After building my homemade tubing bender, i've been thinking that a 3 roll large radius bender would be nice as well. The constuction of the new bender would be fairly easy, but the bad part seems to be the $300+ price tag on a single set of 3 roll die's. I would like to have dies for 0.5", 0.75", 1", 1.25" square and round tube, but thats like $2,400 is die's So what i'm looking for is someone that can either get me a website that has lower prices for these standard dies or maybe some info on an alternative such as building your own. I imagine they'd have to be done on a lathe, which I don't own, but might be able to have access to if it comes down to it. If making them is an option, could you include info on what type of base material is needed (A-2, O-2 ?) and what shape can you get core material in (square, or circle if possible so you don't have to cut it down closer to circle shape before putting on lathe)? What is the process of heat treating? Anything else like impregnating teflon to help promote lubrication?

Here are some images of what I plan on building:

 

I can see how much I can get the dies for you. We make those benders for eastwood

 

awesome, thanks! Any info on how the acme screw engages the top flange and moving 'U' peice? It looke like about 3/4" aluminum for the flange, but are you directly tapping the aluminum with the acme thread? (excuse my lack of knowledge, but i'd think you'd want at least a steel for the thread with the forces being applied on the threads)

Also, does anyone have experience with machining tool steel and go into detail on the process described in my original post.

Thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Andy R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Also, does anyone have experience with machining tool steel and go into detail on the process described in my original post.

Thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>

Tool steel needs to be machined very slowly w/ plenty of coolant and at low RPMs.

 

EDIT: Double post cuz I suck.

 

i'm assuming to keep the heat down so it doesn't lose strength

 

It's also really hard so if you try to machine it too fast you'll just wear out/trash the endmill.