Bending big hoops on compact bender.

**aametalmaster** · 12th July 2012, 09:04 AM

Lots of guys have these benders and some don't really know what they can do easily. Heres how i do the big hoops from flatbar for industrial ladders with the safety cages. I lay out the metal with centerlines and where the radius starts and stops. Then draw lines 1 1/4" apart for the segments where it will be bent or tweeked prob is a better word. Then i make a pattern for the radius i want. Then i start tweeking 3 or 4 places at the first line and check it with the pattern. If its bent too much just spring it back a little and if it needs more just hit it again. After a few minutes you will get the hang of how hard to pull the handle because it doesn't take much...Bob

**Michael G** · 14th July 2012, 07:59 AM

Interesting stuff Bob. How well do those benders do a sharp corner on a piece of flat? (say 1/8" or 3/16", 1 to 1.5" wide). I keep looking at those benders because currently I hot bend to get a good corner and It would be nicer not to, but I tried a generic "made in another country" one out some time back and was disappointed.

Michael

**aametalmaster** · 14th July 2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Michael G

Interesting stuff Bob. How well do those benders do a sharp corner on a piece of flat? (say 1/8" or 3/16", 1 to 1.5" wide). I keep looking at those benders because currently I hot bend to get a good corner and It would be nicer not to, but I tried a generic "made in another country" one out some time back and was disappointed.

Michael

They don't really do a great job. I cheat on my sq corners i cut half way thru the long side with a bandsaw then bend and vee weld the cut. Then buff it smooth...Bob

**RustyArc** · 14th July 2012, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by aametalmaster

I cheat on my sq corners i cut half way thru the long side with a bandsaw then bend and vee weld the cut.

I've done the same thing folding 3mm sheet - using a guide, run along the bend line with an angle grinder with a thin cutting disk and score through about 1/2 to 2/3rds deep, it then bends easily to a nice sharp corner and I just run over the outside of the fold with the MIG

**aametalmaster** · 20th August 2012, 03:32 AM

Another pile of hoops...Bob

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