I suspect there will be an update here by tomorrow morning sometime with pics.
I suspect your right.
CK5
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'72 K5 - Greg's @MightAsWellK5 Build
- Thread starter Greg72
- Start date
This is the build description. I will improve this later. (GB)
I suspect your right.
2009.03.28 -UPDATE! - THE FINAL BENDER PART ARRIVES!!!
Welcome to Page 6!
I know sometimes I joke around about needing to get some friends, but the fact is that I've got some GREAT ones! Here's an example.... look what just showed up at my house last night:
Apparently my friends are also funnay! This package contains 36 Lbs of steel, but was still marked as "FRAGILE!"
Anyone want to see what's inside?
Scott (4X4HIGH) did all the background work to make this happen...
When I first got the hydro bender running, one of the things that I noticed was that the original two mounting holes for the bender arms didn't seem up to the task. The hole centers are only 2" apart, so there is very little ability to resist the shearing forces applied by the ram. Every time I'd initiate a bend, the entire bender head would shift about 1/2" and then once it "bound up" enough the tube would finally start to bend.
I sketched up a drawing of the ProTools main arms with an idea to add some additional length so that I could get the hole centers 12" apart instead of 2".... a change that should make the arms much more resistant to the forces of the ram. (There are actually 3 mounting holes now, the outer most are 12" apart) Additionally, since I'd moved my bender head to be at an angle to the frame structure I wanted the new arms to incorporate that angle as well. Scott took the drawings to a buddy of his, and they worked to get one of their uber "walk-in" CNC machines programmed with all the dimensions necessary.... they dropped in some 3/4" thick steel plate and pressed the "GO" button. A few hours later, this is what we had.
Scott even came up with a clever way to add some extra holes for pin storage on the long-edge of the arms. When unloading bent tube, it always seems like there's nowhere to put the drive pins and tube strap as they get removed. Now I've got a clever and efficient solution.
Serious props and thanks to Scott! He spent a lot of his own personal time helping me to get these machined and shipped.
This comes in the knick of time too, as the cagework and "transformer" projects are really starting to pick up speed. I'm slowing moving away from the idea of moveable tapered panels even though it was a fun idea.
Now, I'm working on a removeable tilt-front end that will be a lot simpler to build, and will beter preserve the original look of the truck. It's going to require me to fabricate a new core support and add extra structure in the engine compartment keep everything in place...so having my bender 100% functional is about to become really important.
Welcome to Page 6!
I know sometimes I joke around about needing to get some friends, but the fact is that I've got some GREAT ones! Here's an example.... look what just showed up at my house last night:
Apparently my friends are also funnay! This package contains 36 Lbs of steel, but was still marked as "FRAGILE!"
Anyone want to see what's inside?
Scott (4X4HIGH) did all the background work to make this happen...
When I first got the hydro bender running, one of the things that I noticed was that the original two mounting holes for the bender arms didn't seem up to the task. The hole centers are only 2" apart, so there is very little ability to resist the shearing forces applied by the ram. Every time I'd initiate a bend, the entire bender head would shift about 1/2" and then once it "bound up" enough the tube would finally start to bend.
I sketched up a drawing of the ProTools main arms with an idea to add some additional length so that I could get the hole centers 12" apart instead of 2".... a change that should make the arms much more resistant to the forces of the ram. (There are actually 3 mounting holes now, the outer most are 12" apart) Additionally, since I'd moved my bender head to be at an angle to the frame structure I wanted the new arms to incorporate that angle as well. Scott took the drawings to a buddy of his, and they worked to get one of their uber "walk-in" CNC machines programmed with all the dimensions necessary.... they dropped in some 3/4" thick steel plate and pressed the "GO" button. A few hours later, this is what we had.
Scott even came up with a clever way to add some extra holes for pin storage on the long-edge of the arms. When unloading bent tube, it always seems like there's nowhere to put the drive pins and tube strap as they get removed. Now I've got a clever and efficient solution.
Serious props and thanks to Scott! He spent a lot of his own personal time helping me to get these machined and shipped.
This comes in the knick of time too, as the cagework and "transformer" projects are really starting to pick up speed. I'm slowing moving away from the idea of moveable tapered panels even though it was a fun idea.
Now, I'm working on a removeable tilt-front end that will be a lot simpler to build, and will beter preserve the original look of the truck. It's going to require me to fabricate a new core support and add extra structure in the engine compartment keep everything in place...so having my bender 100% functional is about to become really important.
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Greg, did the package come to you with the "HEAVY" sticker on it? I did not put that sticker there so unless you were being "FUNNAY" that would have been a FedEx doings.
About the extra holes, that was your idea, i simply made sure of the placement of those holes.
Glad they arrived there "SAFE" and that you like them.
Just to make sure people understand these arms are 3/4" thick.
About the extra holes, that was your idea, i simply made sure of the placement of those holes.
Glad they arrived there "SAFE" and that you like them.
Just to make sure people understand these arms are 3/4" thick.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
The fedex guy will put those "heavy" stickers on after he's the first one to lift it and hurts his back.
Pretty cool, now I can wait to see it working on some real tube work...
Pretty cool, now I can wait to see it working on some real tube work...
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
You know, tilt front clip could allow you to tilt it right up and onto the floor with some small supports that keep it off the dirt and let you install and remove it with one person?
2009.04.10 - UPDATE! A LITTLE PAINTWORK...
I've been really short on time recently, so about the only thing I've been able to accomplish was getting the new bender arms mounted. It required a few changes to the existing base, and I still need to re-mount the hydro controller.
A few coats of some Eastwood paint, and some Chevy Orange and here's what we've got!
I decided to paint the tube strap orange too, since I can never seem to find it once I disassemble the bent parts!
I've been really short on time recently, so about the only thing I've been able to accomplish was getting the new bender arms mounted. It required a few changes to the existing base, and I still need to re-mount the hydro controller.
A few coats of some Eastwood paint, and some Chevy Orange and here's what we've got!
I decided to paint the tube strap orange too, since I can never seem to find it once I disassemble the bent parts!
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ChefBear
1/2 ton status
Awesome! Can't wait to see the cage work.
Your leaving tools on the floor now is this my influence?
Your leaving tools on the floor now is this my influence?
Your leaving tools on the floor now is this my influence?
The floor of my garage has more tools than my tool box.
A few coats of some Eastwood paint, and some Chevy Orange and here's what we've got!
I decided to paint the tube strap orange too, since I can never seem to find it once I disassemble the bent parts!
That's a great idea with the orange!!
I need to do that with mine. I'm always looking right past the strap and dropping the pins on my feet.Now you need to come up with a better pointer setup that I can copy. Make sure you keep it simple because my attention span isn't the best.
Looks good Greg. So did you paint those new arms or is that bare steel with a clear?
Painted them. Ran out of the dark grey I was using on the stand, so I used a lighter one for the arms... I think it came out nicer with two different shades anyway.
It getting close.....so very close to being finished.
It getting close.....so very close to being finished.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
It looks very nice. I admit I'm jealous.
wish I had a bender like that. Ill use muscles for now.
I certainly hope you at least have a manual bender otherwise if you're using just muscles to bend tube i wouldn't want to run into you in a dark alley.
I certainly hope you at least have a manual bender otherwise if you're using just muscles to bend tube i wouldn't want to run into you in a dark alley.
lol, im 6' 165, there is just no way unless I use a 7" breaker bar like Greg
. Although I don't own one, between 3 friends we have a couple manual benders and a few dies. Wish I had a setup like Greg's, that is one serious bender.RudyO
1/2 ton status
Updates? It's been awhile...
VTBlazer came down last weekend and we used the new bender to make him some front shock hoops, and a few tire chocks for his motorcycle trailer.
That's about all the time I've had in the manspace lately. I'm embroiled in another house-related project that's going to eat up the next couple of weeks, so you guys are going to have to be as patient as me about a lack of progress/updates.
VTBlazer came down last weekend and we used the new bender to make him some front shock hoops, and a few tire chocks for his motorcycle trailer.
That's about all the time I've had in the manspace lately. I'm embroiled in another house-related project that's going to eat up the next couple of weeks, so you guys are going to have to be as patient as me about a lack of progress/updates.
I was starting to think does he have a life outside his man space? does he have a wife, anything else, hobby, house to work on...
Now I see you do.
I have all the space I need and all the tools I want, and I haven't been able to do even simple routine maintenance on my vehicles because of the household repairs, the time I spend with my wife and kid, and the time I work.
