Pipe benders?

[stinkwheel]

I'm going to be wanting to make several parts for my latest enfield project such as mudguard stays, rear subframe, rear carrier, possibly some footpeg hangers/brake lever etc.

Since I can't TIG and don't have a TIG welder, best thing to make them from would be steel tube. Just need to be able to bend it relatively neatly.

Anyone reckon I'll get away with one of those handheld plumbers pipe benders? Probably be looking at 15mm mild steel tube with a 1 or 1.5mm wall.

I'm currently swithering between buying one of those or hiring a proper one for a weekend.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

For how often you'd use it I'd hire one.
£30 ish.
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[recman]

Or get one of the spring type jobbies, if you're careful they're pretty good and give you bit more room for creativity.

[Bhud]

I haven't tried it, but I don't think it's the sort of tool you want. I have some 2mm-thick 20mm diameter steel tubing laying around, and there is no chance a plumbers pipe bending tool could do anything to it. Absolutely no chance at all. Bending it would require tremendous force. I don't know about 1mm tubing, but from playing around with mild steel sheets, when flat, the stuff can be bent easily by hand, and then, when it has a bend in it, it's really strong. A section of 1mm pipe has that bend strength in all directions. I believe motorcycle tanks are usually about 1.5mm thick (16-gauge), with the strength provided by the bends and folds in them.

[grr666]

[ThatDippyTwat]

Fill with dry sand, tape off ends, bend. I used the garden fence with decent results, I imaging a bender, however crap, would do a decent enough job with sand in the pipe.
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[Riejufixing]

[mentalboy]

I'm not sure the jigs for a copper pipe bender would be up to the job of bending steel tube, one of those gizmo's for bending rebar might do the trick though.
Sand fill sounds like a natty trick to reduce flattening on the curve.
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[grr666]

[Sister Sledge]

Just don't do it the way Delboy did it!
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[Polarbear]

[stinkwheel]

Well the broad church of opinion seems to be falling firmly on hiring one. They do conduit benders at most hire shops.

I'm looking to fabricate stuff like this (not necessarily chrome):

https://www.feked.com/images/detailed/50/IMG_4754.jpg
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MCN]

Stainless is a bitch to work with as the chemistry inside it make it work harden by just looking at it the wrong way. It has also been formed into a tube so will have very minimal elastic or ductile properties.
As Polar sez, a hyd. bender is best. Still hand held but the fluid is your lever and more mechanical advantage to bend stiff pipe.
Stainless never has tight bends like copper of mild steel can as it can tear or fail when work beyond its limit.


And a spring bender is only good for copper as steel pipe will compress too much to get the spring out easily.

Hydraulic is the way.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[WD Forte]

Pipe bendin tools?
jeez, what bunch of shirt liftin jessies you all are
Roll up yer sleeves and do it like real men!

https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.4U51axXO4vZYeX9mG8wgBwHaFc%26pid%3DApi&f=1
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[MCN]

[Evil Hans]

[Riejufixing]

Oh, I can't stand the pain. 1) Go to Screwfix. 2) Buy a bender suitable for 15mm stainless tube (min. ~£40). 3) Take it home. 4) Experiment on some scrap. 5) Keep it if it's suitable, or take it back for a refund if it isn't suitable.

[bugeye_bob]

https://www.amazon.com/Pedestal-Compact-Bender-Bending-Fabrication/dp/B00HZ5THRU


As they sell this as a bender, A conduit bender is more than up to the job, but isnt fixed down, so invite a few "larger" mates round to stand on the front foot, as you bend(pull towards you) the front lifts, it can be a pain with 25mm at times.https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61As-lwtOmL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

[mentalboy]

[Bhud]

[WD Forte]

these are only £82 quid
OK probly from u no where but
I'd guess It's OK for hobby use and less then a weekends hire cost
and you can take your time playing with it without extra hire charges

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydraulic-Pipe-Bender-Tube-Bending-Manual-Heavy-Duty-Exhaust-Pipe-Tubing-Machine/273949098663?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40733%26meid%3D9e3f98431a894b8cb41549fbb6ed400e%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D223691639239%26itm%3D273949098663%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
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[MCN]

[Polarbear]

I used to bend stainless steel pipe all the time on LNG ships as that was what all the cargo piping was made out of. 316 grade as well, rather than the bog standard 304.

It's perfectly workable with a decent pipe bender as long as you get the bend radius correct.
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[stinkwheel]

It was interesting to note that Yoshimura used to bend their exhausts manually, using heat and patience.

Hydrogen torch?

https://youtu.be/v8mMQbEkr8w
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Bhud]