Anyone ever researched or have a mandrel tube bender that allows for a 1" radious bend on 2" or smaller tube but can also work with max 6" OD tubing? I want something that I can use to make small intricate bends for turbo headers but also big enough to make full exhaust for a diesle and chassis fabrication.

 

A 1" radius bend on a 2" diameter tube doesn't leave a lot of room for the bender.

 

A mandrel bender that can do 6" tubing you say? Sure, a company in my town makes a bender that can do that.

http://www.bii1.com/benders/mandrel/...el-benders.php

Not sure on pricing, but I can guarantee you its well north of 50 grand. Probably closer to 100.

 

Does is do 1" radius bends?

 

From the link...

So.. Yup.

 

Its just the die that makes it that tight of a bend

 

So the measurement is basically at the ID of the bend once it's completed?

 

For things like turbo headers, it's probably easier to just buy mandrel bent J or U tubes and cut and weld to the exact shape you want.

The cost of a tubing bender is cheap. The cost of a good selection of dies gets expensive.

 

Yes that is why you have a big die selection. Its not un-common to have 10, 15, 20 or more dies to choose from. Not only do you need a die for each ID bend but round and square tubing as well. That's when if you know someone with a lathe, they could make you a set of a coupple custom dies.

 

hit ebay, you can find plans for all sort of things like that to build.

I got a set of plans for a bender like that, but like said, its the dies that add up quick.

I can tell ya you can use one of those HF pipe benders you can get for $100 with a bunch of dies, the trick to them is fixing the dies, you must weld on more material and shape so they fit snug to the tubing your using up the sides. And then it will make nice smooth bends and not kink. Know a guy who uses one to build motor cycle frames.

 

Baighleigh makes some super nice stuff. Check out their vise clamp type tubing notcher. I want one!