Hydro Bender build thread (finally)

[cuervo]

Well, I finally cleared my plate and got started on the hydro bender. I've ripped most of the design from the the other two that are on the web. Once I'm done I complete the write up and links to the other benders.

I started by setting up the lower arm of the bender on the ship channel. One thing that wasn't clear from the other writeup was how far in the arm should be.

I figured out from trial and error that it should be in far enough to allow room for the outter support to be welded in, as this next photo shows.

I marked and drilled holes for the arms on my drill press. They are 3/4 inch and are 2 inches apart.

I mounted the bender arms up and check to make sure the bender would operate at this location. I was pretty sure I was good, since I already drilled the holes.

And a look from the other end.

I'm at a stopping point since I need to either buy or make a spacer for the working end of the ram. The ram has an ID of 1 inch and the hole on the arm is only 1/2 inch. I know on the other hydro bender they builder just drilled out the arm. When I look at it is just seems like that is removing to much material from the arm.





But that's it for now. Once I get this figured out (and the Daytona 500 is over, I'll get back at it).

 

[Captainfab]

You could always sleeve the end of the ram with a piece of DOM.

 

[cuervo]

I did do just that. I just took a solid piece of 1 inch round stock and bored a 1/2 inch hole in it with my buddies lathe. I got the back end of the ram set up and mark for the rear hole and ran a drill on it. I also got the top support plate mark and ready to drill that out.

I don't have any transfer punches so what I did was take set the ship channel on the upper support and put the sleeve I made in the hole. Then I just took a 1/2 inch drill bit and mark the bottom support.

I've got photos of it all but I'm making dinner for my daughter right now.

I guess I should have stated this in the first post but, I don't expect to do anything ground-breaking with this. I'm just trying to detail it a little better for the next guy to build one.

 

[Captainfab]

When you locate the stationary end of your cylinder, make sure you get sufficient angle between the ram and the swing arms. Earlier today Greg72 expressed some concerns with this on his newly completed hydro conversion, as well as another member over on Offroadfabnet with a similar problem. I don't know what the majical angle is, but I just thought I'd mention it. Hopefully you see this before you get the mount welded up.

 

[cuervo]

While I never completed this write up I did complete the bender.

It works rather well and I've got no issues with bind up on the RAM.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Looks great. Something I still need to do someday, too many projects going right now though. How much ya got into it?

 

[greywolf]

more pics please

 

[offroadblazer764x4]

That thing looks great

How do I order mine

 

[63chevyll]

Bump for a reminder

 

[cuervo]

Bump for a reminder

Hopefully before the end of the year.

 

[cuervo]

Well, I never did get a write-up done on this and someone ask about it again.

Here's a link to one of the conversions I used for input.

http://reference.toolandfab.com/writeups/hydrobender_webpage/index.htm

Here is the other.

http://www.mindspring.com/~jayk5/bender/