Need some ideas on bending metal???

[CGCINC]

I need to bend some 3/8" round bar in 8" circles and weld together.
I have no clue and no tools to do that so what are some suggestions to accomplish this?

I just ordered a compact bender from HF just because I've always wanted to get it. I don't think this will bend a perfect circle, maybe if I take my time, but I need to bend several of these so I'm looking for speeed and consistency.

[Rambozo]

I need to bend some 3/8" round bar in 8" circles and weld together.
I have no clue and no tools to do that so what are some suggestions to accomplish this?

I just ordered a compact bender from HF just because I've always wanted to get it. I don't think this will bend a perfect circle, maybe if I take my time, but I need to bend several of these so I'm looking for speeed and consistency.

I've always used slip rolls with a groove for that kind of thing. Fast and consistent. Most other types I see can't do full circles, or if they do, they are hard to remove. How many do you have to do?

Here is the hand cranked HF version.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch...oll-36698.html

[fdcmiami]

3/8ths round bar is not much more than wire. if you take a couple of pieces of wood, cut them to app 7 1/2 in dia. attach to table, put stop in place to slide rod into, cut to 3 feet or use full length, wrap steel around wood. travel past starting point; the pieces can be tacked to hold the eight, then cut. cut to size. half inch reduction in dia. (ball park) is for spring back. you can use pipe, sheaves whatever. i would try to do it cold no heat.

8 inch diameter rings can probably be ordered.

[CGCINC]

How many do you have to do?

Here is the hand cranked HF version.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch...oll-36698.html

So how small can you make a circle with that?

I need about 8 of them right now and if it goes well, it could turn into a monthly thing.

3/8ths round bar is not much more than wire. if you take a couple of pieces of wood, cut them to app 7 1/2 in dia. attach to table, put stop in place to slide rod into, cut to 3 feet or use full length, wrap steel around wood. travel past starting point; the pieces can be tacked to hold the eight, then cut. cut to size. half inch reduction in dia. (ball park) is for spring back. you can use pipe, sheaves whatever. i would try to do it cold no heat.

8 inch diameter rings can probably be ordered.

I originally thought about cutting a piece of plywood to the size I need then cut one over sized to screw to it and then mount it on the welding table to hold in place. I just would like something a little easier and more permanent that is capable of bending many sizes without a lot of work to change around.

I never thought about buying the rings... Might be a st effective way to do it... Thanks

[Rambozo]

Buying is always the easy way. Iron fence places often have a large selection of steel rings.

You can make circles with an ID just slightly larger than the OD of the drive roll. With a groove, you can make rings that can't be removed from the roll without springing them open a little. If you do a lot, you can add a motor and a foot switch. No idea of the quality or lack thereof on the HF unit, but I'm sure you can check it out in person to see. A lot depends on the finished quality of the rings you are making, as to the best way to do them.

[CGCINC]

I checked Ebay for rings... I'll check some iron fence places, thanks!

[zoama]

Buying is always the easy way. Iron fence places often have a large selection of steel rings.

You can make circles with an ID just slightly larger than the OD of the drive roll. With a groove, you can make rings that can't be removed from the roll without springing them open a little. If you do a lot, you can add a motor and a foot switch. No idea of the quality or lack thereof on the HF unit, but I'm sure you can check it out in person to see. A lot depends on the finished quality of the rings you are making, as to the best way to do them.

Using the slip roll, could you keep feeding it until the coils wrap around the rollers eight times then cut them apart and weld the ends ?

[cbmkr]

We used to roll wire or rod around pipes or tubes into coils and then cut it into rings.
If you drill a hole in the tube or pipe and put a 90 deg bend on the end of the rod it will hook so you can roll it around the tube or pipe. I would try a pipe or tube about 7" in dia as the wire or rod will swell after it is wound to a larger dia.

The wire torch holder on my welding cart shown here was rolled with the same method.

[CGCINC]

We used to roll wire or rod around pipes or tubes into coils and then cut it into rings.
If you drill a hole in the tube or pipe and put a 90 deg bend on the end of the rod it will hook so you can roll it around the tube or pipe. I would try a pipe or tube about 7" in dia as the wire or rod will swell after it is wound to a larger dia.

The wire torch holder on my welding cart shown here was rolled with the same method.

Yes! Undersized and let it relax to the full size I need!!! I like it!

Also, I found some Forged steel rings that are 8" buty I actually need about 8 3/16". Is Forged any different to weld than common steel?

[Rambozo]

Yes! Undersized and let it relax to the full size I need!!! I like it!

Also, I found some Forged steel rings that are 8" buty I actually need about 8 3/16". Is Forged any different to weld than common steel?

Nope, if anything it might be a slightly better grade of steel.

[CGCINC]

Thanks for all the help guys!
I might order some of the forged rings just to see if they will work and go from there. They are $2.39 each which is not that bad considering all the work I need to do to make them myself.

[everlastsupport]

What are the rings for? Were did you find them for $2.40, that is pretty cheap with the labor. I might get some, sure I will use them somewhere. Bigger for the base of a welding cart to keep the tank from sliding, etc.

[CGCINC]

What are the rings for? Were did you find them for $2.40, that is pretty cheap with the labor. I might get some, sure I will use them somewhere. Bigger for the base of a welding cart to keep the tank from sliding, etc.

There is a new pet store opening in town. They want some artsy dog feeders for the store.

Here's a link.... http://www.kingmetals.com/Catalog/Ca...ogDetailId=921

[everlastsupport]

There is a new pet store opening in town. They want some artsy dog feeders for the store.

Here's a link.... http://www.kingmetals.com/Catalog/Ca...ogDetailId=921

Very nice find, of course I have not seen shipping yet Good luck on the bowl holders. And good idea, esp the water bowel..

[Rodsmachineshop]

this works good for making rings .http://www.harborfreight.com/compact-bender-38470.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=Fb7GDRd8LOg

[CGCINC]

Thanks for all the help guys! I made a circle jig yesterday and it works great for what I need!!
Check it out HERE!

[CGCINC]

this works good for making rings .http://www.harborfreight.com/compact-bender-38470.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=Fb7GDRd8LOg

Thanks for the Vid... I just ordered that compact bender so that will come in handy!!

[youngnstudly]

It looks like you made use of some scraps CGC! Very nice work. I have to say that from my experience with forming rings, the slip rolls are the most simple way of producing a ring (in a very quick manner) that is perfectly round. They only work on smaller rod diameters and thinner flat stock though. Also, in order to remove the flat spot left on the trailing edge during the forming process, you need to alternate which end you run through the rolls. This is assuming you are like me and want to cut the rod to the correct stretch out in the first place so you don't have to cut the excess rod off later. I have never seen the compact bender used as slip rolls (very clever idea!), but I would think that adding a speed handle of some sort (or possibly a motor) would make that setup much more efficient. It sounds like you're interested in that conversion after seeing the video, so I thought I'd mention that. Feel free to call me Captain Obvious if you wish. I've been called much worse, believe me!

I used a full size version of that compact bender years ago to make 14" ring from 3/4" solid round stock. That was back in high school, and needless to say the results were less than perfect! I used my eyes and followed a chalk line circle that I drew on the floor, and much time was wasted heating and hammering to make it round, smooth, and perfectly flat! Bend it a little, lay the ring over the chalk line, mark where it needs to be bent next, bend it more, check it again on the floor, etc. It did come out round, but never quite flat! Only took like 5 class periods to finish it too!