Pipe kinker

[NV_K5]

A few years ago I bought a Harbor Freight type pipe bender. I attempted to use it several times with some tubing that I bought and I figured that because of the size differences between tubing and pipe sizes explained the kinking of the tube.

Friday I bought some sched 40, 1" (1.315" OD) pipe to build a frame for the seats that I bought from the thread about cheap seats etc. Well the POS still only kinks the pipe as soon as it begins to look like an intentional bend.

I know some of you have had success bending pipe with these things, any suggestions would be appreciated. Of course some of you are going to post that you wouldn't be caught dead using THAT bender, others "Why pipe?" That's not the point and I'm ok with an ass chewing or constructive criticism when applicable, but not today.

 

[NV_K5]

One suggestion was to watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWT3N3m4bE4&feature=related Haven't tried it yet.

 

[johnathan]

Try filling with wet sand and just tape the ends yeah like that video

 

[Brady]

I think the most important info he gave was that they spent the time to grind the dies to fit the tubing correctly.That is the problem most have is trying to bend tube with it.When the dies are made to fit pipe.I don't know why they don't make some dies that fit tubing fot it.They would sell like hotcakes.

 

[Sandman]

Put the rollers all the way out and lube it all up with WD40 or something. With the rollers all the way out, you should be able to pump it the full range with shedule 40. Once its peaked, move the rollers in one notch and I think its around 20 pumps or so for a full 90 degree bend.

The trick is in the WD40.

 

[howdiy]

I'm thinking about polishing the dies. They are pretty rough from the factory. I noticed after some use it worked a little better.

I think the paint on the pipe is a problem also.

Heres 1 1/4

I had some dents from the rollers but other than that I'm decently happy with it

 

[dhcomp]

I'm thinking about polishing the dies. They are pretty rough from the factory. I noticed after some use it worked a little better.

I think the paint on the pipe is a problem also.

Heres 1 1/4

I had some dents from the rollers but other than that I'm decently happy with it

I think you tire is going to hit that driverside bumper end

But seriously, that looks pretty good! Good work.

 

[NV_K5]

Howdiy, I'd be happy as a clam at hightide if I could get that result.

After a few failed attempts I pulled the die out, filed the paint out of the majority of the die and and wire wheeled the rest. It's smooth as pot metal can get. Also I used 1/2 a can of WD-40 for 6 attempts.

As you may be able to tell, I'm a little frustrated; but please offer up your suggestions.

 

[Cornfield creations]

I'm not sure what type of bender you're using. But take for instance bending exhaust tubing. You need enough pressure on the back shoes to keep from kinking the tubing. Imagine the back shoes wrapping the tube around the center shoe, but at the same time the center shoe needs enough pressure to press the tube into the back shoes. Also the different types of tubing make a huge difference. Polish the shoes and lube them will help.

 

[NV_K5]

The suspect: If not this exact kinker, then it's evil twin.

 

[howdiy]

I moved it around a few times to bend it. I bent it about 25 degrees, then moved it an inch or two and did a little more, I did this until I got the angle I wanted. I had probably 3 or 4 bend spots.

 

[boise k5]

I had the same bender and actually made a few decent bends with it. The single biggest factor with mine was the pipe, not the bender. I cant remember if the U.S. made pipe bent better or the China made stuff, but that was the factor for mine, I will look and see if I have any of it layin around still to make sure. But I am sure it was the country of origin of manufacture that mine did not like, one bent really clean and one kinked every time. I was also bending 2"sch. 40.

 

[NV_K5]

Pound Sand or Pack Sand?

So this weekend I attempted to kink some more pipe and what do you know I was successful at ruining more pipe.

I took about 15 feet of what I had left from earlier attempts and as above,



stuck it to the house filled the thing with water then added sand, let sit for about an hour and topped it off.

Taped the open end and began to ruin more of it. using this POS:

So as with all good posts not only have I given you lots of pictures but I have learned a lesson for you. No I cannot bend pipe (nor tubing) with this type of cheap ass bender. Make me an offer if you think you can

 

[howdiy]

You can't do a bend just in one spot

My dies seem to be a lot bigger though

 

[NV_K5]

I tried moving it after a few pumps to keep the arch going. all it did was slip back into the original slot and generally pinch my hand in the mean time. I hate this thing!

 

[Sandman]

Whats the thickness of that pipe? If its too thin it will do that. I'll compare it to the stuff that I have that bends good.

I built this front bumper with it and the rear bumper. The rear has 80 degree bends and it came out good.

Also bent the bars here for the rocker guards:

 

[brian wafer]

i never bent with sand ,but was told you have to weld one end off pipe completely. and on the other end after filling with fine dry sand (sandblast!) you need to make like a press with a threaded rod and put pressure on the sand with a wrench,and then you bend.

 

[blazinzuk]

i never bent with sand ,but was told you have to weld one end off pipe completely. and on the other end after filling with fine dry sand (sandblast!) you need to make like a press with a threaded rod and put pressure on the sand with a wrench,and then you bend.

Yep the sand has to be super compressed in there

Pm Sandman I have seen his bends and they are just fine.

 

[Sandman]

OK, I just looked at what I use and its Schedule 40 pipe for the bumpers.

Here you get pipe measured on the Inside Diameter or ID. I get 1 and 3/8" ID schedule 40 pipe.

It has a wall thickness of about .1345 (or 10 GA).

This gives you an outside diameter of about 1/16" under 1 and 3/4". So I just use the 1.75" Die for the bender and go for it.

Putting the rollers all the way out I can get like a 72 degree bend or something like that before the jack maxes out.

I dont do the water or the sand trick. Man, that would take forever!

 

[6.2Blazer]

The kinked pipe looks like what happens when you try bend really thin walled stuff, like exhaust pipe, with these things. Both myself and couple of guys in our club have bent schedule 40 pipe with decent success to borderline 90 degrees. They aren't perfect mandrel bends but you have to look pretty close to tell. I've also use 1 5/8" HREW tube that is almost identical to 1 1/4" pipe with decent success.