The Official Tube Bending Thread

[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!

[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.