for bender pricing, this bender here is $895 and is our newest addition to our bender line. It is a perfect fit for the home fabricator who wants a roll cage. Check out the video http://www.bii1.com/videos-pages/rdb-050-video.php (mhtml:{D3FE52AF-F7BF-4B90-A153-DA113142CC02}mid://00000094/!x-usc:http://www.bii1.com/videos-pages/rdb-050-video.php)

Are you asking how to figure out how much tube is consumed in a bend?

[80proZ]

Are you asking how to figure out how much tube is consumed in a bend?
Yes.
Thanks for the answer Shane.I wasn't trying to pick on just you,just figured i ask.Thats a pretty nice bender in the video and will hopefully be my next peice of garage equipment.We recently got a new tube/pipe bender at work and i tried to talk my boss into looking into the Baileigh products but he ended up purchasing an Ercolina,which is a decent bender,but in my opinion way over priced.

[xtrmeta]

I need to find a bender thats not to bad in price that doesn't have to be bolted into the garage floor. I have radiant heat in the floor so thats out. I was looking at your site and all the manual ones seem to be bolted down.

[BAILEIGH INC]

I need to find a bender thats not to bad in price that doesn't have to be bolted into the garage floor. I have radiant heat in the floor so thats out. I was looking at your site and all the manual ones seem to be bolted down.

I have sold plenty of manual benders to guys in your position. A couple of them fabed up a stand that would go into their receiver hitch on their truck, or pour a little baby slab of concrete in the back yard.

[xtrmeta]

I have sold plenty of manual benders to guys in your position. A couple of them fabed up a stand that would go into their receiver hitch on their truck, or pour a little baby slab of concrete in the back yard.

Those are a couple of good ideals but I do most of mt projects during the winter time and I live in NY so working outside isn't an option for me.

[BAILEIGH INC]

Those are a couple of good ideals but I do most of mt projects during the winter time and I live in NY so working outside isn't an option for me.


The anchors would only have to be about 2" or so, but other than that, not sure what else to recommend here,
other than stepping up to a hydraulic machine like this http://www.bii1.com/images/rotarty-draw-benders/RDB125-large.jpg

[xtrmeta]

The anchors would only have to be about 2" or so, but other than that, not sure what else to recommend here,
other than stepping up to a hydraulic machine like this http://www.bii1.com/images/rotarty-draw-benders/RDB125-large.jpg

Whats the price on something like that?

[BAILEIGH INC]

Whats the price on something like that?


The RDB-125 is $3,895 and is our most popular bender with the garage fabricator. Check out the movie http://www.bii1.com/videos-pages/rdb125-video.php

[xtrmeta]

The RDB-125 is $3,895 and is our most popular bender with the garage fabricator. Check out the movie http://www.bii1.com/videos-pages/rdb125-video.php

That would be great but it's out of my budget range on a bender right now.

[BAILEIGH INC]

That would be great but it's out of my budget range on a bender right now.

Remember, we offer interest free financing. You can break it up into 12 payment with no interest if you like. Or, you can even stretch it out as long as 60 month and make little baby payments each month till' it's paid off.

[Takid455]

Oval or internal mesh tubing
I thought about integrating a roll bar into the body of my car. It would fit between the inner and outer layers of sheet metal so as to not impede on the interior cabin significantly. the issues I found with this are that any racing body prefers to have the cage viewable and not hidden. I plan on using internally webbed oval or box tubing. this is typical of what the supercars use in their spaceframes. Is my idea something to avaoid unless I build several examples and do crash testing like the OEs which is out of the question?

[BB69]

Those are a couple of good ideals but I do most of mt projects during the winter time and I live in NY so working outside isn't an option for me.

I live in the Detroit area, so I understand your issue. I did a lot of my work in the winter, and bent tubing outside. I put the bender into the hitch on my truck. It really doesn't take very long to actually bend the tube (using a manual bender). You spend a lot more time planning the bends and notching tube. Once you get a tube marked properly, it only takes a few minutes to make the bend. It would take less time if you have a degree wheel.

The other big problem with having one in your shop is the space needed to use it. I was working with 20' long sections of tubing. I didn't want to cut them down, because my luck I would need a 10.5' piece the instant I cut the tube in half to 10'. Anyway, trying to swing a 20' tube around the shop means you need a lot of open space. If you have it, that's fine. Otherwise you spend a lot of time moving stuff out of the way. Using the trailer hitch also means it a lot easier to share with your friends in exchange for beer. :)

Ken

[xtrmeta]

I live in the Detroit area, so I understand your issue. I did a lot of my work in the winter, and bent tubing outside. I put the bender into the hitch on my truck. It really doesn't take very long to actually bend the tube (using a manual bender). You spend a lot more time planning the bends and notching tube. Once you get a tube marked properly, it only takes a few minutes to make the bend. It would take less time if you have a degree wheel.

The other big problem with having one in your shop is the space needed to use it. I was working with 20' long sections of tubing. I didn't want to cut them down, because my luck I would need a 10.5' piece the instant I cut the tube in half to 10'. Anyway, trying to swing a 20' tube around the shop means you need a lot of open space. If you have it, that's fine. Otherwise you spend a lot of time moving stuff out of the way. Using the trailer hitch also means it a lot easier to share with your friends in exchange for beer. :)

Ken

I spent many years working outside in one of those portable garages before I built my shop. Built a few cars in one. Not much space to move around.
I have a 30x30 shop which isn't really that big.
But I'm getting to old to work out in the cold now.

[BAILEIGH INC]

I live in the Detroit area, so I understand your issue. I did a lot of my work in the winter, and bent tubing outside. I put the bender into the hitch on my truck. It really doesn't take very long to actually bend the tube (using a manual bender). You spend a lot more time planning the bends and notching tube. Once you get a tube marked properly, it only takes a few minutes to make the bend. It would take less time if you have a degree wheel.


Ken

An easy solution to the problem! :idea:

[PhillipM]

The first bender that I borrowed hooked into a fork lift. This wasn't as convienet as I thought it would be cause I was always getting fluids from the lift on me. Ugh..

[BAILEIGH INC]

The first bender that I borrowed hooked into a fork lift. This wasn't as convienet as I thought it would be cause I was always getting fluids from the lift on me. Ugh..

This is a new one for me. Never heard of that before

[BAILEIGH INC]

Any other questions on bending tube? It is my area of expertise and would love to answer any questions you guys might have.

[kyphur]

I have a question about fabbing up a transmission crossmember. What thickness and diameter would you go with for like T-56 six speed transmission and do you think a 115v Lincoln would weld that up pretty well or should I go with a 220v?

Also what's the easiest setup for bending tubing if you're probably going to use it one time (like me building the crossmember)? I don't feel like spending a lot of money for a bender to use only once would be a great investment. :)

[Rick D]

I have a ? How much is the this software? "removed link non site sponsor"

And next question do you have any deals on used or scratch and dent manual benders?? Oh also where is your stuff made???

[BAILEIGH INC]

I have a ? How much is the this software?

And next question do you have any deals on used or scratch and dent manuel benders?? Oh also where is your stuff made???

Bend Tech Pro is $275 and bend tech SE is $399

Bend Tech Pro software is also very popular with the guys who are just getting started. It makes tube bending simple by allowing you to design your roll cage, rock crawler, racecar or chopper frame right on your computer screen. After designing your project, just click a button, and it will print out a build sheet for each tube. Showing you how long to cut your tube, where to start and stop your bends. It also will print out a notching wrapper as well. These make notching the ends of your tube simple and accurate. Just cut the wrapper out with a pair of scissors, wrap it around the end of your tube, trace it with a sharpie marker and notch your tube. When you are done, you will have a bunch of tube laying on the ground that will be bent and notched that will fit together perfectly.

All of our tube bender, notchers, power hammers and weld positioners are built right here in Wisconsin.

Yes, we do get scratch and dent machines from time to time.

[BAILEIGH INC]

I have a question about fabbing up a transmission crossmember. What thickness and diameter would you go with for like T-56 six speed transmission and do you think a 115v Lincoln would weld that up pretty well or should I go with a 220v?

Also what's the easiest setup for bending tubing if you're probably going to use it one time (like me building the crossmember)? I don't feel like spending a lot of money for a bender to use only once would be a great investment. :)

One time use tube bender? you might be better off finding a friend with a bender.

[BAILEIGH INC]

Any other questions on benders or bending?

[John Wright]

Are there acceptable angles that these sanctioning bodies like for you to stay within when bending up your own roll bar/cage? Seems there was a thread somewhere around here mentioning a limitation on certain angles on the bars going from the main hoop back through to the trunk/rear part of the frame.

[BAILEIGH INC]

Are there acceptable angles that these sanctioning bodies like for you to stay within when bending up your own roll bar/cage? Seems there was a thread somewhere around here mentioning a limitation on certain angles on the bars going from the main hoop back through to the trunk/rear part of the frame.


Not sure on that one.

[mac11]

Do you have dies for any of your manual benders that will do up to 3" thin wall tube? Was hoping to find one machine I could do cages, bumpers and exhausts.

thanks

mac

[BAILEIGH INC]

Do you have dies for any of your manual benders that will do up to 3" thin wall tube? Was hoping to find one machine I could do cages, bumpers and exhausts.

thanks

mac

Can't do exhaust on an open rotary draw bender. You would need a mandrel bender. $30,000 +

[mac11]

Can't do exhaust on an open rotary draw bender. You would need a mandrel bender. $30,000 +

bummer. but thanks for the info.

Just curious if I wanted to do an exhaust in the size that your machines specify why would i still not want to do it on that type?

[BAILEIGH INC]

bummer. but thanks for the info.

Just curious if I wanted to do an exhaust in the size that your machines specify why would i still not want to do it on that type?


The wall thickness is too thin. It would be like trying to bend a soda can with your fingers.

Rotary draw benders are designed for thicker wall material like roll cages and tube chassis.

[BAILEIGH INC]

Any other questions about tube bending? We are here to help.

[rixtrix1]

Hi, Shane. I'm going to be getting a tube bender of some kind shortly after the first of the year. The primary sizes I will be bending will be 1.75" and 1.625" , 0.125-0.134 MS tubing. Could you suggest a radius for the dies that will work easiest for most situations? Mostly doing roadrace and dragrace rollcages. Thanks

[redss86]

The wall thickness is too thin. It would be like trying to bend a soda can with your fingers.

Rotary draw benders are designed for thicker wall material like roll cages and tube chassis.

What if you filled the exhaust tube with sand? Would that work or not? I'm not sure if it would, and I don't have a tubing bender (would LOVE to have one) so I could not try it.

Just me thinking out loud,
:lurk:
Joe

[BAILEIGH INC]

Hi, Shane. I'm going to be getting a tube bender of some kind shortly after the first of the year. The primary sizes I will be bending will be 1.75" and 1.625" , 0.125-0.134 MS tubing. Could you suggest a radius for the dies that will work easiest for most situations? Mostly doing roadrace and dragrace rollcages. Thanks


1 5/8" x 6" CLR and 1 3/4" x 6.5" or 7" CLR are very common dies for your application.

[BAILEIGH INC]

What if you filled the exhaust tube with sand? Would that work or not? I'm not sure if it would, and I don't have a tubing bender (would LOVE to have one) so I could not try it.

Just me thinking out loud,
:lurk:
Joe

I have spoke with hundreds of guys who ask about filling exhaust tube with sand. I have yet to meet or talk with anyone who has done it successfully. Larger radius sand bending works OK, but tight header work does not.

Here is some more info for you.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293162&highlight=sand+bending

[rixtrix1]

Thanks for the info, Shane!

[BAILEIGH INC]

Thanks for the info, Shane!


Here to help

[jtomas801]

Sent a pm

Thanks,
Jon

[BAILEIGH INC]

Sent a pm

Thanks,
Jon

I sent you one as well....thanks!

[jtomas801]

I sent you one as well....thanks!


For some reason I didn't receive the pm, would you mind sending it again?

Thanks for your time,
Jon

[BAILEIGH INC]

For some reason I didn't receive the pm, would you mind sending it again?

Thanks for your time,
Jon


Did you get my new one?

[jtomas801]

Did you get my new one?


Sure did! Thanks again.

Jon

[RBARNES496]

Shane,
I thought i would take some time to give props to you guys. I bought a rdb-050 last week, your sales dept was great! Even better was the quality of the product. People dont mind paying more if they are getting something for it. Your bender delivered.
Keep up the good work.

[BAILEIGH INC]

Shane,
I thought i would take some time to give props to you guys. I bought a rdb-050 last week, your sales dept was great! Even better was the quality of the product. People dont mind paying more if they are getting something for it. Your bender delivered.
Keep up the good work.

Right on man.....thanks for the kind words.

Now lets see some bend pictures :kewlpics:

[fordsbyjay]

Hey Shane,

I was checking out the site and was looking for some prices.

SBR-5216

BB-4816E

Thanks

[BAILEIGH INC]

Hey Shane,

I was checking out the site and was looking for some prices.

SBR-5216

BB-4816E

Thanks


PM sent,

Thanks!

[John Wright]

I saw one of your machines on two guy's garage....looked like a nice piece of equipment

[TnBlkC230WZ]

I'm looking at the SBR-4020 3 in 1 machine. Will this machine handle to 16 guage mild steel or 20 gauge T304 if the pieces are only 24 inches wide or less. I really like the 5216, but I'm sure it is way to much for my garage.

Also, I've never seen a 3 in 1 machine in use. Do you have any videos of one being used.

[BAILEIGH INC]

I'm looking at the SBR-4020 3 in 1 machine. Will this machine handle to 16 guage mild steel or 20 gauge T304 if the pieces are only 24 inches wide or less. I really like the 5216, but I'm sure it is way to much for my garage.

Also, I've never seen a 3 in 1 machine in use. Do you have any videos of one being used.

Here is the video of the SBR-5216 http://www.bii1.com/videos/shear-brake-roll-sbr-5216-video.php

I dont thing the SBR-4020 would handle it, sorry.

[TnBlkC230WZ]

Here is the video of the SBR-5216 http://www.bii1.com/videos/shear-brake-roll-sbr-5216-video.php

I dont thing the SBR-4020 would handle it, sorry.

Thanks for the video. Any 5216's in the scratch and dent sale?

[BAILEIGH INC]

Thanks for the video. Any 5216's in the scratch and dent sale?


No, sorry. Not right now. We can't even keep them in stock.

They have been a good seller for us.

[fordsbyjay]

No, sorry. Not right now. We can't even keep them in stock.

They have been a good seller for us.

I can see why. You make the only one that is big enough for 16 gauge and 48" wide (that I have come across anyways).

[BAILEIGH INC]

I can see why. You make the only one that is big enough for 16 gauge and 48" wide (that I have come across anyways).


We should be getting them in next week

[BAILEIGH INC]

Ai designs will be picking up pour RDB-050

[RBARNES496]

Bent my 1st tube using your bender worked great! It is a reinforcement for the top subframe mount 1 piece got it done on the first try(amazingly enough). Got it coated in por-15 and ready to seal the cowl back up.


36715

[nique94]

what is the diameter on a 1 1/2 pipe bending die?

nas

[BAILEIGH INC]

Bent my 1st tube using your bender worked great! It is a reinforcement for the top subframe mount 1 piece got it done on the first try(amazingly enough). Got it coated in por-15 and ready to seal the cowl back up.


36715


Let's see some pics!

[fordsbyjay]

Let's see some pics!

There is a thumbnail picture there. Just click it and it will enlarge.

[BAILEIGH INC]

There is a thumbnail picture there. Just click it and it will enlarge.


Looks good, thanks!

(I thought that was an Avatar)

[nique94]

what is the diameter on a 1 1/2 pipe bending die?

[BAILEIGH INC]

what is the diameter on a 1 1/2 pipe bending die?


You would probably want to use tube instead of pipe.

The CLR is 5 on that die

[nique94]

i saw a 4'' CLR 1 1/2 pipe bending die today on protools.com and i have a 9 in. lathe so it would be perfect

any sugestions otherwise on this?

[BAILEIGH INC]

i saw a 4'' CLR 1 1/2 pipe bending die today on protools.com and i have a 9 in. lathe so it would be perfect

any sugestions otherwise on this?

Pipe and tube are 2 different things. You can get any size die made for your material, you just need to make sure you have enough wall thickness to support the bend.

[BAILEIGH INC]

C'mon guys....ask me anything about tube bending....anything.