Here are the follow bar rollers for our hydraulic
tube bender. Plans
can be found here. We were not able
to find a source for these rollers so we are making the ourselves and offering
to our customers who purchase our bender drawings. Since most of the bender
parts are common hardware store parts it is now easier to build your own tubing
bender. Using two rollers with 5/8” through hole provides level follow bar
support but increases die pressure until the tube bends several degrees
limiting the bender to around 1.25” tubing. Using a single roller with ¾”
through hole centered under the radius die reduces initial bending force
allowing up to 2” tubing to be bent but requires separate support blocks under
the follow bar. Rollers are 1.75” OD cold rolled steel 5-3/4” long, lathe
squared and bored either 5/8” or ¾”. Use a pair of 5/8” bore rollers for 1.25”
and smaller tube, a single ¾” roller when more power is needed, or get one of
each roller and set the machine up to run as a double or single roller machine
just by pulling bolts and swapping rollers as needed
Part number HBROLLER625
1.75” O.D. x 5-3/4” with 5/8” through hole, Price is $20.00 each plus $9.00 for
shipping.
Part number HBROLLER75
1.75” O.D. x 5-3/4” with ¾” through hole. Price is $25.00 each plus $9.00 for
shipping.
Please note: These rollers
are shipped by USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate and we can combine several rollers
in a flat rate box for a single $9.00 charge to save on shipping cost.
A Dial Angle Finder with a magnetic base is the next
most important thing next to your bender and tape measure for bending tubing.
It is pretty easy to bend tube with a good bender and an Angle Finder. The hard
part is getting the tube turned to the right radial angle before bending
subsequent bends. The angle finder sticks on the tube just fine along the
length but will not stay put crosswise on the tube. The picture to the left is a super handy tool to set radial
angles on your tube. Just clamp the tube in the vee and your angle finder now
has a flat spot to stick to (actually two as the top and side can be used).
Part number ANGTOOL. Price
is only $30.00 plus USPS Priority Mail shipping
for 2 pounds.
To the left is a picture of the angle clamp in
action. Note how the tube fits in the vee of the block. A single screw secures
the clamp to the tube and now the angle finder can stick to the flat giving
accurate radial measure. After the first bend is done, put on the angle clamp
and use the angle finder (note: angle finder is not included with ANGTOOL) to
ensure the clamp is at the correct angle. Now, when you go to do your next
bend, you know for sure the tube is rotated the correct amount before you bend.