Bentfab is going to get one of this.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot0Cx...layer_embedded

That tool is like, super useful, and SO AWESOME! Really, bent, go get one! Check it out.

Okay -- that's some pretty cool stuff....

Not useful for our hobby... but if a guy was making 10,000 pieces of something that would be the tool to have!

I bent this one up yesterday - for the Wilwood MC to the front splitter...

Forgot to finish what I was going to say ---- which is --- that machine would have spit this out in 5 seconds instead of the hour I spent!!


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_1823.jpg

That is cool.
Wonder what the programming for that is like?

I was thinking the same, it could work with AutoCAD or its own software.

Just be careful which end you get 'busy' with :lol:

"Anyone have a cork screw?"

"Yea, but you'll have to look away for just a sec..."

That's a production level bender. Mostly for furniture and fancy light fixtures.
That machine cost more than most project on Lat-g.

Greg, I'm impressed! That pretty cool work doing it yourself. :thumbsup: What tools did you used?

Oh.... I have a few tools.... just not the skills to use them.


This is every RIDGID 400 series bender from 3/16 to 1/2".

The "KEY" to bending is to understand the markings on the benders.... which is what most people never bother to figure out! There are marks on the bender for 0* - 45* - right of center - left of center and 90*..... so it depends on where you measured from and to... and how you translate those "measurements" to the marks on the bender. So the 3/16" tube bender - for instance - has a 0* mark and the RADIUS is 5/8" (as shown on the bender) - if you use the 0* mark you have to SUBTRACT 5/8" (the radius) from every measurement.... because setting up at 0* will ADD 5/8" to make the bend... But if you just measure say -- 3" --- and you're going to bend a 90* --- just set your mark (the 3") on the 90* mark of the tool and it will do all that adding and subtracting for you!

Like most things - it's really just understanding the tools used... and measuring correctly. Trust me - after saying all of that - I've bent many thing two and three times.... because it only takes one wrong set up and bingo - you've bent the tube the opposite direction of where you wanted to go! :lol: Or worse yet make a perfect tube and then forget to put the tube nut/sleeve on before you flare etc.



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/DSC_5599.jpg

So here's another trick --- note the "step" in this tube.... that's because I had to step over the frame rather than just drop straight down... to the tube comes from the master cylinder - bends 45 back to the firewall - then has to bend 45 to go "down" -- then the STEP out away from the frame....

To do that --- takes TWO 45's --- and those two 45's just need to be DOUBLE the amount of the step dimension. So I needed to step over about 3/4" -- so two marks -- 1 1/2" from each other - make a 45 bend -- flip it - make another 45 -- and you've stepped over 3/4".

If you have to step 3" -- then your marks are 6" apart.... and so on.

So here's the step over I was talking about -- I wanted it tight to the upper frame tube - but then the lower frame tube was inside that so I had to step the tube over.


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_1820.jpg



Another view.....



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_1825.jpg



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...IMG_1826-1.jpg



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_1831.jpg

Here's the marks I was talking about.....


When I'm saying "right" or "left" of center (the 90* mark is LEFT of center) -- thats the OUTSIDE of the tube is either to the right or left of the center of the tube that is being bent... so imagine a center line down the middle of the tube -- is the center of where you're trying to go measured to the outside of the tube to the left or right of it? So let's say you're running alongside the frame - and you have a crossmember you have to make a right hand 90* bend and you want the tube to be right up alongside that crossmember... then measure to the crossmember -- lets call it 15" -- make your mark -- then set the tube up to the "R" and that will put the right side of the tube at exactly the 15"..... So simple a caveman can do it. :rofl:


And you can see the 5/8" radius stamped clearly on the die... Good benders should have this info on them. Who can remember it -- I can't - and each one is different -- because my 1/2" tube bender is 1 1/2" radius....


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_1835.jpg

Greg, On the master cyl lines, I like to put two 90 deg bends just below the master cylinder to allow some flex between frame to the body. Helps avoid cracking a line. If I have room, I put at least two loops of tube like the factory did it.
David

I agree on the flexing... David... but where these are run - the way this subframe is made (a TCI unit) there won't be any flex right there - and it's sold mounted to the body - no rubber... so in THIS instance I felt I could get away with the cleaner "double 45's" which will allow some flex but not like the double 90's would do.

This sub is solid mount to the body - no bushings - and has the additional "up the front of the firewall" mount point. Pretty solid I think. <keeping fingers crossed>.

My Nomad has a double 90* --- for the very reasons you mention!

You can barely see the brake lines in this photo --- but they head out the master - take a 90 to the firewall - then a 90 back to the front before then drop... basically an "S".... but that frame is rubber bushings...



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC_7840.jpg

BTW --- Just so nobody gets the wrong impression..... These lines I'm showing are pretty simple stuff - 45's and 90's... whoohooo.....:willy:

Guys like Mark at Bentfab -- they have SKILLS.... Mad skills....

Just look at the plumbing on a nitrous system! There's no way I'd even START bending stuff up for something like that! I'd box that bad boy up and UPS it to Mark... and just pay the bill when he was all done. Period.

for a guy with no skills, I would hire you.....

:rofl: Give me a few more years -- I'm right in the middle of my retirement!

Thanks for the compliment btw -- but really -- a lot of this stuff - as you know - is "acquired skills". Most hobby guys might only ever build (complete builds) one maybe two cars... Sadly... I must admit to doing "many" -- too many to even count. The skills that the professional acquires doing work like this day in and day out - is far superior to anything I can do... and he'll do it in 1/3rd the time with less waste. Should I post a pic of my scraps so you can reconsider your offer? :D

I could but I won't.... :D It's my brother in laws 69 Camaro - Pro Street.... it doesn't belong on Lat G... and it's not a very exciting car. I'm just re-doing it for them with a TCI front clip - rebuilt the 383... new trans and converter... all new wiring - new heater... new seats - new dash and gauges... slicked the firewall and inner fenders. Normal rebuild stuff. Nothing to see behind those curtains over there... :rofl:



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_1141.jpg


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_1145.jpg


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_0739.jpg

Greg, you looking to adopt?

I'm house broken and handy in the garage :lol:

You're a lot closer to Charley, or Dave and Mary.... and I already have a dog...:rofl:

How is it that every thread on here becomes a Greg thread :question: :D :woot:

I would love to have a machine like that. That way I could make aftermarket tubing kits the way they should fit.

Only if Greg will sponsor the machine and do all my marketing for me I will then maybe consider it. But until then I will stick to my trusty eye and tape measure.

Mark

because greg is the MAN
He is the bow jackson of the car fabrication world / investing / everything else. He is probably working on perfecting cold fusion while he bends brake lines.
GREGWELD FOR PRESIDENT:hail:

nice- yep good info- I think I am below the 50% mark now...another measurement you must understand....buy twice as much and throw 1/2 of it away as misguided bends. but practice makes perfect um or better:thumbsup:

Yeah buddy.... or buy 3 times as much if your initials are GW.

What's up buddy??

No -- I'm just a post whore... :D

I heard somewhere Greg is the real admin of this site, he's the pupeteer behind every ''administrator''/moderator's post around here, so watch your words in front of him.

I'm kidding.

Weld, you heard bent, he wants you to sponsor the machine, and I haven't seen money around.

Mexy Fry --- If I sponsored every request I get on here, public or PM... I'd be broke by Friday! :lol: I'd be partners in half a dozen hot rod shops - I'd have built 10 cars and sponsored a dozen more. Of course I'd be happy to oblige all requests - it's my wife that's the bitch!

And I don't think she reads these posts ^^^

Don't be so sure Tracy, I'm thinking he was about to write something kinda worse, he wrote bitch because she was watching.

Greg(doesn't)Weld, maybe you just need to keep investing, I'm thinking you already own Mexico.

Nah -- she doesn't even like cars - unless they're new.... and this isn't Faceybook.... :D

You know, you could send the Mercedes to a shop, you know, to put an LS3, new subframe and wheels. Its only missing status updates! Or tweet the hell out of it.

I don't let her drive my Mercedes. To date - and I've owned it one year now - she has yet to get behind the wheel.

She has her own cars.

Buuut... You did high jack this thread:D Sooooo... there's gotta be some sort of obligation. Besides it's an INVESTMENT (which you are known for around here:hail: ) and you would make money.... right?

I don't need to build you a car I need to make you more money so you can build more cars.:woot:

Mark

I do fully admit to jacking the thread!

If you had one of these hi-zoot machines you'd lose your considerable skills...so in reality I'm protecting you by NOT buying it. :_paranoid :D

OOOOOO Greg.... Ever the one with the quick come backs. Buuut my CONSIDERABLE SKILLS would double the skill of the machine and quality of fitment and looks. Ha!:unibrow: