The Tool I Should Have Built Years Ago!

This simple little bender is going to be super handy, check out how I made it.
***Affordable self-paced welding courses taught by me***
courses.timwelds.com
Here are some affiliate links to products that I used in this video. Any purchases through these links provide a small commission to support the channel at no cost to you.
Tap Magic Cutting Fluid: amzn.to/3r2Hmdz
Tap Guide: amzn.to/3F70wDR
Tap and Die Set: amzn.to/3HLARSZ
Cordless Angle Die Grinder: amzn.to/3F6fcDl
Discounts:
Use the discount code 'timwelds' at the following companies to save some green on good stuff:
*Welding Machines and Accessories:
usaweld.com/?ref=timwelds (5%)
*Weld Practice Metal and Kits:
weldmetalsonline.com/?ref=048... (10%)
*Chop Saws and Magnetic Drills:
evolutionpowertools.com (varies)

[@TimWelds]

You can learn to weld. I'll show you exactly what to do in my affordable online welding courses at courses.timwelds.com.

[@randomschittz9461]

Where do you get your metal?

[@glowytheglowbug]

you have to make a video dedicated to making triangles PLEASE

[@MidasOriginal]

use more tap grease and you should break less taps you barely put any on there

[@kancelas]

Breaking taps is easy when you put so little lubrication. Also for removing burs you should be using a larger drill than the full diameter of the screw you're using on the burr side, this applies to all screwsheads, but specially chamfered screwsheads.

[@databang]

Hi TW, I just wanted to thank you for taking time to go over the steps of your vocation without skipping details. I’m sure you do your best to not leave the viewers flapping-in-the-breeze and it really shows. While there are some channels that make useful tools that can be inspiring to watch, they don’t offer any details which makes your channel a great reference and learning experience for many people trying gain these skills. I appreciate and wish your channel the best. Piece!

[@peanut71968]

Solve the distance between pins issue by making “sleeve-overs”. Same inner diameter, sufficient enough to slide over your pins, but different outer diameter sized from small to large according the round stock diameter, or the flat stock gauge thickness.

[@coreyperez13]

Could you just cut some flat bar and use it to "absorb" the distance, thus allowing for the larger space?

[@petercoutu4726]

Adding the sleeve-overs would also allow for a better surface finish, avoiding the dragging on the surfaces.

[@tomherd4179]

That was my 1st thought as well.

[@mattslajchrt3838]

Maybe You could fit a ball bearing on one or even both pins, the surface finish should be way better, however I'm not sure how many bearings would be needed to keep the tool versatile. But for repeated tasks, I'd give it a thought

[@actualsurfer]

You beat me to it!

[@kenpruvit1037]

5:29 Don't put pins closer together , just slide a bushing over the pin to take up space, you could also slide a bushing over the other pin for a slightly bigger radius bend

[@jean-pierredeclemy7032]

You got there before me :)

[@davidschmidt6013]

Comments from knowledgeable folks like you are why I always read the comments. Thanx!

[@ForestWoodworks]

I love how Tim reveals his mistake and critiques it, then everyone genuinely comments on how to correct or do a work-around with the current finished piece. Now, everyone has more insight and Tim has ideas for further videos and exploration. Love it!

[@arosswelding]

Me too! Like you said, it’s good for everyone’s insight! Everyone is better because of it!

[@de0509]

Thats what I like with engineering. Theres always something to be improved. And its not necessarily improvements. Sometimes each design has their pros and cons, so the dilemma is not on whether to make it better, but to choose what exact features you prefer more

[@aries6776]

Yes, it's really helpful. I feel like too many youtubers want to create the illusion of perfection and we miss out on all the learning mistakes that everyone makes!

[@ForestWoodworks]

@@aries6776 For sure! My videos are deep dives into the art of making mistakes and figuring things out lol

[@TheAefril]

@@de0509 brilliant observation of the problem I encounter with Backyard Engineering.

[@ronaldmorrison2765]

After you have drilled the first hole to the 5/16" size, remove the drill from the chuck and chuck the tap in place of it. Use the chuck wrench to turn the chuck by hand as you press the tap into the hole. Guaranteed to be started straight. Once started, release the tap from the chuck while still threaded into the hole and use the tap wrench to finish it.

[@danielfield3580]

Most attempted forward drive is usually about 1/2 -3/4 turn, then backoff turn 1/4 turn to clear chips, use tap lube on that thickness to make easier and cleaner taps. I'm no expert ,but have found this to be very beneficial, and lesser chance of breaking taps.

[@G53X0Y0Z0]

@@danielfield3580 - With a good industrial quality tap that is still sharp and a proper hole size, having to back the tap up and cut a little at a time should not be needed. Reasons you may need to use your procedure is because the tap is low quality, or you have a once good but now worn out/dull tap, the hole size is too small or not straight (curved hole), or the tap was not started straight. It doesn't hurt to use a good tapping oil, the best kind depends on the metal being used. I'm sure there is plenty of online info about that. Oil with sulfur is really good for ferrous metals, Ace Hardware used to sell stuff that works well, it actually makes a significant difference. Newly cut threads should look nice and smooth, not rough and torn looking. Most taps sold in stores are junk for cutting new threads, they do okay for using as a thread chaser and restoring dinged up threads. Places such as MSC Industrial and McMaster Carr are a couple of places to buy good industrial quality tools. Taps should have sharp cutting edges, a good magnifying glass can help verify the condition. Cheap taps are not generally very sharp even when new, and just don't cut well at all. If you are using a tap as a thread chaser, being dull is not necessarily a problem, as the dull tap will reform the out of place metal instead of removing it. When you have a good tap, a good hole, and the tap is lined up with the hole, most people would be surprised at how little torque is needed to tap a hole. Some people might say it doesn't matter or that I don't know what I'm talking about, but I have a manufacturing business and we have literally tapped millions of holes, sometimes using a tap for 1,000's of holes before retiring it.

[@dogslobbergardens6606]

@@G53X0Y0Z0 Great post. If you're going to go cheap on anything in the shop, buying cutting tools is definitely NOT the time to do it. Taps, drills, whatever... get the good stuff. It's worth it. "Buy once, cry once" as people say.

[@boostismagic]

I tapped many under power on the ol' Bridgeport!

[@glenv5436]

Great job! Here's a couple pointers for ya. Use a chamfer bit after you drill you tap sized hole. This helps the tap start, and no deburring afterwards. Also try a 2 or 3 flute tap instead of a 4 flute tap. 2 and 3 flute are much stronger for creating threads. 4 flute is better for repairing or chasing threads.

[@pcorona394]

Professionally done, no unnecessary comments, short and to the point; great work!

[@memirandawong]

What I especially like, is that you're one of the first that admits you don't use / have all the latest wiz-bang tools when showing us how to make things. This is in keeping with the reality of many of your viewers, myself included. Often times, frustrated, I'm like "...yeah, well if I had a $8,000 whatever..." I could make this thing too. LOL.... You keep it simple and keep it real. I like that.

[@zobook]

Agree. He uses a power saw witch is a good thing to cut fast and effortless but you could get the same result with a handsaw and elbow grease.

[@AK99581]

The tools to get a press fit really aren't that expensive.

[@theeverydaymakers]

When you mentioned that you'd wished you'd make the pins closer, the way you made it two pieces that slide together, it would seem you're actually better off that you think. You could make a second small piece to swap them to let you accommodate for different size materials when you want it. Good project!

[@TimWelds]

Great idea! I think I may do that.

[@kingplumber]

Or you can make a bushing to slide down over one of the posts to decrease the distance.

[@4legdfishman]

@@kingplumber I was going to say this. You beat me to it. Great idea. 👍

[@luminousfractal420]

can use spacers (some cutoff tube) over the pins to make them wider

[@wolw66]

My tap kit includes three taps in every size, start, middle and finalizing tap. My tap kit was my fathers, +40 years old, never broke a tap.

[@4legdfishman]

Great project! I'll need to make one of these for myself. One thing... Shoulder bolts have a slight radius and don't seat perfectly in holes. If you countersink your holes prior to tapping, you'll eliminate the need to deburr and the shoulder bolts will seat properly and be less likely to snap. Thanks for sharing!

[@Mcdevilbird]

Thank you for saying both mm and inches. Makes it easier for the rest of the world to enjoy your videos :)

[@dcsensui]

Instead of drilling and tapping, then installing bolts, you could also drill for plain steel pins. Insert the pins about 2/3 of the way into the steel plate. Then weld the pins in place from behind. You sort of did that anyway. This would eliminate the need to thread the hole.

[@OOMAN]

Great little fixture! If you want to stop breaking taps, you need to use the correct drill size for the material you're tapping. Using a 5/16" drill for a 3/8"-16 tap is fine if you're putting it into Aluminum, Brass, Plastic, etc., where you want a 75% thread. The correct drill size for steel is a "Q" (0.332) drill, which will give you a 50% thread, which is standard for steel. That 0.020" might not seem like a lot, but it makes a huge difference when tapping holes. If you don't have letter drills, you should at least use a 21/64" drill which is only 0.004" smaller than the Q. Spend the money on the correct drill, it's a lot cheaper than breaking taps...

[@jamiecarter5291]

Just made one this afternoon following your guide. Work’s absolutely perfectly and I feel like I’m some sort of fabrication God 😂 Thanks so much 👍

[@DStein-jn9ls]

I really enjoy practical videos like this! Thank you for the details!

[@TimWelds]

Thanks a ton!

[@RobytheFlorentine]

I like that you make the videos in a very natural way. Takes off a lot of pressure from who has to redo your projects :-)

[@JohnDoe-in1nx]

I'm thankful for this demonstration! A neat, solid, practicable and easy to build tool, adapable to one's own bench vice. Also thanks to the commentators suggesting the use of bushes for variable pin-distance. Perfect for me!

[@sbarmiueenl]

I know nothing about this craft and I'm fascinated by your work. Love your enthusiasm!

[@jackdaniels4400]

This guys video about bending metal is by far the best. hes straight to the point no music to do ya head in very easy to watch and learn

[@FrustratedBaboon]

5:35 Place a pipe sleeve over it to avoid slipping. Make some slide on sleeves.

[@arosswelding]

I love it! Slick! Nice job!!! I’m definitely going to have to build me one. Thank you for the idea!!

[@atsernov]

A tip for tapping holes, get yourself a HSS countersink drill bit and put a bit of a chamfer on the hole you will tap. It makes starting a smidge easier and you'll have no burr to clean up after tapping. Also, if you make the chamfer a little larger than the thread size it'll give it a nice look and make the bolt easier to start.

[@general5104]

You can cut 1" pieces of steel, different diameters and drilled to one size bigger than the pin size. spread the pons further apart, and Drop that spacer onto the pin for more different bend radiuses. You've got a nice bender. Just add this to it and it will round it out to a fuller bender. (I'm a tool designer, retired, and in my seventies.)

[@tajmahal3466]

Done it again, Tim! Easy to follow and no BS,

[@bojack2740]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video

[@user-wq4pv4dn3b]

Pick a good spot and make a post for your vice weld a base plate to it (drill Bolt holes first and then make fixing plate for your vice and bolt it all together and you have a very stable mounted vice. When using Tapps always warm them up in warm water when it is COLD . Cold makes them Brittle. Have fun. There is a guy on youtube here in Australia called CEE or Cutting Edge Engineering he is really worth watching.

[@stevenlarsen1691]

I always chamfer my hole before tapping the threads. It makes it easier to start the tap and gives a better, stronger fit up. To change the gap I use my 1/2" drive sockets or bushings that works even better. Great video. Thank you.

[@jasondk5127]

Another way to avoid breaking taps is use 2 or 3 fluted taps, they have thicker webs between the flutes. Now there is a drawback that fewer flutes creates more tool pressure. Great tool think I'll make one! Thanks!

[@manandatractor]

I'm seeing all kinds of possibilities here with your bender; Different diameter pins, additional holes in the main bar to change spacing, maybe a little flat bar bending.

[@RathaSochenda]

Cool trick. Who needs a press fit when you can do a thread fit. Love it. Learn something new today and smashed that 👍 button!

[@aj7utu]

Unlearn this and learn to make a press fit.

[@DG-hw5zy]

Cool tool I think I’ll make one. But I won’t use cap bolts or tap the holes or anything fancy. Just going to weld some rods into the holes. Cheers!

[@ke6bnl]

I guess you could get some larger bar stock and center drill it to slip over the pins and use it on either pin to make larger diameter bend or prevent the shorter bar from coming out.

[@TimWelds]

Great idea! I think I'll probably do something like that. It would probably make the bend a little easier by acting as a roller also.

[@kerrygibbs8198]

Tim, this was a great video. It was easy to follow. Thanks for including dimensions. You also gave a a great tip… use shoulder bolts. Thank You!

[@Johnny-jn5kf]

Great job on the video Tim perfect timing for my situation too Thanks much

[@paulmoskevitz5418]

Pretty good project! Try C’Sinking the holes before tapping it will help with starting the tap. Go a A little heavier on the backside then you have a weld prep already there!

[@DewaSenapanIndonesia]

You work very conscientiously, it's a pleasure to find your videos, may God bless your life. in from Indonesia 🤝🇮🇩

[@henmich]

4:35 Dude! That tap handle is glorious.

[@sarcasmo57]

I will make one of these. Didn't realise how much I needed one. Thanks.

[@JohnBurnet1]

Fit some roller bearings over the pins. great idea 👍

[@cadecarp11]

I was trying to make a consistent Bender for some slingshots I make. It did not go well I think I'll give this a try. Love the shoulder bolt technique.

[@Wastedswan]

you should also have 2 pins coming out the bottom of the jig that will slot into your welding table.

[@greggb1416]

Nice fabrication..., sooo simple, and great piece of kit... Thank you.

[@TimWelds]

Thanks!

[@xavil6341]

love that you used the metric system as well. thank you. After 10mm you can start using cm and it will be easier to understand with more manageable numbers

[@trace6402]

Dinner time! My favorite sound.

[@TimWelds]

My thoughts exactly!

[@alfrose9831]

I love simple tools like this ! Thanks Tim👍

[@TimWelds]

No problem!

[@frankobrien9124]

thanks Tim for your clear instructions & measurement's ,cant wait to make one.regards.

[@reddriver2925]

Nice Job Steve ,A Tool That Is Always Needed

[@pappysproductions]

I appreciate your videos and demeanor

[@1944GPW]

I make tap guides from an old bolt, where the shank is of course larger than the tap diameter. Hacksaw to 2/3 of tap length Chuck it in the lathe, face off any tensile grading embossing off the hex head down to half original head height then centre drill and drill through the appropriate diameter. The hex head flange now provides something for your fingers to press down upon when tapping.

[@Calligraphybooster]

Nice little project! With a few stubs of pipe or anything similar that slips over them you could vary the effective distance between the pins.

[@mc4492]

Awesome bender. Simple and looks like it works great. Will try and make one. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@TimWelds]

Thanks!

[@SAHBfan]

An American that gives dimensions in METRIC as well as inches? 😵😵😵😵😵 There is hope in this World! 😎

[@llapmsp]

Nice project. Thanks for sharing.

[@313Mark]

Great channel bro, taught me so much 💪🏾

[@jerryjeremy4038]

Very good invention very simple and easy to do. Thanks for sharing

[@raymondwebb1506]

Very good product and well made , great job

[@barry7608]

Thanks it’s food for thought, even like the triangle, I’ll make one as a call to dinner as I have a large block of land

[@Jigs774]

Thank you for sharing this video ❤

[@renatomsgomes]

Thanks for your metric kidness!!!

[@danielchambers1958]

Another great one Tim….. I have holes in my welding table for 16 mm bolts….. I need to drill more holes closer together…… sure needed this tool last week…. Used the vise very carefully….. thanks buddy👍✅

[@TimWelds]

Thanks Daniel!

[@melgross]

One hint about taps. NEVER, and I mean NEVER buy “hand taps”. I know, supposedly, hand taps are for tapping by hand. But actually, they’re just easier to make, and so were the first type of taps that were made. But they’re also the worse kind of tap. They require the most pressure to tap with, and as you mentioned, they require that half back turn every forward turn, or so, to clear the chips. Instead, buy spiral point taps. They cut one continuous length of material, which is ejected through the rear of the hole, forwards to the cut. They’re also known as machine taps, and occasionally, gun taps. Because since they cut continuously, they can be used under power. But these are great for hand tapping. You get smoother threads, and with less torque needed, there is less tendency to break them.

[@TimWelds]

Very cool! I'm going to have to check out some spiral taps. Thanks Mel!

[@tigerseye73]

Absolutely correct Mel. When I can, I buy the spiral machine taps. You can use a common drill press, set to low speed. I leave the v-belt drive slightly loose to allow for stall in case there is a jam, which rarely happens with spiral taps. Be sure to use a liberal amount of Tap Magic before starting the cut. If the drill press is properly trammed to 90 deg. to the table, you get a perfect tapped hole.

[@melgross]

@@tigerseye73 yup. I installed a three phase motor in one of my presses with a VFD drive. It’s easy to vary the speeds, and reverse it. For people who have never machine tapped, I have to warn you to strongly clamp the work to the table, and make sure the table is tightened down securely. You’d be surprised at how much force even a 6:32 tap exerts vertically! Even if you have a heavy, 60 pound vise on the table, not held down, the tap will lift that vise right up, at an angle and break the tap. It could easily spin a smaller vise around.

[@pufango4059]

It’s not a problem if you know how to use them. I’m assuming you’re a bit heavy handed and don’t have the skill to use hand taps ?

[@melgross]

@@pufango4059 I think you’re insulting and don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve hand tapped more holes over 55 years then you will have even seen.

[@richhemmings]

I read that adding a small chamfer with countersink to the drilled hole will help with tapping. Has worked for me!

[@MichaelJones1527]

I like seeing someone make their own tools.

[@boondogglers9512]

Thanks for the video!

[@toycoma98]

Cool, that would be useful making exhaust hangers. I need to bend 3/8 bar, Thanks for the idea.

[@fredrossman1189]

good job. You made it simple. Thanks

[@howegav]

Great video. Thanks for uploading it.

[@garygerard4290]

THAT is a real nice project!! thanks

[@ganeshnarayan5505]

Really good idea thanks for sharing.

[@billarroo1]

I've never seen a "tap guide", that's also a great tool. Thanks

[@donalfinn4205]

Well done! Going to make one. 👍☘️

[@stormman8393]

Your video's are always first class

[@xlillo6175]

An easy solution to close up your bend radius is to get some thin wall spacers that have an ID that is increasingly larger and slip them over the shoulder bolts. Once you have a set of several sized spacers you could redesign the dimension to increase the distance of the bolt centers to be more ideal for the desired bends you want to make.

[@mukmarkes4151]

Thank you very much. Will rebuild this from high density plywood and necked screw to bend small rods. No more vice marks on my rods and tighter angles.

[@leonardoquitola1890]

Thank You from the Philippines

[@FingerJam12]

I did the same, seen one for sale for well over $100. I just made it. I welded the round bar from the bottom. I may tap several hole locations later if I need. Cool video thanks.

[@ron1martens]

Excellent Tim. I'm quite inspired. Lots of rain here at the moment. I need to build a cover as I do most my welding semi outdoor. So once I have my semi outdoor setting in place or finer weather I will resume my welding projects. Also I plan on purchasing a European proffesioa stick welder. I do have a mid range proffesional mig, tig stick welder. I also have a starter kit dc stick, welder which doesn't give a constant power and causes stops in my runs which is rather annoying. I bought a heavy duty earth which may help a little although my engineer friend recently purchased a European stick welder which he is quite pleased with. I'm also thinking of buying a 36 volt hikoki grinder which will be a nice assesory to my 1700 watt metabo grinder as it also has a speed setting for different applications. Once again, thanks for uploading. Appreciated.

[@emilyreid652]

I’ve been meaning to make one of these for years. Now that I have a great guide, I’m finally going to do it. Thanks again for another awesome video

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

Nice video, right to the point.

[@markhicks8377]

cleanest metal shop ive ever seen

[@roberthosking7524]

Love this channel.

[@48laws45]

Show of hands ...how many of us have also come to the same realization of flawed logic due to lack of data and have no other explanation of Why we did what we did other than "it looked about right at the time" 😂 I know i have 😂 to err is human indeed! Bravo man, fantastic videos, very informative and to the point. detailed, respect to the people that recognize the value of passing the torch and providing a candle in the dark!! Thanks so much bravo to your work and your efforts.

[@rubenMarquez37]

thanks for all the tips you give us.

[@TimWelds]

No problem! Thanks for the comment!

[@user-gd2om5cs7r]

Love this! I’ve been looking for an idea for how to make a ring bender (jewelry) - all the commercial products are cheaply made and expensive! Many of the diy ideas are way out of my skill set. This, I could at least borrow the physics of it as well as some of the great suggestions in the comments. Thanks all!

[@generessler6282]

I made one of these years ago. One additional point is to harden and temper the pins if you have the means. Otherwise they'll wear pretty quickly. Lubricating the moving pin probably helps too.

[@WiIdbiII]

I was about to rip on your tap handle , then I realized it was ratcheting. Pretty cool.

[@KrillMister57]

Simple, pretty, usefull! 10/10

[@phillipcraggs6202]

I made something similar 20ish years ago. It was to bend up some round bar handles and hooks, simple but time saving.

[@donbell8187]

Spiral point taps make life easier for tapping.

[@327365hp]

Nicely done!

[@messylaura]

i used two pins like these but i drilled two holes in the pins and slipped them onto a round bar just to keep them in line, then you have a completely adjustable distance between the two pins. you put the two pins in the vice jaws with the holding bar under the jaw out the way, you can now use the pins on their own at any distance along the jaws or you can add slip over rounds to increase the diameter of the bends, i use the dies from a metal bender i got from ebay as a parts lot, you cam make your own by drilling out round stock. i also made some flat bar fit around the dies as slip on covers to make up any special sized radius needed you can make a bending bar with either a forked end or just leave it as an open bar to bend the stock. a more versatile tool if you want to make larger radius, add some oxy acetelyne to make it very easy,

[@BDL090754]

Just had to subscibe, Thank you very much, I really like the the way you explain and tutor us amatuers.

[@classicmanlifestyle]

very nice, great instructional video. Don't have a use for the tool but still want to make it haha.

[@johntheoldmod]

great video and love the humour at the end

[@joemelton81]

Very nice. I like your style. simple and good

[@T3glider]

When you rang the bell, I salivated.

[@donsundberg5730]

You have most of the equipment to do a press fit. You have a drill press and drill bits. The drill press is the expensive part to get a perpendicular hole. What you need is a reamer. Nice job with the build.

[@felixf5211]

Exactly. Ream the hole and press in the pins.

[@gckshea]

Fab2Ku makes awesome jigs and benders for tubing, flat bar and round bar. So simple and pretty easily duplicated. Clever guy.

[@TimWelds]

I'll have to check them out! Thanks!

[@joem9380]

Great job!