Tubing Bender on loan from Tim

By popular request we sorted out a tubing bender for the Metal shop. @TBJK was kind enough to loan his for the cause.

We’re still needing to make a class for it, but the minimum will be a spot train similar to the cold cut saw. However, I’m planning on offering some classes for it that go into more detail like planning bends and practical applications.

There is a todo list for it currently:

  • replace the air hose on the drive (current one has developed a leak)
  • add a Return Spring
  • setup a cabinet for the non-committee, but locked supplies such as the dies (currently they are in the committee storage). This will be done like Laser and 3d fab do for supplies
  • acquire more dies

Currently we have the following dies:

  • 2"
  • 1.5"
  • 1" pipe

Cheers,
-Jim

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Thank you, Tim! @TBJK
This is a tool that has been kicked around the block several (hundred?) times in my time @ DMS.
Let’s make some wonderful stuff, people!

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Also, just throwing this out there, this guy’s videos (especially these early ones) are, in my uneducated, inexperienced opinion, very informative regarding calculating lengths, bends, etc. and might serve a valid purpose for “the basics” classes…

Also, what’s the difference between “pipe” and “tubing”, and when do you use what die (clearly, we’ll effemup; just look at the tubing roller dies!)

Maybe we should buy the dies and just use Tim’s bender …

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considering we already have some dies for his bender, and his was a kit that should he ever take it back we can build in-house, we decided to just buy the same type of dies. I need to call the supplier.

Pipe is for flow of material, and measured by the Inside Diameter (ID). Pipe is just to get a liquid, gas, or particulate matter from point A to B. Strength ratings of interest will be for things like pressure internally or temperature. Plumbing for water, air, and chemicals will use pipes.

Tubing is meant to be structurally supportive, and not so much for transport of a medium. It is measured in both the Outer Diameter (OD) and the Wall Thickness. For example, I recently purchased some 1.25"ODx0.085" Chromoly tubing. This has an outer diameter of 1.25" and a wall thickness of 0.085". Tubing will have a variety of wall thicknesses for a given diameter, to balance cost/weight with strength where needed. The relevant specs of note for tubing will be physical properties such as tensile strength.

Simple, what size tubing do you have on hand when bending :slight_smile:

Cheers,
-Jim

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Pipe is sold by Schedule. They are similar in construction. ERW tubing however is the weaker of Pipe, DOM Tubing & ERW. The difference on the DOM is it starts as ERW & is pulled through a mandrel to give a uniform shape & thickness. The seem virtually visually disappears in the process.

We do need to get some angle finders & a no-dog for it. I don’t feel like parting with mine.

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thanks tim

Just to clarify, I was not asking, so much as suggesting bullet points for training materials. Looks like we have our first 2… :+1:

I’d very much be interested in a tubing bender class.

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id like to attend a class also

what size dies does the makerspace have?

1.25", 1.5", 2" tubing dies
a 1" pipe die

I have used a tubing bender before but need to get signed off to use it. I will donate $25 to metal shop.