Model Engine Maker
Help! => Hints, Tips & Tricks => Topic started by: Gas_mantle on September 01, 2017, 05:47:37 PM
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Hi,
Can anyone please offer tips on how they accurately bend small copper pipe ?
I'm trying to put a few 90o bends in 5/32 pipe and although I'm using bending springs every bend seems to have a slightly different radius :( I'm heating the copper to ensure it is soft but still struggle to get matching results.
Is it simply a case of practice improves the results or is there some aid / technique that would help ?
Thanks
Peter.
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Some time ago a set of nifty but very effective benders for small dia. tube were shown by, I think, Chuck Fellows.
Not too sure, maybe someone else remembers them or perhaps PM chuck.
Dave
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I've got one of these and it works well...
https://www.harborfreight.com/1-8-eighth-inch-to-1-4-quarter-inch-tube-bender-94571.html
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Here are some plans that George Britnell posted a while back also:
http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,6789.msg138982.html#msg138982
Bill
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Thanks guys,
I looked at the kind of thing Marv suggested but the usual big sellers in the UK don't seem to have much below about 6mm dia - there are a few brake pipe benders but nothing to suit 5/32. If I can find something at a reasonable price I'll buy one but if not I'll look at trying to make something as suggested.
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I think this refers:
http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,9.msg3413.html#msg3413
But it's got the PB problem ... :Mad:
Dave
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Try Marv's recommended fix that he posted today tor firefox. It just worked for me.I did something very similar to what Chuck did when bending the 1/16" OD copper tubes for the half scale Rudy's Radial build and it worked perfectly for me.
Bill
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Some years ago I designed and built a versatile bender that would bend any tube, up to 1/8" steel strip and sq section, provided a simple former was made for each application. It was well received on the MECH forum, and was published as a paid article in Model Engineers Workshop magazine.
I've got a pdf somewhere of the drawing if anyone wants to have a go at it!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4342/36155059563_67cf8800a6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/X5U8zV)Bender (https://flic.kr/p/X5U8zV) by inkaboat (https://www.flickr.com/photos/28837250@N07/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4384/36824099251_b51911a279_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Y728LX)benderBase (https://flic.kr/p/Y728LX) by inkaboat (https://www.flickr.com/photos/28837250@N07/), on Flickr
John
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Try Marv's recommended fix that he posted today tor firefox. It just worked for me.I did something very similar to what Chuck did when bending the 1/16" OD copper tubes for the half scale Rudy's Radial build and it worked perfectly for me.
Bill
Not working for me :'( I'm on FF 55.0.2 says for 57+ :headscratch:
What level do you have?
D.
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Try Marv's recommended fix that he posted today tor firefox. It just worked for me.I did something very similar to what Chuck did when bending the 1/16" OD copper tubes for the half scale Rudy's Radial build and it worked perfectly for me.
Bill
Not working for me :'( I'm on FF 55.0.2 says for 57+ :headscratch:
I'm on 53.30 and it works just fine for me. Debian Jessie, TDE desktop.
What level do you have?
D.
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Some years ago I designed and built a versatile bender that would bend any tube, up to 1/8" steel strip and sq section, provided a simple former was made for each application. It was well received on the MECH forum, and was published as a paid article in Model Engineers Workshop magazine.
I've got a pdf somewhere of the drawing if anyone wants to have a go at it!
John
Yes, I would like a copy of the .pdf when you find it.
Thanks
Thomas
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Working just fine on 55.0.3.
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Dubro brand ......5/32" and 1/8" OD tube benders......about $15.00 each......for brass and copper tube.....multiple totally repeatable bends for any steam plant ....[the pre annealing :Mad: is absolutely critical]
Brass, anneal 2 or 3 times during a 90 degree bend.....crinkle free.....
[I found the K&S x 0.014" wall brass tube to have this ~~90 degree limitation before crinkle deformation]
Copper, anneal 2 or 3 times during a 180 degree bend.....crinkle free....
The aluminium handles unscrew from the former body to allow for two close spaced compound bends
Worth ever penny :Love:
Derek
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Those look very handy indeed!
John
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This method comes with a warning,
Please think on ventilation for the below method. :???:
K&S metals sell plastic rod that is the same OD as the ID of copper tubing. Simply cut the copper pipe to length required plus an inch to allow for each bend. Anneal the pipe, and allow it to cool, insert the rod into the tube and form the bends required with a round bar of your chosen diameter, smaller the diameter the sharper the bend can be. Even multiple bends can be formed in this way the plastic rod acting as a support for the tube. When done cut to final size, and burn the plastic out with a flame. (Hence the warning) forms very neat bends that retain their round shape. A tiny bit of local heat may be need to soften the plastic where the bend will be, but not too much mind. Especially if using your fingers.