Shop Outfitters Bender Help

[elkriverfab]

Hey everybody,

I have a question......

I have been using a shop outfitters 2020 bender for a little while now.

My question is, does anyone have any tips on bending tubing and the best way to measure or compensate for bend radius and cut lengths.

I have used it many times but now I am needing to bend some more accurate projects from 1 inch square.

I like the bender and it has been very helpful with some projects but the manuals don't tell you anything about tube lengths or bend radius.

Its a wing it over trial and error thing.

It shows you how to set it up and bend but nothing else.

If anybody has a formula or any tips, on square and round tubing up to 1-1/4 this would help a lot!!!!

I know it my sound simple but with no tips or instructions showing explaining tube length and stuff, it is a pain.

The unit has no gauges, dials or numbers for bend angles.

I just wanted to see if anyone had any tips they would share or if they have used this bender.

Thanks everybody.

[jeeplogic83]

Try this site. This is pretty good stuff.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index.html

[Loyd]

I have designed and built several tubing benders over the years. I am attaching a "print" with some bender calculations that I derived from actual parts that we used to keep from wasting stock. I was a plant manager of a hunting treestand company for 5 years. We bent mainly 1" aircraft aluminum. If you study the print/formulas you may be able to adapt it to your situation. I would be glad to help you if I can.
Loyd

[elkriverfab]

Loyd,

I opened the DXF file and there is just a drawing with bend points.

Did you leave it like this so measurements can be added (my size of tubing) or am I missing something?

Just thought I would ask.

I too have been frustrated with wasting material by an inch or less when finished bending.

Do you have a file for a degree ring? I would love to add a measurement device to this thing.

Sometimes I am unclear on bend angle and where to place the tubing on the bending block.

I wish the company would have thought this out.

Their new model has all the bells and whistles.

Unfortunately I spent way to much on the set up with all the dies to be wondering how to do it correctly.

Any help would be great.

Thank you.

[Loyd]

Well, I thought it would print the text also. Let me try this.....

bender calc.jpg

http://www.hossfeldbender.com/video-tutorials/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavist ... ionalVideo
The pirate4x4 site is a good one to go to.

I will be more than happy to answer any questions that I can.
Loyd

[Loyd]

Here is a rough sketch of one of the production style benders I built. This one would bend 1" sq aluminum tubing to a 90 dg in 5 seconds. T6 aircraft aluminum .060 wall.
Very nice bends. 5 seconds includes loading, bending and extracting. This was a pneumatically operated model.
Loyd

[MQUICK]

Nice set up Loyd

[Loyd]

Thank you. I really had fun in those days. Building stuff and making things happen.
Nothing like working for yourself though. Lots more ups and downs but I don't want to
work for anyone else again if I can help it.
Loyd

[elkriverfab]

Loyd,

Here Here are a few pictures of the bender.

Shop outfitters new model has a degree ring but this one does not.

As soon as I bought this one, they upgraded to the new unit. *nice of them*

There are a lot of these being used but they did not offer a way to measure bends or place tubing in for repeat bends.

Let me know what you think and any help would be great.

*****Thanks Loyd******

[Loyd]

Ok I have a couple of ideas.....I'm gonna sleep on them. What is the diameter of the stop ring on the 20/20?
Loyd

[Loyd]

This is my initial idea. make an additional plate that mounts under your "stop plate". It should be about an inch larger in dia. Bend at the dotted line and mount on the vertical member of the bender. The notches are @ 5 degrees. This particular drawing is a 12" dia. On the bottom of this plate is mounted 2 blocks with horiz. holes which a rod can pass through which would have locking collars to hold a piece of metal that would swing up to act as a stop, then down to move out of the way of the lever bar.
I have a harbor freight model like this and also a di-acro #2 bender that I bend 3/8 brass tubing on with dies similar to yours. If I knew the dia. of your stop plate I could design it to be cut on your plasma cutter. I would also need the dimension from centerline to the upright post. Once this gets done, then we can start working on a spreadsheet with bender formulas.
Loyd

Hand-Bender.jpg

[elkriverfab]

Loyd,

I will get those measurements this evening.

I really thank you for helping with this.

It has been a challenge to say the least without a degree ring in this thing.

The 20/20 capable if some really nice bends and a degree ring would help a lot.

I will get the info to you this evening.

Again...........Thank you!

[Loyd]

If I knew what type of bends you were doing it would probably help when we get to the spreadsheet part. Do you do a lot of "U" shapes or "L" shapes? No problem on the help...I like challenges....Marine Corps saying: Adapt and Overcome!
While you are getting measurements give me the one from C/L of stop ring to C/L of the picket twister hole also. The diameter of the center die will be important for the calculations also.
Thanks,
Loyd

[elkriverfab]

Loyd,

C/L from stop ring to picket trister/ bending arm is 7.5 inches.

Ring diameter is just a little under 8-3/4 inches.

I drew it in your file and reposted it.

Please let me know if this is what you needed and what other info you need.

Thanks.

[Loyd]

I believe we can do something with that....
Loyd

[AIRFLOWKID]

Loyd,
I too have a Compact 20/20 bender. I would also like to thank you for taking on this project. I bent tubing for many years while in the HVAC field before my accident,but with crude measurements.(within 1/4 ")So a degree ring would be great great.I never agreed with Shop Outfitters that it did not make sense to make one.

Thanks for all you do!!,

Tim
Red Robin Creatives

[Loyd]

I really need the dimension from C/L of stop ring to inside edge of upright post. I am about ready to cut one of these things and try it on mine.
What is the dia of the center hole? 1/2,5/8,3/4?
Thanks,
Loyd

[Loyd]

OK, I have scrapped my present ideas for a much better one, I think. I built one of these today, It would work alright....but my jarhead brain started working overtime. Alas...such is creativity.....idea...scrap....new idea...scrap..ad infinitum, ad nauseum. The new improved version should work on any brand of compact bender. I am going to machine one for my harbor freight model to see how it works. I will keep you posted....I am on a mission.....vini, vici, creati..
So many projects, so little time...I hope to have one of these made by the beginning of next week.
Loyd

[elkriverfab]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the great help and the effort from Loyd.

This really helps a lot.

The bender I have is great but the absence of the degree ring has added a lot of un needed frustration at times.

Combined with no material bending instruction......

When I started this business like everyone else, I had so much to learn and figure out........

Cutting table, software, bending, forming, powder coating and not to mention DESIGNS!

I found that I bought a great bender but it was lacking a few details that were really needed.

It bends tube, flat bar, makes parts and awesome scroll work.

It is a good piece of equipment. But when you are trying to learn so much at once, wasted material is no good and not to mention offering a quality product as an end result.

Thanks a lot guys, and Loyd....... I will get all that info to you ASAP.

[Loyd]

Shawn,
You should get that part today. If it works, then we can begin to refine it with a pointer, better markings on the wheel, and a stop of some sort. Or, we may have to scrap and start over!? Who knows. Later it will have a decal to show degrees, attached is a sketch to show my idea how to read this particular one. Have fun!
Loyd

[elkriverfab]

Loyd........

It came today!

Great job!

I will try it out Monday.

I like how you left room to adjust the ring forward and back to center under the ring.

I will have to mark it some how with degrees and set it up with a pointer but it should not be that hard.

If this thing works, I don't see why not, this will be a great addition to that 2020 bender.

I will try it out Monday and email you back.

I tried to open the file (reading degree wheel) but I don't think it all came through.

Thanks again Loyd, you are a kind person to help with such a project.

You are a great person to have on this site (info, help and so on, Top notch person). Thank you!

As soon as I get a chance to try it out I will let you know.

Thanks again.
Shawn.

[Loyd]

Shawn,
I am glad you liked it. I hope it works. I did have a method to my madness on the notches. I will attach a jpg to explain how to read degrees on the wheel. At the bottom of the first "V" is 0 then each successive "V" is a multiple of 5. I hope it makes sense. Does the bender software work? I saved it to disk like a flashdrive.

reading degree wheel.jpg

[Loyd]

Hey Shawn,
Get anywhere on that attachment yet? When you get a chance send me a picture.
Thanks,
Loyd

[elkriverfab]

Loyd......

Installed it today!

I will start to bend tomorrow.

I just had to finish up some gates for a few customers.

So far everything looks good.

I will post some photos of the degree ring soon ( on the bender).

I will also let you know how everything goes tomorrow night.

Thanks,
Shawn.

[Loyd]

Cool,
I like to hear when you all are busy....that's good for all of us. I received several orders this last week for reels...I like it!
Looking forward to hearing if it works!
Loyd