A Budget Way to Build a Tube Bending Die

[@jdsgarage701]

For more Information you can check out our website here. jdsgarage.bigcartel.com/

[@VirtualAdvocate]

Great concept. It is wonderful that you are helping creative, ambitious people go from the idea phase to completed project. There are a ton of hobby plasma tables out there. Most have a max table size of 60" x 120". Is there a reason for this limitation? I am interested in a table with a gantry (width) that will cut 96" wide metal (my pieces will be 96" x 152") Is this possible? Is it a matter of parts not being available, or a design restraint? I don't want to do a large volume of these pieces, just occasionally.

[@area1482]

That's amazing. I see a lot of people make tubing benders, but this is the first time I've seen a die build that made me think "OK, that works for a home shop". Even if you had to re-print the inner part once a year, it would still be awesome.

[@andytaylor8802]

Where did you get the STL and the Plasma file from?

[@DaveEtchells]

This is great! More and more people are discovering that 3D printed plastic can be used in a lot of high-force applications. As long as the plastic is well-supported, it can handle amazingly high loads. Others have made dies for press-forming sheet metal with excellent results. I think this is the next frontier for DIY metal fabrication tools. PD: it’d be great to see a build video for the tubing bender itself!

[@LostMyName15]

Had 3d printers since 2014. Been looking for a good, cheap tubing bender for almost as long as a DIYer. REALLY glad I found your channel today! I am already printing cores and will make the metal parts at work this week. Thanks!!!

[@robertflexen9302]

Howd it go?

[@patrickm.8425]

@@robertflexen9302 It exploded his whole shop!

[@mathewshackelford8037]

Man I love this video but unless someone has a 3D printer and that material and even the plasma cutter, they're NOT making this under $10. I still think that's an incredible use of a 3D printer, but this is not repeatable by 99% of DIY'ers. I'm still giving your video a thumbs up because it's still awesome.

[@TheUglyBronco]

Just a heads up, most public libraries have 3d printers available for public use

[@kihestad]

What a great idea! I don't have access to a plasma cutter, but I do have a angle grinder and a bench drill + a 3D printer, and I mostly print using PETG. I did not think PETG would be strong enough for this usage, this surprised me ☺️ I need a bender for 1inch / 25mm diameter pipes having 16gauge / 1.5mm wall thickness. I'll just have to try a 3D printed version now 😁 Thanks a lot for a great video!

[@1953fords]

Yes under $10 in material. But need access to cad program, plasma CNC table, 3D printer etc…. But sure nice die under $10👍🏼

[@murraymadness4674]

Brilliant! I have people ask me all the time where to get the die I use in my diy tubing bender video. Now I can refer them to this video.

[@valveman12]

I have seen videos of printed gears replacing metal gears in a lathe and they were quite resilient. Amazing you can make a bender dye using 3D printed components.👍

[@devil2jz500]

I modified a Harbor Freight “pipe kinker” die and I can bend .120” wall 1.75” DOM without issues. No waves, no kinks, no cracks. I also modified the other die to bend 1.625” (1-5/8) .134” wall. They all work! Make sure to use lots of oil while bending.

[@jhm5016]

More info on your mods please?

[@beno.-]

en argentina tienen harbor freight?

[@devil2jz500]

@@beno.- no se. Pero si buscas “Harbor Freight pipe bender” vas a tener una idea de cómo es y probablemente encuentres algo similar por ahí. No es una herramienta muy sofisticada y se puede hacer una usando un gato hidráulico.

[@C0RY.M]

Make a video. I'd like to see how you did this.

[@a.friend6428]

Will the plans for the tube bender also be available for sale?

[@petemiller519]

Really amazing project, I have never seen or thought of printing a die. Just one helpful suggestion from an old retired structural engineer, all bolts are designed to stretch, however under proper specified torque. Look up the torque specs for the bolt size and grade instead of using an impact. The impact may have yielded the bolts, or not have tightened them enough. In all honesty, those bolts may have been a little small and of lower quality. That would have been the cause of your die opening up when bending thicker walled tube. Love your video, subscribed. Cheers from Canada.

[@eklein3904]

Very clever guys…I had a JD2 bender and apparently the dies are machined with slight flats on the side to support the tube where it usually likes to deform, results were true round tube after bending, by printing your own this would also be achievable. Either way…great result. Cheers from Australia

[@OversteerEngineer]

Wow! I never thought that the plastic would be strong enough so that it doesn't deform. I was thinking about casting aluminum dies but this is way simpler.

[@robert5]

Wow! I never thought that the plastic would be strong enough??? Depends on what you want to bend. JD's even says it can't bend seamless DOM tube. Lots of people use ERW or electrically welded tube, it has a seam inside and is MUCH more easy to bend because it is MUCH less strong. I need to bend both. So I only use steel or aluminum dies. I build dune buggies and race cars and would use both DOM and ERW. But in any high speed use such as racing or a roll cage that your life could depend on what do you want to do? ERW or DOM? On a kids dune buggy that goes 20 mph ERW is fine but I probably would still make the main roll cage hoop out of DOM then use ERW for the rest. If your building a small buggy that will use a 90 hp snowmobile motor and will go 100 mph then come apart and kill you when it rolls and flies end over end, you going to build that with ERW? Not me, I am going to use DOM tube. Then there is 4130 chrome molly tube. Super strong, super expensive and hard as hell to bend. Best race cars are built with it specially in the EU. So these plastic fantastic dies don't actually seem so whiz bang great after you think about it. At least not to me. Build cheap dies? I would find some 1/2 aluminum plate sandwich it together with steel outer plates then use a home made fly cutter to do the profile I wanted such as 1.5 or 1.75. But I am a machinist so I can do that. I also save up $$ and then buy good steel dies but find used ones. Decently good aluminum dies are easily available even used on ebay. I have used them to build a simple bender that did struggle but could bend DOM tube. While bending the DOM tube the aluminum die had no problems, my 8 ton jack did though. Should have used a 20 ton air/hydraulic jack. Build a good bender with strong dies. Then if you need to pay for it rent it out. Or charge by the bend. After I built my first bender and word got out, I had lots of new friends who needed to bend tube, everything from exhaust tube to DOM tube. I said bring the beer and your tube and lets do it. Thinking back I should have charge them $$ not beer but oh well. They all still owe me favors now. Racing is like that, more people you know the more you can get done for cheap.

[@redneckexpress5575]

Awesome video and an amazing idea using the 3d printed parts. I would to be able to buy the files and even the plans for the bender if you have them. Great job on the video, thanks

[@lowelllogerwell5146]

I think you may have problems with die stretch because the holes are cut with the plasma. I would skip that altogether and drill them out - more precise and less stress on the metal itself. And is you can, use full bolts and nuts. May be a problem for clearance thought. Best of luck! loved the video!!!

[@toddmayta7615]

Awesome! Did you design and build the bender mechanism also? Would love to build one.

[@vanwaestel]

Works like a charm. I also 3D printed tool for bending aluminum tubes. 2 inch and 1 1/4inch with 3mm wall, radius 150mm works perfect. Thanks for idea!

[@chriss2295]

PETG is more than enough for thin wall tubing. Nice work guys

[@epjetta]

I built a custom die for my dad many years ago to bend some square tube for his mini b series subframes. I put it together the same way with bolted on side plates but I machined the center peice out of steel on a lathe I had access to at the time.

[@ThisIsToolman]

Excellent, clever use of 3D printing.

[@JoseRamos-su3ep]

You guys are awesome! I hope you break the internet!

[@TheeAbstractHero]

Did you design this bender yourself too? Looks simple to construct. If so I'd definitely be interested in plans.

[@slotterhauze]

I was a tool and die maker for years. We used bacon grease to hand tap and to cut threads on the lathe. Give it a try.

[@boltonky]

Super awesome and smart thinking, but as you pointed out the person who did the setup for the 3d printing knows there stuff an most people would have no clue the settings or correct code to use. I brought my 3d printer off a tool making an the things he could do/make compared to what i can do/understand as a novice (he even gave me some test prints an the files but i can't get them anywhere close to the standard he could do) Thanks for an awesome upload :)

[@tdmallet]

Man, that turned out great. Do you have a video, or plans on the plastic part of the die?

[@integra167]

Doing the lords work sir! I’m so excited to buy your plans for this!

[@iancooper5615]

Surely as you go up in diameter of tubing and strength, the gauge of the side metal should be thicker to cope with the extra force, plus thicker/stronger bolts too.

[@freeidaho-videos]

I am impressed that this works. Thanks for sharing. DOM is desireable because it is so much stronger, so it is understandable that it is harder to bend. But, there are more than 10 dollars worth of bolts, probably more than 10 dollars worth of PETG, and a few dollars worth of steel plate. And then you reused parts from the old die. Clearly an inexpensive die, maybe $30-$40, but not $10. Suggestion: Go to a pawn shop and buy dedicated end wrenches for your bender. Then weld on some hooks to hang all the tools needed for the bender right on the bender.

[@neffk]

I thought DOM was a manufacturing technique that could be used with a variety of alloys

[@freeidaho-videos]

@@neffkI suppose it can, but when someone uses the word DOM in the USA in fabrication circles it refers to steel tubing. I have been a fabricator and welder since 1967, and have never heard the term describe anything else. Next time you are in a steel supply place, ask to see DOM and see what they show you.

[@slicedbread9003]

Awesome work on the tube bender design and build. Those look like stainless steel bolts on that 1-1/2" die. You need to go to steel bolts. They are almost twice as strong as stainless.

[@thomasmilligan4215]

This is brilliant. I’ve purchased your plasma cutter plans, will you be selling the files for the various size of dies?

[@jdsgarage701]

We've got a bit more testing to do but eventually yes.

[@Earthy0]

YES! 👍😎👍

[@ayost62]

Now you should look into dimple dies and metal brakes made from 3d prints. I'm glad I found this channel lots of good ideas and I think you folks are close to me in ND.

[@paulkotowski4006]

A CNC Plasma cutter kid nice, but far from necessary. If you feel a CNC cut part is important, sub it out. This piece can be made entirely by hand, it may take a little more time.

[@ayost62]

​@@paulkotowski4006 Its all about efficiency and repeatability. If you are doing a 1 off sure but if you have to make 5 of something this saves you time. I run a router CNC, CO2 laser and 3d printers I can make parts to sell and tools for my shop at the same time.

[@frankthatank02]

Should state " for 10 dollars short of 10 thousand"

[@irishamerican4558]

No doubt.

[@h4z4rd42]

Wow, hanks for the idea. I have a bender but figured out lately the dies would cost almost as much as the bender did, but now, thanks to you, I have a solution! Is the center part printed solid? Or what infill rate and geometry?

[@andyb7754]

Nice looking dies and bender. Thanks for the interesting video.

[@chrischandler3770]

This is great! when were you hoping to have the files up for sale for these? I have all the tools to make these and would love to test them out

[@jdsgarage701]

In about a month or so they will be available.

[@gaatvr]

@@jdsgarage701 Any luck getting these die plans on the product page for sale yet?

[@bradsfedup2024]

I’d be interested in purchasing the plans and print file as well. Have all the tools to do this just horrible at the computer design

[@robconcep644]

Very cool pipe bender. Love the 3D printed die.

[@DustinApple]

Awesome. as soon as your plans become availible id love to have them.

[@ArtOfArmand]

Wait what?! Can someone get this dude instruction manual for a hammer? 🤘😂👍

[@irishamerican4558]

🤣

[@1607rosie]

JD you could use steal inserts for your bolt holes then you could torque the bolts but awesome build.

[@homemadetools]

Good work on this die. We shared this video on our homemade tools forum this week 😎

[@McDIY]

For those without a 3D printer do you think someone could use two sheets of 1/2" plastic and router it out with a 1" concave bit? For the plastic was thinking HDPE. But would HDPE be too soft?

[@1607rosie]

Love your ingenuity JD! Was surprised to see using a 3D printed part as a component.

[@jestho3503]

Really great idea! I have made drawings of a similar construction. But I was thinking of using oak. This is a better idea.

[@Earthy0]

Any word on when this design will be released? Almost time for a new winter project. 😉

[@design8studio]

Great job. Impressive. Please can you share details about the bending machine itself? Did you buy it or make it? If it's bought, where from and what specs? Thanks!

[@IvanJakesevic]

Great video. Didnt know that petg could whitstand that force.

[@joejoesmojo32]

I built that bender a couple years back from the gottrikes plans. Can you tell us what 3D printer works best for printing those die cores?

[@stefancveticanin4522]

Nice job! I would never expect PETG die to work. What is the model of a bending machine you are using? I like it since it bends vertically, it is easier to measure the angle.

[@jdsgarage701]

It's a homemade bender.

[@KRGraphicsCG]

Dude, i freaking LOVE printing with PETG and i actually need to build a bending die for a 1/4" aluminium rods...

[@normdickson2438]

That’s just awesome I would love one of those dies

[@walterbargersr3402]

2 JD garage. Best videos I've ever seen on KZbin on building crosscart. Thank you for these videos and information on how to.. I deeply appreciate that and also all the research that you do share to the KZbin Community and specially to me. Question where did you get that tubing Bender with the hydraulics did you build it or did you purchase it. if you have any information on the tubing Bender machine can you please share that with me I would like to find out where I can pick one up at just like that. God bless to you your family and all your friends thank you sincerely Walt. God bless brother.

[@jdsgarage701]

We built the tube bender, more information about it will be available in a future video.

[@agbhargihad7325]

this would be a use for aluminum casting using the plastic as a plug..

[@freedthebeast4973]

I did hear about 3D printing sheet metal press. But Bending machines with 3D printing blows my mind

[@srmofoable]

Seems to me that installing bushings around the bolts would let you really tighten the bolts without deforming the plastic. Relatively cheap upgrade and could be just as easily be made from some tube

[@James-d9s7v]

Have you ever considered using these as a mold and casting an aluminum version? It would probably hold up longer. Also you have any interest in making a 1.625" and 1.75" die?

[@whereswilly6780]

Do you have plans/files available for the bender and these dies please. Great video 👍🏼

[@jdsgarage701]

Not currently but they will be soon.

[@BigBlueMotors]

Thanks for sharing your experience and expertise. Are you planning on selling the dxf files for the dies and 3d printer files for a nominal fee on your website?

[@jdsgarage701]

We've got a bit more testing to do but eventually yes.

[@Earthy0]

Can't wait until you release them. I already bought the plasma cutter plans. Keep up the great work! 👍😎

[@MarkCarr331]

This is awesome. Is the file for the core available for download or sharable? I'd love to build a 1" and 1.25"

[@jdsgarage701]

Currently it is not but it will be soon.

[@jima4656]

How much would you charge me to plasma cut plates & print cores for a die that takes 1" tube at a 3" radius? I can handle the drilling & tapping.

[@TheDistur]

Very interesting. Hadn't considered that fabrication method.

[@daipower1]

Very clever, i have a baleigh 125, are there any plans available to make dies for these. I have a plasma cutter but no experience with 3d printers

[@INFIDEL82AA]

Very impressive! I'm surprised with how perfect that it turned out. Thank you for sharing that!

[@kevinschilling6813]

in reference to the 3D printed centers... what was the % of infill and # of permitters. Is there a specific infill pattern that works better than others?

[@lilliandavis8227]

When you cut that out I could see what needs to be done to build your own die. Just cut the next one one eighth small then the next one a eighth smaller and so on till you get half the demetion you need then cut Sam different size for the other side bolt them all together and a little grinding and there you have built your own die.

[@iansalmon1292]

This is super budget friendly

[@roberthosking7524]

Brilliant! How much for a 2.375 die? Just want to bend chainlink fence posts.

[@thedoingnotthedone]

Brilliant. Thankyou fur sharing that hard won knowledge

[@superbroncgt5502]

An improvement would be to run sleeves so that the bolts can be preloaded. That would make stretching less likely.

[@firstmkb]

Nice build!

[@demarcopayton275]

You are the MAN!! Thank you

[@bonovoxel7527]

Ok I have a JD clone from MSW based in UK. I'll draw and print one and let you know, I'd rather see a PETG die a 38x2,5mm without dieing the die itself. I can afford the loss if it doesnt work, but I have one only bend to do over 100° and gotta try. I'm using a cold drawn normalized pipe for oleodynamics which should be the equivalent of DOM. E235 N. I'll be f*** if I have to take one only tube in a shop after having bought a proper bender!

[@Mike-xt2ot]

Absolutely awesome work sir.

[@cagedruss]

Couple of things. Where do purchase your 1/4 plate? That is more than $10 US ea plus the material for the print. Plus fasteners. I'd say closer to $40 but still pretty cool as long as you had a plasma table and a 3d printer and know cad. Not like it is in everyone's garage yet. Next, do you have to drop the follower out every time to remove the bent material from the bender? If so that would be a nuisance.

[@jdsgarage701]

If you purchase the steel at a reliable steel supplier it is much cheaper. Around $6-$7/sqft for 1/4" both plates fit onto 1sqft of material. The die uses around 300g of PETg which goes for around $15/kg. You don't have to remove the follower, it makes it easier to remove the tube when you make large bends.

[@rogerlabbee6625]

Do use specific manufacturers for you filament choice or any quality filament?

[@homesteadfromscratch]

JD, would there be any benefit to a) alternate the sides every other bolt so the heads are opposite to counter any stretch of the bolt? snd b) gluing/epoxy the two halves and the steel together to solve the DOM issue longterm?

[@MrTinkerer1]

What's your infill percentage?

[@bobhalstead1879]

The plasma cutter and printer are exotic tools.probably cost 3 timesmore than a bender with 8dies each.my bender cost 1200 with 8 dies.i have built 2 dies using3/8 plate and cheap emt bender heads.they are aluminum.i used grade 8 bolts.

[@bobhalstead1879]

I mounted my bender horizontal 36 inches high .much easier to use ,esp. On roll cages and frame rails.

[@jdsgarage701]

The cnc plasma cutter in the video was under $500. A 3d printer isn't an exotic tool. They are common place and can be had for under $100.

[@gibka.39]

.. ломал голову" где и у кого заказать гибочные формы.. а тут дядя" со своей идеей.. Респект удачи в начинаниях.

[@jwiereng]

Do you make the die radius same as the OD of the tube? Or a slight ellipse ?

[@trishstefanuk5619]

Thank you for the great video, have you thought or tried to build a die for square tube?

[@jdsgarage701]

It will be in the next video regarding the dies.

[@mathewmolk2089]

Plastic! 180 degrees too. Never would have believed it.

[@jerryblankenship9908]

I like that , But I don't have a 3D printer, That is cool

[@jerryblankenship9908]

What wood you charge to cut the parts & use your 3D printer For 1 1/2'' tubing

[@jdsgarage701]

We aren't selling the dies.

[@transformationproject3583]

You can buy all kinds of circular steel round discs off ebay if that helps anyone. Ive bought several. Now im eyeing this plasma cutter.

[@ebenwaterman5858]

Why didn't the CNC plasma cutter thread the 1/4 20 holes while it was at it?

[@mrmidnight32]

What bender is that? Also do you have the CAD/plans for these dies? Or the F3d file available?

[@jdsgarage701]

It's a home made bender that we made a while back. The files are currently not available.

[@1990notch]

I'm thinking your tap could be getting dull towards the end, due to the hardness of the plasma cut holes.

[@theautodidacticman_]

How much would you charge me to cut everything out and mail it to me in a kit that needs assembled? I don’t own a C&C so this is the only way for me. Thanks for the cool video and thanks for your time.

[@jdsgarage701]

Send the channel in email (in the description) and we can work something out.

[@Benbear2022]

If you guys have time please make some . Would love to make it. I’m interested in bending tube for making a go kart, but also EMT for routing electrical in my shop and family’s. Would your bender be able to bend 4” emt conduit?

[@stevenketchum6593]

you should use longer bolts... industry standard is having 1.5 threads past for full engagement.

[@davidwright3840]

Great idea, was wandering if the 3D printed part would be available to buy ?

[@jdsgarage701]

The printed cores are not available. The files to make your own will be soon.

[@JustinWooton]

How do you determine what the radius is on the bend? Like, how aggressive can you get?

[@tomsarmiento-gt7kc]

Hello im very interested in your process did you build the 3 d printer ? if so are you open to help people one ?

[@332ARA]

Any ideas on a mandrel? I'd like to build a machine to do 3/4" x .062 square mandrel bends.

[@tommydean9414]

To keep the plastic from melting you can throw everything but what your welding in a tub of water

[@KobusBreed]

Is High Tensile Bolts & Nuts not an option? Greetings from South Africa.

[@donbaseball1]

Hi, I want to build a 180 degree, 1-1/4 sch 40 pipe die. A couple questions: are the outside steel sides the same on all dies for the model 32 bender? Can you build the plastic 3d parts for me, and what would it cost? Thanks.

[@NorthernFabandMachineLLC]

What did you use for a follower?

[@bvm7661]

When are the plans and dies going to be available?

[@MatthewWright-y9t]

You could prob make and sell a mold to pour a resin cast of the 3d part and template for the steel for those which no cnc