 |
| PIPE BENDING |
| If you want to build your own trike frame and use tubular steel, you will have to hire or buy your own pipe bender. below v |
 |
| They start out at ten tons for a DIY job, and go all the way up to big-money professional rigs, some with a hydraulic motor. This one cost me one hundred and fifteen UK pounds, came with six formers ( the round thing on top of the jack ) and is as basic as it gets. THESE DIES CAN ONLY BE USED WITH PIPE. Tube is measured by it's outside diameter, and pipe by it's internal diameter. |
 |
| The rollers can be moved closer together or further apart, allowing for a tighter radius to be bent. Your piece of pipe is inserted beneath the rollers and in the former, remembering to leave your self enough metal sticking out the side to allow for shrinkage when the steel bends. When cutting your steel add an extra six inches per bend to allow for this shrinkage. Then pump the jack up to push the tube against the rollers, ensuring the metal is square in the rig. If you are using this particular model ( which is very common in the UK, and I know they are sold in the U.S. too) flat on the ground, the centre of the rollers and die are three and a quarter ( 3 1/4 ) inches from the ground. With the pipe in place, the 3 1/4 inches should be taken from the centre of the pipe, to the surface the bender is laying on. This is important to remember when you have to take the metal out to form a second bend in the same peice. Another tip is to either grind a notch or put a paint mark, or black magic marker stroke, in the exact centre of the curve of the die you are using, and align it with the mark on your metal. (See Below) V |
 |
 |
| Not a boomarang, but two 12inch rulers bolted together, to help you find the angle you want to bend. The picture to the right shows the rulers laid on top of the frame, ready for a 90* angle to be formed. |
 |
| Pump the handle and bend the metal untill you think it is aligned with the edges of the ruler, then give it 1 to 2 more strokes to "set " the metal. ^ |
 |
| The joined rulers come in handy when you want to make another bend of the same radius. Place them against the bend and then lay it on the bender again to get your ( hopefully ) identical bend. > To help you out, put a mark with either paint or pen, in the middle of the radius so that if you have to put the tube back in the bender you will know where it was the first time. See below. V |
| WARNING Do not expect to make perfect bends the first time. Like everything else in life it takes lots of practice. |
 |
| After some all-important practice you can start on your frame and even try bends in different directions! Remember only thick-walled seamless can be used as anything less will just crush. I have probably left loads out as I have learned this myself by trial and error, so if there is an easier way or you know some shortcuts, please e-mail me. Thanks. Doug. |
 |
 |
 |
| A very good site with information about frame building, and also tube bending, is this one by Blackjack. www.thefont.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bikes/index Also- www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index |