Bending metal rod ??????

Re: Bending metal rod ?????? *LINK*

John McGaw

>There are any number of jigs and tools on the market for bending wire but I'm concerned that the ID you are aiming for seems very tight for 1/8" rod and might make the job difficult without heating the material first.

Here is a sample of the inexpensive jigs:


Jig From Lee Valley Tools

You're right

Phil Joines Krum Texas

>It is tough. I'm using a pair of round nose pliers (ground fron some needle nose) and my hands. 10 done and a blister already.

I don't think the LV jig is heavy enough. What I'd like to fine is one with a bending handle.

How about a couple of 3/8"

Don Henthorn

>bolts through a 2" X 6" clamped to the bench. Put the end of the rod between the two bolts and bend.

Oops!! Should have read more closely.

Don Henthorn

>

Re: Bending metal rod ??????

Eddie Pacheco, San Jose, Ca.

>Purchase a 3/16" x 3/4" - 1" dowell pin and drill a hole for it at least 1/2" deep in either a piece of hard wood or metal. Insert the dowell pin into this and use it as a mandrel to bend your 1/8" rod around. You'll still have to use pliers for this, but at least you can use regular pliers. If you use two dowell pins spaced 1/8" from side to side the 2nd pin can trap the 1/8" rod and allow you to bend it with greater ease. Is there a chance you can heat the rod a bit to help in bending it?

may work

bill tindal, E.TN

>the following works for somewhat larger loops. Clamp two 3/36" bolts, or other rod shape, vertically in a vise 1/8" apart. Slip the end of the to- be- bent 1/8" rod between the vertical bolts/rods and bend the loop.

Alternatively, clamp a 3/16" (may in fact need something smaller because of spring back) bolt vertically in vise. Grab each end of the 1/8" rod and bend it around the vertical rod/bolt. Trim one end to make the closed loop and bend this end to make the end even with the plane of the loop. This approach wastes a bit of the rod in trimmings.

I made coat hangers for Christmas presents using these techniques, but the bend was of course bigger.

IF you look....

Mark Goodall - ATL - tooljunkie

>If you look at the Lee Valley jig, which may not be string enough for you, or the various pipe/rod bending tools for $100 at HarborFreigth or NothernTool (too big), you might be able to take the concept and make a jig that will suit you.

I'm thinking a piece of aluminum (1/2"-3/4" thick x 6" x 6") or steel 1/2" thick from the scrap (drop) room from Metal Supermarkets. Then drill a couple of straticically placed holes into the plate and insted some steel dowels, then bend, much like the larger jigs do.

Just a thought.

Happy Woodworking!

Re: Bending metal rod ??????

Larry in NW Ohio

>Phil How long does the rod have to be when done. I just measured an eye screw and it is just the right size you ask for, but of course the screw is only an inch long. Any help there. Larry in NW Ohio

Re: Bending metal rod ??????

Barry Irby

>I used the "two bolts" method described by others but with a twist. (Sorry, never miss a good opportunity for a bad pun)

Clamp a 3/16 rod and a 3/16 rod or plate 1/8� apart in a vice with the rod being tall and the plate or other rod being shorter. Capture the part you want to bend between them and bend it. The one being shorter allows you to go past it and go several turns if you like.

You can also make or buy a bending tool that will help. The same setup described, but you make a handle that has a 3/16 hole in it and a pin about 1/8� away. You capture the rod you are bending and put the handle over the taller pin. The pin in the vice projects through the hole in the handle and serves as a pivot. The pin in the handle then �Pushes� the rod around the circle.

I can�t remember why now, but somewhere in my checkered past I made about a thousand of something and used this technique. They were �spiraled� when they came of the jig, and I hammered them flat. The rods and handle need to be of better �stuff� than the rod you are bending.

Found some tools maybe

Phil Joines Krum Texas

>Wholesale Tools has a Coil Winder and a Wire Bender. There wern't any discriptions but for less than $10 for both I figured I try them. I'll post the results.