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Tube bender question

bamabaja

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Messages
723
Loc.
The Shoals
Buying JB2 Model 3 bender. For learning purposes on simple cage, what length centerline die, and 90 or 180 ? Thanks.
 

SteveL

Huge chevy guy
Joined
Jun 24, 2001
Messages
11,609
Loc.
Hawthorne ca
I went 180 for versatility. Also when I ordered there were 2 radius options. I went with the tighter bend
 

Hozr

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 15, 2011
Messages
1,434
Loc.
Oly, WA
Figure out the diameter and wall thickness of the tube first then you can figure bend radius. As stated go 180 degree and don't look back.

You can save money on your test bends using HREW as opposed to DOM tubing.

Steel is getting DAMN expensive these days.
 

Apogee

Contributor
Bronco Guru
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Nov 26, 2005
Messages
6,033
The tighter the bend radius, the easier it is to design around IMO, however it depends a little on what you intend to make. Sometimes I could see it nice being able to make the same bend radius with a 1.5, 1.75 and 2 inch tube. That said, I'm pretty sure both my 2" and 1.75" inch dies are 6 inch.

The dies will have their minimum wall thickness typically determined by the bend radius. For example, a 2" die with a 6 inch bend radius must be used with .120" wall tubing, whereas the 7" die works with .095" as well IIRC.
 
OP
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bamabaja

bamabaja

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Sr. Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Messages
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The Shoals
Anyone ever tried mock-up using pvc with heat gun ? I have bent pvc this way for various projects but never using die.
 

hyghlndr

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Jan 19, 2009
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Hockessin, Delaware
Old school is chalk on the floor drawn out. I would go for the 180 and not 90 degree, more options down the line. Also always worth looking on Craigslist too.
 

SteveL

Huge chevy guy
Joined
Jun 24, 2001
Messages
11,609
Loc.
Hawthorne ca
I fabbed mine out of 3/4" emt. The outer radius of the 3/4 hand bender was about the same as the 2"die. Using set screw couplings I was able to adjust heights and front to rear distance.
 

millerpz

Newbie
Joined
Sep 21, 2012
Messages
17
You'll want the CLR of the die to be approximately 3x the tube diameter. So for 1.75, you want a die of 5.25 or greater. Die's of a CLR smaller than 3x tend to crush the tube more, don't look as good and it may decrease strength.
 
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