Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: gerard on November 30, 2017, 06:09:41 pm

Title: Bending Tools
Post by: gerard on November 30, 2017, 06:09:41 pm
Hi all, I am going to purchase tools to bend brass rod and brass tube to make guard rails for the Tamar I am building. Can you suggest which tools would be the best to buy to do these two jobs, hope you can help as there are so many out there.
 Gerard
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: ballastanksian on November 30, 2017, 08:59:57 pm
The bending springs seem to be a bad idea as you cannot easily get them off the pipe/rod after bending without somewhat straightening the work to remove said spring! Have a look in this month's Model Boats as Richard Simpson has an article on pipe bending etc.

Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: derekwarner on November 30, 2017, 09:37:41 pm
Gerard.....

If using 1/8" or 5/32" OD brass tube, these Du-Bro benders are excellent....about $25.00 each.....but are capable or repeated radius bends

In both sizes, the aluminium legs unscrew from the body, this allows you to be more inventive with tube sets

There are threads on tube bending & annealing etc

PS...I agree with Ian ..the spring sets  <*< are just a waste of money

Derek
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: Baldrick on December 01, 2017, 08:33:01 am
The bending springs seem to be a bad idea as you cannot easily get them off the pipe/rod after bending without somewhat straightening the work to remove said spring! Have a look in this month's Model Boats as Richard Simpson has an article on pipe bending etc.


 The method of bending with springs is that you overbend about 10deg and then back off to the angle you want . This is how they work to release the spring, same with internal springs for larger plumbing sizes. A bit of annealing in the bend area will help if necessary
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: roycv on December 01, 2017, 09:03:46 am
Hi, do not forget to anneal the brass rod first, if you do this and let it cool you can easily bend it with fingers.  I still use a 'Juneero' bending tool for curves etc.  Tubing needs specialised tools.
regardss Roy
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: T33cno on December 01, 2017, 12:55:04 pm
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/K-S-Tubing-Bender-Springs-1-16-3-16-Mini-Tube-Pipe-Bending-Spring-K-S-231/272935272873?_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D49481%26meid%3D2e60681fc63947f8b9d1912de97b59cf%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D322509904871&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: gerard on December 01, 2017, 04:00:20 pm
Thanks for all your info.
Gerard
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: Mark T on December 01, 2017, 05:30:05 pm
Hi Gerard I use both the Dubro benders and also springs.  I have found that both serve a purpose and both make very nice bends.  I take the point about releasing the springs from the tube and Baldrick is correct.  Just over bend slightly and then come back a bit.  They can also be loosened somewhat by twisting them in the direction that make the coils bigger. 


Another point worth knowing is if you want to do some really tight bends such as a coil.  I do this by blocking one end of the annealed tube with blutack and then filling it with water and sealing the other end off again with blutack.  Then I put it in the freezer overnight and once frozen I quickly make the coil and them simply let the water defrost.  It works okay for me.
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: Baldrick on December 01, 2017, 05:41:36 pm



Another point worth knowing is if you want to do some really tight bends such as a coil.  I do this by blocking one end of the annealed tube with blutack and then filling it with water and sealing the other end off again with blutack.  Then I put it in the freezer overnight and once frozen I quickly make the coil and them simply let the water defrost.  It works okay for me.


  Now that is a great idea. One I have never heard of before.
     I well remember going to Chatham Dockyard when it was still a working yard  (about 1952 ) and seeing them bending some 8" dia phosphor bronze tubing . They were doing it on a 4" thick steel table with a hydraulic winch and cable and the tube was lead loaded (filled) exactly the same principle , just a bit bigger.
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: T33cno on December 01, 2017, 05:56:08 pm
Hi Gerard I use both the Dubro benders and also springs.  I have found that both serve a purpose and both make very nice bends.  I take the point about releasing the springs from the tube and Baldrick is correct.  Just over bend slightly and then come back a bit.  They can also be loosened somewhat by twisting them in the direction that make the coils bigger. 


Another point worth knowing is if you want to do some really tight bends such as a coil.  I do this by blocking one end of the annealed tube with blutack and then filling it with water and sealing the other end off again with blutack.  Then I put it in the freezer overnight and once frozen I quickly make the coil and them simply let the water defrost.  It works okay for me.


Ingenious  :-))
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: Geoff on December 05, 2017, 01:49:27 pm
Sand can also be used for this method with the advantage you don't need to freeze it. Basically it stops the tube from collapsing in on itself.


Cheers


Geoff
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: Mark T on December 05, 2017, 05:01:07 pm
Hi Geoff I did try sand but discovered in the very small tube that we use it’s nigh on impossible to get out once you’ve made the bend. It’s also really tricky to get in. On a similar vein I also tried salt which worked quite well and once you have made the bend of you put the tube in hot water it dissolves so it’s easier to get out.
Title: Re: Bending Tools
Post by: Baldrick on December 05, 2017, 05:20:54 pm
 
 One advantage of using water and freezing it is that the water expands 9% on freezing so the pipe wall is not going to fold or crease.