Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: wildwood on February 12, 2010, 01:50:21 PM

Title: Tube bending
Post by: wildwood on February 12, 2010, 01:50:21 PM
I am about to start another 'tube project' this time a spare wheel and tyre carrier based on the 'rear stinger' type but simpler.
I am using 45mm x3mm or is that 1 and 3/4' x120 wall .

Question is that without the wedge for imported tube bender can this be done with 'Clarke' or whoever generic pipe bender. I seem to remember that there is a certain size that fits one of the pipe bender dies that actually makes a passable bend without flattening the inner too much.

Any ideas or experience of this any Birty?
Title: Re: Tube bending
Post by: Dave69 on February 12, 2010, 02:04:46 PM
JJ might be able to point you in the right direction or at least Asylum or Warthog
Title: Re: Tube bending
Post by: isle of man on February 12, 2010, 02:19:03 PM
I'm with Dave you could also ask Si Redmond.
Title: Re: Tube bending
Post by: JamesH on February 12, 2010, 02:54:24 PM
I read about a cage done for an XJ on Pirate where the guy used a hydraulic push type bender like the one you have in mind. He said it was very slow and needed to fill the tube with sand and cap the ends when doing bends.

A pic:
(https://birtydastards.com/frm/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi54.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg117%2FEnglishXJ%2FXJcage.jpg&hash=408ed4a198a139e2a2e64197a11004d05ce037b4)


His quote:
"Oh... and for all the haters, did the entire cage with a cheapo HF bender. Its a mixture of tube and pipe... main hoops and all "critical" members are 2" .120 HREW and the rest is a mix of 1.25 & 1.5 sch 40. Not the easiest way to go for doing bending tubing but can be done by modifying the dies, packing tube with sand and taking your time, no kinks what so ever."

And a link to the thread:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557715 (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557715)
Title: Re: Tube bending
Post by: Warthog on February 12, 2010, 08:01:26 PM
Before you go down the path a Clarke special. Take into consideration buying a second hand good quality make option. But I would highly recommend one of these:

http://www.jd2.com/shop/ (http://www.jd2.com/shop/)

If you call the guys from www.tubela.com (http://www.tubela.com) (UK based) They will sell you one of these, they also have available all the dies that can be purchased for it.

Get this bit of software; http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/prod02.htm (http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/prod02.htm)

Then the worlds your oyster :icon_super:

The JD2 aint cheap, but you wont regret the purchase. The software will really help you visualise your tube work.

Hope that helps

Title: Re: Tube bending
Post by: Tragic on February 12, 2010, 08:03:22 PM
you could also ask Si Redmond.

Si's not on Birtys, but I am :003:
We started off with a cheapo Clarke bender with some varied results, we built the tree cages on mine and Dugly's YJs along with a few other odds and sods. 1 1/2 was about a big as we could go without trashing the tube. Very slow going and very difficult to bend decent curves.
So we got a 'proper' tube bender (can't remember what make or model, got it from the States), and now we will bend absolutely anything! :003: :003:
It's simple, quick, doesn't damage the tube and will bend 1 3/4x.120 all day long.
We also have 1 1/2" and 2" dies, a vivid imagination and lots of fab work ahead.......

IMHO, don't waste your time with cheapo shit, man up and do it properly :icon_super:
Title: Re: Tube bending
Post by: wildwood on February 12, 2010, 08:30:59 PM
Thanks guys it's what I expected really......     
Warthog,  the site you mentioned has very similar kit to that of 'Rock Buggy Supplies' that Si (I think ) used
So....... that's the route then..... and they're in Dunmow...... down the road a piece......

Just got to get the wedge together..... :icon_sad:

So in the mean time I shall be planning the 6"-7" stretch using the same RE 4.5" lift springs that I run... lots of 6mm plate and lots of straight lines.... :icon_super: